Chapter 20 of Held to Answer: A Novel is here in full — 422 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XX
Chapter 20 of Held to Answer: A Novel is here in full — 422 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious. His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look. "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones. "Let us stand, please!" The congregation stood.
Chapter 20 of Held to Answer: A Novel is here in full — 422 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
United States author whose works were frequently autobiographical (1876-1941)
From this reading “"Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.”
pertaining to or characteristic of apoplexy
From this reading “His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.”
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading “His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.”
a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
From this reading “The congregation stood.”
inflected form of “sag” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading “His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.”
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
From this reading “"Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.”
plural of “wattle” — a fleshy wrinkled and often brightly colored fold of skin hanging from the neck or throat of certain birds (chickens and turkeys) or lizards
From this reading “His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.”
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading “John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.”
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.
In this reading “His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.”
In this reading “His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.”
In this reading “John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.”
In this reading “"Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
United States author whose works were frequently autobiographical (1876-1941)
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
pertaining to or characteristic of apoplexy
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
From this reading The congregation stood.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "Let us stand, please!"
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
being perceived or observed
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading "Let us stand, please!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
inflected form of “sag” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
be standing; be upright
From this reading "Let us stand, please!"
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The congregation stood.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
in or at that place or location
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Let us stand, please!"
under normal conditions
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
plural of “wattle” — a fleshy wrinkled and often brightly colored fold of skin hanging from the neck or throat of certain birds (chickens and turkeys) or lizards
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading His pouchy cheeks sagged; there were huge wattles of red skin beneath his chin, and his whole countenance had a more than usually apoplectic look.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Brother Anderson will lead in prayer," announced the Elder in unctuous tones.
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading John noticed that the Elder looked worried and over-anxious.
Chapter 20 of Held to Answer: A Novel by Peter Clark MacFarlane holds 422 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.
Chapter 20 holds 422 sentences of Held to Answer: A Novel, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 20 of Held to Answer: A Novel by Peter Clark MacFarlane exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 422 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.
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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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.
Common questions about reading Held to Answer: A Novel by Peter Clark MacFarlane on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 8277 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #44633 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #44633, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 600 minutes of reading across 1656 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Held to Answer: A Novel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 20 chapters of Held to Answer: A Novel to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Held to Answer: A Novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
