Holiday stories

Chapter XXV

Chapter 25 of Holiday stories is here in full — 99 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Ruth Lamb • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

LIKE FATHER UNLIKE SON.

"AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

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 XXV Reading 1/19

Holiday stories

Chapter XXV

Chapter 25 of Holiday stories is here in full — 99 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

LIKE FATHER UNLIKE SON.

/laɪk ˈfɑːðər ənˈlaɪk sʌn/

Line 2

"AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

Line 3

You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

Line 4

You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

Line 5

Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

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.

anybody pronoun US /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading “You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.”

coat noun US /koʊt/

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

From this reading “You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?”

dressed adjective US /drest/

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading “You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?”

gentleman noun US /ˈdʒentəlmən/

a man of refinement

From this reading “"AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?”

grandfather noun US /ˈɡrændfɑːðər/

the father of your father or mother

From this reading “You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.”

swagger verb US /ˈswæɡər/

to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others

From this reading “Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.”

unlike adjective US /ənˈlaɪk/

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading “LIKE FATHER UNLIKE SON.”

week noun US /wiːk/

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading “You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?”

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.

fine fellow adjective + noun

In this reading “Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.”

big enough adjective + noun

In this reading “Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.”

good enough adjective + noun

adequately good for the circumstances

In this reading “You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.”

know better verb + adjective

In this reading “You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.”

All words in this reading · 54

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 "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

a-setting

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

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

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

From this reading Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

broadclothnoun

a densely textured woolen fabric with a lustrous finish

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

coatnounUS /koʊt/

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

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

dressedadjectiveUS /drest/

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

else

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

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

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

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

FATHERnounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading LIKE FATHER UNLIKE SON.

fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/

a boy or man

From this reading Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/

a man of refinement

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

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

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

grandfathernounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðər/

the father of your father or mother

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

Grimblethorpe

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

From this reading Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

isn't

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

From this reading Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

LIKEverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading LIKE FATHER UNLIKE SON.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

SONnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading LIKE FATHER UNLIKE SON.

swaggerverbUS /ˈswæɡər/

to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others

From this reading Grimblethorpe isn't big enough for a fine fellow like you to swagger about in.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

UNLIKEadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading LIKE FATHER UNLIKE SON.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

weeknounUS /wiːk/

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading You think you know better than anybody else, and that what has been good enough for me—and my father and grandfather too, for that matter—is not good enough for you.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "AND so you want to be a-setting up for a gentleman, do you?

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You are going to be dressed up in broadcloth on week days, and work with your coat on, are you?

Chapter 25 of Holiday stories by Ruth Lamb holds 99 sentences, grouped into 20 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 25 of Holiday stories contain?

Chapter 25 holds 99 sentences of Holiday stories, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 25 of Holiday stories by Ruth Lamb exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 99 sentences, grouped into 20 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 25 of Holiday stories?

Work through the 20 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 20 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 25 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 25 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 Holiday stories

Common questions about reading Holiday stories by Ruth Lamb on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Holiday stories?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Holiday stories is used?

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

How long does Holiday stories take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Holiday stories section by section

How to work through Holiday stories section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 0 chapters of Holiday stories to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Holiday stories

Words and structures a reader meets early in Holiday stories, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1: One of the 0 chapters of Holiday stories, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2: One of the 0 chapters of Holiday stories, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3: One of the 0 chapters of Holiday stories, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.

Chapter XXV

What does chapter 25 of Holiday stories contain?

How do I study chapter 25 of Holiday stories?

Can chapter 25 be read aloud to me?

Questions about reading Holiday stories

How to read Holiday stories section by section

Open a chapter

Read one section

Listen and tap

Vocabulary met early in Holiday stories