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Holiday Stories for Young People
Holiday Stories for Young People

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Holiday Stories for Young People is here in full — 122 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CEMENTS AND RIVETS.
"How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.
"I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.
"I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."
"She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Holiday Stories for Young People

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Holiday Stories for Young People is here in full — 122 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CEMENTS AND RIVETS.
Line 2
"How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.
Line 3
"I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.
Line 4
"I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."
Line 5
"She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

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.

admiringly adverb US /ædˈmaɪrɪŋli/

with admiration

From this reading “"She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.”

elbows noun US /ˈelboʊz/

plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading “"I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."”

Grace's noun US /ˈɡreɪsɪz/

possessive form of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading “"I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."”

grit noun US /ɡrɪt/

a hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone

From this reading “"She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.”

jaunt noun US /dʒɔːnt/

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading “"I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."”

rivets noun US /ˈrɪvəts/

plural of “rivet” — ornament consisting of a circular rounded protuberance (as on a vault or shield or belt)

From this reading “CEMENTS AND RIVETS.”

stalking noun US /ˈstɔːkɪŋ/

a hunt for game carried on by following it stealthily or waiting in ambush

From this reading “"She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.”

Wainwright noun US /ˈweɪnraɪt/

a wagon maker

From this reading “"How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

addressingverbUS /əˈdresɪŋ/

-ing form of “address” — speak to

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

admiringlyadverbUS /ædˈmaɪrɪŋli/

with admiration

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

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 "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading CEMENTS AND RIVETS.

arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/

the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

bringverbUS /brɪŋ/

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

cannot

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

From this reading "I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.

CEMENTS

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

From this reading CEMENTS AND RIVETS.

chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

consentnounUS /kənˈsent/

permission to do something

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/

a female human offspring

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

Dr

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

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/

plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

familynounUS /ˈfæməli/

a social unit living together

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

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

From this reading "I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

fro

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

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

generallyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəli/

usually; as a rule

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

Grace'snounUS /ˈɡreɪsɪz/

possessive form of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

gritnounUS /ɡrɪt/

a hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading "I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.

Harriet

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

helplessadjectiveUS /ˈhelpləs/

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

How

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

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

isn't

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

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.

JacknounUS /dʒæk/

a small worthless amount

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

jauntnounUS /dʒɔːnt/

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

keptadjectiveUS /kept/

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

musinglyadverb

in a reflective manner

From this reading "I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

planverbUS /plæn/

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

RIVETSnounUS /ˈrɪvəts/

plural of “rivet” — ornament consisting of a circular rounded protuberance (as on a vault or shield or belt)

From this reading CEMENTS AND RIVETS.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.

She's

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

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

stalkingnounUS /ˈstɔːkɪŋ/

a hunt for game carried on by following it stealthily or waiting in ambush

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

stayverbUS /steɪ/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading "I cannot tell how it happened, father," she said, musingly.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

WainwrightnounUS /ˈweɪnraɪt/

a wagon maker

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

we've

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

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 "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

wife'snounUS /waɪfs/

possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading "She's clear grit, isn't she?" said the doctor, admiringly, stalking to and fro in his wife's chamber.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading "How did we ever consent to let our middle daughter stay away all these years, mother?" said Dr. Wainwright, addressing his wife.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I think we drifted into the arrangement, and you know each year brother was expected to bring her back Harriet would plan a jaunt or a journey which kept her away, and then, Jack, we've generally been rather out at the elbows, and I have been so helpless, that, with our large family, it was for Grace's good to let her remain where she was so well provided for."

Chapter 12 of Holiday Stories for Young People by Margaret Elizabeth Munson [Editor] Sangster holds 122 sentences, grouped into 25 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 12 of Holiday Stories for Young People contain?

Chapter 12 holds 122 sentences of Holiday Stories for Young People, unabridged, divided into 25 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of Holiday Stories for Young People by Margaret Elizabeth Munson [Editor] Sangster exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 122 sentences, grouped into 25 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 12 of Holiday Stories for Young People?

Work through the 25 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 25 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 for Young People

Common questions about reading Holiday Stories for Young People by Margaret Elizabeth Munson [Editor] Sangster on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Holiday Stories for Young People?

Yes. All 3444 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #16648 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Holiday Stories for Young People is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #16648, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Holiday Stories for Young People take to read?

About 287 minutes of reading across 689 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Holiday Stories for Young People section by section

How to work through Holiday Stories for Young People section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 13 chapters of Holiday Stories for Young People 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 Holiday Stories for Young People

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

Company
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Holiday Stories for Young People; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Receipts
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Holiday Stories for Young People; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Remember
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Holiday Stories for Young People; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Grandmamma
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Holiday Stories for Young People; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.