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Hilda: A Story of Calcutta
Hilda: A Story of Calcutta

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta is here in full — 206 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.
"But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.
"One springs at some people."
A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.
But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Hilda: A Story of Calcutta

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta is here in full — 206 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.
Line 2
"But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.
/bʌt ðiːz θɪŋz hæv soʊ ˈlɪtəl tuː duː wɪð mɪr leŋkθ ʌv taɪm ɔːr ˈnʌmbər ʌv ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz ʃiː dɪˈklerd/
Line 3
"One springs at some people."
/wʌn sprɪŋz æt sʌm ˈpiːpəl/
Line 4
A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.
Line 5
But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

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.

commented verb US /ˈkɑːmentəd/

past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on

From this reading “That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.”

Howe noun US /haʊ/

United States editor (1920-1993)

From this reading “That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.”

interrupting verb US /ˌɪntərˈʌptɪŋ/

-ing form of “interrupt” — make a break in

From this reading “A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.”

Lindsay noun US /ˈlɪndzi/

United States playwright who collaborated with Russel Crouse on several musicals (1889-1931)

From this reading “That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.”

Middleton noun US /ˈmɪdəltən/

English playwright and pamphleteer (1570-1627)

From this reading “But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.”

opportunities noun US /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/

plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading “"But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.”

pillared adjective US /ˈpɪlərd/

having pillars

From this reading “But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.”

springs noun US /sprɪŋz/

plural of “spring” — the season of growth

From this reading “"One springs at some people."”

All words in this reading · 89

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.

3

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

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

Alicia

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "One springs at some people."

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

Behari's

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

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

chancenounUS /tʃæns/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

commentedverbUS /ˈkɑːmentəd/

past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

declaredadjectiveUS /dɪˈklerd/

made known or openly avowed

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

else

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

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

followverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊ/

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

Hilda

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

HowenounUS /haʊ/

United States editor (1920-1993)

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

interruptingverbUS /ˌɪntərˈʌptɪŋ/

-ing form of “interrupt” — make a break in

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

LanounUS /lɑː/

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

LanenounUS /leɪn/

a narrow way or road

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

LindsaynounUS /ˈlɪndzi/

United States playwright who collaborated with Russel Crouse on several musicals (1889-1931)

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

Livingstones

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

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

Major-Generalnoun

a general officer ranking above a brigadier general and below a lieutenant general

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/

being nothing more than specified

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

messengernounUS /ˈmesəndʒər/

a person who carries a message

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

MiddletonnounUS /ˈmɪdəltən/

English playwright and pamphleteer (1570-1627)

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "One springs at some people."

opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/

plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "One springs at some people."

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

pillaredadjectiveUS /ˈpɪlərd/

having pillars

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/

formality and propriety of manner

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/

plural of “spring” — the season of growth

From this reading "One springs at some people."

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

streetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

SundaynounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading "But these things have so little to do with mere length of time or number of opportunities," she declared.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading But perhaps this is enough to explain a note which went by a messenger from the Livingstones' pillared palace in Middleton street to No. 3, La Behari's Lane on Monday morning.

wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading A Major-General, interrupting, said he wished he had the chance; and they talked about something else.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading That same Sunday Alicia had been able to say to Lindsay about Hilda Howe, "We have not stood still--we know each other well now," and when he commented with some reserve upon this, to follow it up.

Chapter 9 of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta by Sara Jeannette Duncan holds 206 sentences, grouped into 42 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 9 of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta contain?

Chapter 9 holds 206 sentences of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta by Sara Jeannette Duncan exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 206 sentences, grouped into 42 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 9 of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Hilda: A Story of Calcutta

Common questions about reading Hilda: A Story of Calcutta by Sara Jeannette Duncan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

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Yes. All 4799 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #18051 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #18051, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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

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How to work through Hilda: A Story of Calcutta section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta 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 Hilda: A Story of Calcutta

Words and structures a reader meets early in Hilda: A Story of Calcutta, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Pushed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Portiere
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Aside
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Curved
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Hilda: A Story of Calcutta; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.