Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Just David
Just David

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Just David is here in full — 109 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Just David
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.
Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.
He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.
"And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"
"I'm David, and I wanted the cat," returned the boy simply.
0:00 / 0:00
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.

Just David

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Just David is here in full — 109 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.
Line 2
Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.
Line 3
He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.
Line 4
"And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"
Line 5
"I'm David, and I wanted the cat," returned the boy simply.

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.

Center noun US /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading “"And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"”

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “"And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"”

All words in this reading · 90

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.

a

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

across

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

after

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

an

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

and

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

ANSWER

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

ANSWERS

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

appeared

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

are

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

as

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

attended

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

attraction

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

be

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

been

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

began

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

Beyond

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

blows

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

boy

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

boys

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

brother

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

bruises

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

bumps

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

came

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

carefully

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

cat

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

From this reading "I'm David, and I wanted the cat," returned the boy simply.

centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

concerning

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

From this reading He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.

could

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

creek

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

cuffs

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

David

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

DID

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

directly

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

dirt

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

do

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

eye

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

for

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

from

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

further

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

had

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

He

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

From this reading He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.

hill

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

himself

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

From this reading He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.

house

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

how

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

I

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

From this reading "I'm David, and I wanted the cat," returned the boy simply.

I'm

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

From this reading "I'm David, and I wanted the cat," returned the boy simply.

if

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

in

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

it

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

Jack

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

Jill

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

learned

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

little

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

lived

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

man

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

me

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

no

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

NOT

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

now

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

of

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

on

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

please

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

questions

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

From this reading He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.

rendered

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

returned

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

From this reading "I'm David, and I wanted the cat," returned the boy simply.

see

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

service

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

simply

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

From this reading "I'm David, and I wanted the cat," returned the boy simply.

sister

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

six

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

smilingly

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

some

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

From this reading He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.

Sunnycrest

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

surveyed

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

telling

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

THAT

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

the

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

then

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

From this reading He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.

this

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

tiny

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

to

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

too

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

From this reading He had then, too, some questions to answer concerning himself.

until

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

From this reading Beyond this David learned little until after bumps and bruises and dirt had been carefully attended to.

wanted

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

From this reading "I'm David, and I wanted the cat," returned the boy simply.

were

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

who

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

From this reading ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER "Jack and Jill," it appeared, were a brother and sister who lived in a tiny house on a hill directly across the creek from Sunnycrest.

with

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

you

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

From this reading "And now, if you please," began the man smilingly, as he surveyed the boy with an eye that could see no further service to be rendered, "do you mind telling me who you are, and how you came to be the center of attraction for the blows and cuffs of six boys?"

Chapter 12 of Just David by Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter holds 109 sentences, grouped into 22 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 12 of Just David contain?

Chapter 12 holds 109 sentences of Just David, unabridged, divided into 22 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of Just David by Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 109 sentences, grouped into 22 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 Just David?

Work through the 22 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 22 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 Just David

Common questions about reading Just David by Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Just David?

Yes. All 4386 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #440 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Just David is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #440, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Just David take to read?

About 365 minutes of reading across 878 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Just David section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 25 chapters of Just David 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 Just David

Words and structures a reader meets early in Just David, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Mountain-side
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Just David; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Just David; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shack
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Just David; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stood
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Just David; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.