H.M.S. ----

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of H.M.S. ---- is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By John Graham Bower • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

"I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

"Where did I leave my coat?"

The Senior Engineer rose and followed them out, hearing as he passed through the door an unwearying voice by the stove--"I know a chap on Beatty's staff, and he says they'll fight next spring or summer."

THE GUNLAYER.

"_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter II Reading 1/85

H.M.S. ----

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of H.M.S. ---- is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

"I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

Line 2

"Where did I leave my coat?"

/wer dɪd aɪ liːv maɪ koʊt/

Line 3

Line 4

THE GUNLAYER.

Line 5

"_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

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.

chap noun US /tʃæp/

a boy or man

From this reading “The Senior Engineer rose and followed them out, hearing as he passed through the door an unwearying voice by the stove--"I know a chap on Beatty's staff, and he says they'll fight next spring or summer."”

clock noun US /klɑːk/

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading “"I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.”

Engineer noun US /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

hitting noun US /ˈhɪtɪŋ/

the act of contacting one thing with another

impress verb US /ˌɪmˈpres/

have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

From this reading “"_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.”

Senior adjective US /ˈsiːnjər/

older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service

staff noun US /stæf/

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

stove noun US /stoʊv/

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

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.

most important adverb + adjective

In this reading “"_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.”

passed through verb + particle counted as “pass through”

make a passage or journey from one place to another

In this reading “The Senior Engineer rose and followed them out, hearing as he passed through the door an unwearying voice by the stove--"I know a chap on Beatty's staff, and he says they'll fight next spring or summer."”

glance at verb + particle

In this reading “"I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.”

at the clock preposition + article + noun counted as “at … clock”

In this reading “"I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.”

through the door preposition + article + noun counted as “through … door”

impress on verb + particle

In this reading “"_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.”

keep on verb + particle

allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature

In this reading “"_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The Senior Engineer rose and followed them out, hearing as he passed through the door an unwearying voice by the stove--"I know a chap on Beatty's staff, and he says they'll fight next spring or summer."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

Beatty's

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

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

chapnounUS /tʃæp/

a boy or man

clocknounUS /klɑːk/

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

coatnounUS /koʊt/

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading "Where did I leave my coat?"

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading "Where did I leave my coat?"

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

EngineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

fightverbUS /faɪt/

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

guestnounUS /ɡest/

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

GUNLAYER

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

From this reading THE GUNLAYER.

hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

hearingnounUS /ˈhiːrɪŋ/

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

HitverbUS /hɪt/

cause to move by striking

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

hittingnounUS /ˈhɪtɪŋ/

the act of contacting one thing with another

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/

of great significance or value

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

impressverbUS /ˌɪmˈpres/

have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

Jim

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

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

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

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

leaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading "Where did I leave my coat?"

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Where did I leave my coat?"

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

passedverbUS /pæst/

past form of “pass” — go across or through

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

rulenounUS /ruːl/

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

SenioradjectiveUS /ˈsiːnjər/

older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service

springnounUS /sprɪŋ/

the season of growth

staffnounUS /stæf/

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

stovenounUS /stoʊv/

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

they'll

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

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

unwearyingadjective

showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

warnounUS /wɔːr/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading "Where did I leave my coat?"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "_Hit first--hit hard--and keep on hitting_, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important.

Chapter 2 of H.M.S. ---- by John Graham Bower holds 428 sentences, grouped into 86 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 2 of H.M.S. ---- contain?

Chapter 2 holds 428 sentences of H.M.S. ----, unabridged, divided into 86 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of H.M.S. ---- by John Graham Bower exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 428 sentences, grouped into 86 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 2 of H.M.S. ----?

Work through the 86 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 86 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

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Common questions about reading H.M.S. ---- by John Graham Bower on this page, its source edition and its audio.

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Yes. All 2966 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #34190 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #34190, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does H.M.S. ---- take to read?

About 247 minutes of reading across 594 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Chapter II

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