Fourth Down!

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of Fourth Down! is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Ralph Henry Barbour • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

“No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby.

“Hold on, though!

Guess I’ll keep it.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter VI Reading 1/33

Fourth Down!

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of Fourth Down! is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

Line 2

In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

Line 3

“No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby.

/noʊ θroʊ ɪt ɪn ðə ˈbæskət ˈænsərd ˈtoʊbi/

Line 4

“Hold on, though!

/hoʊld ɑːn ðoʊ/

Line 5

Guess I’ll keep it.

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.

Arnold noun US /ˈɑːrnəld/

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading “In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.”

basket noun US /ˈbæskət/

a container that is usually woven and has handles

From this reading ““No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby.”

forgot verb US /fərˈɡɑːt/

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading “In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.”

needless adjective US /ˈniːdləs/

unnecessary and unwarranted

From this reading “SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.”

nine noun US /naɪn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading “SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.”

signals noun US /ˈsɪɡnəlz/

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading “SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.”

throw verb US /θroʊ/

propel through the air

From this reading ““No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby.”

Toby noun US /ˈtoʊbi/

a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat

From this reading “SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.”

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.

next morning adjective + noun

In this reading “In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.”

on the floor preposition + article + noun counted as “on … floor”

In this reading “In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.”

In fact preposition + noun

in reality or actuality

In this reading “In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.”

forgot all verb + adjective counted as “forget all”

In this reading “In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.”

Hold on verb + particle

hold firmly

In this reading ““Hold on, though!”

All words in this reading · 57

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 In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

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 In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading “No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

ArnoldnounUS /ˈɑːrnəld/

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

askedverbUS /æskt/

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

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

basketnounUS /ˈbæskət/

a container that is usually woven and has handles

From this reading “No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

forgotverbUS /fərˈɡɑːt/

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

GuessverbUS /ɡes/

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading Guess I’ll keep it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

HoldverbUS /hoʊld/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “Hold on, though!

I'll

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

From this reading Guess I’ll keep it.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

needlessadjectiveUS /ˈniːdləs/

unnecessary and unwarranted

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

ninenounUS /naɪn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading “No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

SIGNALSnounUS /ˈsɪɡnəlz/

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Hold on, though!

throwverbUS /θroʊ/

propel through the air

From this reading “No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

TobynounUS /ˈtoʊbi/

a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

Tubb

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

Tubb's

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

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading In fact Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.

Whitson

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

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading SIGNALS Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to George Tubb did not get written.

Chapter 6 of Fourth Down! by Ralph Henry Barbour holds 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 6 of Fourth Down! contain?

Chapter 6 holds 169 sentences of Fourth Down!, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of Fourth Down! by Ralph Henry Barbour exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 6 of Fourth Down!?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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 Fourth Down!

Common questions about reading Fourth Down! by Ralph Henry Barbour on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Fourth Down!?

Yes. All 4798 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #63892 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Fourth Down! is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #63892, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Fourth Down! take to read?

About 399 minutes of reading across 960 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Fourth Down!

Words and structures a reader meets early in Fourth Down!, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Fourth: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Fourth Down!; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Fourth Down!; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dirigible: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Fourth Down!; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ought: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Fourth Down!; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter VI

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