Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882
Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 is here in full — 365 sentences across 73 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882
Context Illustration Reading 1/73 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SCHEME.
"Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."
"Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.
"Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"
"Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."
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.

Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 is here in full — 365 sentences across 73 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/73 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SCHEME.
/ðə skiːm/
Line 2
"Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."
Line 3
"Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.
Line 4
"Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"
Line 5
"Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

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.

fellers noun US /ˈfelərz/

plural of “feller” — a person who fells trees

From this reading “"Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."”

hugged verb US /hʌɡd/

inflected form of “hug” — hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness

From this reading “"Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.”

musing noun US /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading “"Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.”

rocked verb US /rɑːkt/

past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading “"Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.”

tend verb US /tend/

have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading “"Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."”

Toby noun US /ˈtoʊbi/

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

From this reading “"Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."”

wagons noun US /ˈwæɡənz/

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading “"Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.”

wink verb US /wɪŋk/

signal by winking

From this reading “"Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."”

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.

sharp point adjective + noun

In this reading “"Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.”

in order preposition + noun

in a state of proper readiness or preparation or arrangement

In this reading “"Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.”

come down verb + adjective

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

In this reading “"Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"”

come out verb + adjective

appear or become visible; make a showing

In this reading “"Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."”

All words in this reading · 98

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 "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

afterwardadverbUS /ˈæftərwərd/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

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 "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

Atwood's

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

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

BobverbUS /bɑːb/

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

causenounUS /kɑːz/

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

companionnounUS /kəmˈpænjən/

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

don't

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

fellersnounUS /ˈfelərz/

plural of “feller” — a person who fells trees

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

fro

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

gamenounUS /ɡeɪm/

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

hain't

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

hosses

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

how

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

huggedverbUS /hʌɡd/

inflected form of “hug” — hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

I'll

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

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

I-spy

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

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/

of great significance or value

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

jestnounUS /dʒest/

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

kneesnounUS /niːz/

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

meetin

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

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

musingnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

nothin

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

rocknounUS /rɑːk/

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

rockedverbUS /rɑːkt/

past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

SCHEMEnounUS /skiːm/

an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading THE SCHEME.

seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

tendverbUS /tend/

have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

tentnounUS /tent/

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SCHEME.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

TobynounUS /ˈtoʊbi/

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

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

wagonsnounUS /ˈwæɡənz/

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

we'd

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

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

winkverbUS /wɪŋk/

signal by winking

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Will you come down with me to Bob Atwood's, an' see what he says about it?"

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes; but you see we hain't got a tent, or hosses, or wagons, or nothin', an' I don't see how you could get a circus up that way;" and the speaker hugged his knees as he rocked himself to and fro in a musing way on the rather sharp point of a large rock, on which he had seated himself in order to hear what his companion had to say that was so important.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

you'd

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

From this reading "Why, we could start a circus jest as easy as a wink, Toby, 'cause you know all about one; an' all you'd have to do would be to tell us fellers what to do, an' we'd 'tend to the rest."

you'll

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

From this reading "Yes, I'll do that if you'll come out afterward for a game of I-spy round the meetin'-house."

Chapter 1 of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 by Various holds 365 sentences, grouped into 73 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 1 of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 365 sentences of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882, unabridged, divided into 73 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 by Various exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 365 sentences, grouped into 73 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 1 of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882?

Work through the 73 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 73 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882

Common questions about reading Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 by Various on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882?

Yes. All 957 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #56677 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #56677, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 take to read?

About 79 minutes of reading across 192 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 section by section

How to work through Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 2 chapters of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882 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 Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882

Words and structures a reader meets early in Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Scheme
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Start
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Circus
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cause
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Harper's Young People, April 4, 1882; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.