Jeanne of the Marshes

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Jeanne of the Marshes is here in full — 99 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim • Curated US English Learning Edition

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The Princess arranged her skirts so that they drooped gracefully, and turned upon her companion with one of those slow mysterious smiles, which many people described but none could imitate.

"Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

Will you listen to me, please?"

"It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

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Chapter XX Reading 1/19

Jeanne of the Marshes E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim

Chapter XX

Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Jeanne of the Marshes is here in full — 99 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

The Princess arranged her skirts so that they drooped gracefully, and turned upon her companion with one of those slow mysterious smiles, which many people described but none could imitate. "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man. You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil. Will you listen to me, please?" "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

Jeanne of the Marshes

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Jeanne of the Marshes 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

The Princess arranged her skirts so that they drooped gracefully, and turned upon her companion with one of those slow mysterious smiles, which many people described but none could imitate.

/ðə ˈprɪn.ses ərˈeɪndʒd hɜːr skɜːrts soʊ ðæt ðeɪ druːpt ˈɡreɪsfəli ənd tɜːrnd əˈpɑːn hɜːr kəmˈpænjən wɪð wʌn ʌv ðoʊz sloʊ mɪˈstɪriəs smaɪlz wɪtʃ ˈmeni ˈpiːpəl dɪˈskraɪbd bʌt nʌn kʊd ˈɪməteɪt/

Line 2

"Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

/ˈmɪstər diː lɑː bɔːrn ʃiː sed aɪ kæn tɔːk tuː juː æz aɪ kʊd nɑːt tɔːk tuː jɔːr ˈbrʌðər bɪˈkɔːz juː ɑːr æn ˈoʊldər ənd ə ˈwaɪzər mæn/

Line 3

You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

Line 4

Will you listen to me, please?"

/wɪl juː ˈlɪsən tuː miː pliːz/

Line 5

"It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

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.

Andrew noun US /ˈændruː/

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland

From this reading “"It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."”

drooped verb US /druːpt/

past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness

From this reading “The Princess arranged her skirts so that they drooped gracefully, and turned upon her companion with one of those slow mysterious smiles, which many people described but none could imitate.”

gracefully adverb US /ˈɡreɪsfəli/

in a graceful manner

idiot noun US /ˈɪdiːət/

a person of subnormal intelligence

From this reading “You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.”

imitate verb US /ˈɪməteɪt/

reproduce someone's behavior or looks

skirts noun US /skɜːrts/

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

smiles noun US /smaɪlz/

plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

wiser adjective US /ˈwaɪzər/

comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading “"Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Princess arranged her skirts so that they drooped gracefully, and turned upon her companion with one of those slow mysterious smiles, which many people described but none could imitate.

AndrewnounUS /ˈændruː/

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland

From this reading "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

arrangedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪndʒd/

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

BorneverbUS /bɔːrn/

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

Cecil

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

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

companionnounUS /kəmˈpænjən/

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

DenounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

drilyadverb

in a dry laconic manner

From this reading "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

droopedverbUS /druːpt/

past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness

gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/

in a graceful manner

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

idiotnounUS /ˈɪdiːət/

a person of subnormal intelligence

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

imitateverbUS /ˈɪməteɪt/

reproduce someone's behavior or looks

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

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 "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

listenverbUS /ˈlɪsən/

hear with intention

From this reading Will you listen to me, please?"

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Will you listen to me, please?"

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

of an obscure nature

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

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

pleaseverbUS /pliːz/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading Will you listen to me, please?"

PrincessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

ratenounUS /reɪt/

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

seemsverbUS /siːmz/

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading "It seems to me," Andrew answered drily, "that I am already doing so."

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/

plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

talkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Will you listen to me, please?"

wiseradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzər/

comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading You may not have seen much of the world, but you are at any rate not a young idiot like Cecil.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Mr. De la Borne," she said, "I can talk to you as I could not talk to your brother, because you are an older and a wiser man.

Chapter 20 of Jeanne of the Marshes by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim holds 99 sentences, grouped into 20 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 20 of Jeanne of the Marshes contain?

Chapter 20 holds 99 sentences of Jeanne of the Marshes, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of Jeanne of the Marshes by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim exactly as it stands in the public-domain 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 20 of Jeanne of the Marshes?

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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

Questions about reading Jeanne of the Marshes

Common questions about reading Jeanne of the Marshes by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Jeanne of the Marshes?

Yes. All 6157 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4233 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #4233, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 513 minutes of reading across 1232 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Jeanne of the Marshes

Words and structures a reader meets early in Jeanne of the Marshes, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Princess: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Jeanne of the Marshes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Helped: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Jeanne of the Marshes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Herself: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Jeanne of the Marshes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Salted: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Jeanne of the Marshes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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