Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer

Chapter XIII · The Haunted House

Chapter XIII of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer, “The Haunted House,” is here in full — 113 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Edith Lavell • Curated US English Learning Edition

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When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

“Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

There was no answer.

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Chapter XIII Reading 1/22

Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer Edith Lavell

Chapter XIII

The Haunted House

Chapter XIII of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer, “The Haunted House,” is here in full — 113 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone. Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright. Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside. “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm. There was no answer.

Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer

Chapter XIII · The Haunted House

Chapter XIII of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer, “The Haunted House,” is here in full — 113 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

/wen ˈhelən keɪm daʊn ðə ˈkrʊkəd ˈsterkeɪs frʌm ðə ˈbedruːm ˈɪntuː ðə ˈkɪtʃən ʃiː dɪd nɑːt pərˈsiːv æt wʌns ðæt ʃiː wɑːz əˈloʊn/

Line 2

Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

Line 3

Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

/tuː smɔːl ˈwɪndoʊz əˈfɔːrdəd ðə ˈoʊnli miːnz ʌv ædˈmɪtɪŋ ðə laɪt ənd iːtʃ ʌv ðiːz hæd ˈsevrəl bɔːrdz neɪld əˈkrɔːs ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

Line 4

“Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

Line 5

There was no answer.

/ðer wɑːz noʊ ˈænsər/

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.

admitting verb US /ædˈmɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading “Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.”

afforded verb US /əˈfɔːrdəd/

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading “Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.”

boards noun US /bɔːrdz/

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading “Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.”

crooked adjective US /ˈkrʊkəd/

having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned

From this reading “When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.”

nailed verb US /neɪld/

past form of “nail” — attach something somewhere by means of nails

From this reading “Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.”

perceive verb US /pərˈsiːv/

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading “When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.”

shutters noun US /ˈʃʌtərz/

plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure

From this reading “Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.”

staircase noun US /ˈsterkeɪs/

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading “When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

at once preposition + adverb

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

In this reading “When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.”

into the kitchen preposition + article + noun counted as “into … kitchen”

In this reading “When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.”

came down verb + adjective counted as “come down”

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

In this reading “When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.”

rest of verb + particle

In this reading “Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.”

All words in this reading · 66

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.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

admittingverbUS /ædˈmɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

answerverbUS /ˈænsər/

react verbally

From this reading There was no answer.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

AuntnounUS /ænt/

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

bedroomnounUS /ˈbedruːm/

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

calmverbUS /kɑːm/

make calm or still

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

crookedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʊkəd/

having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

darknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

Elsie

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

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

HelennounUS /ˈhelən/

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

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

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

nailedverbUS /neɪld/

past form of “nail” — attach something somewhere by means of nails

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/

plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/

hard to endure

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

TwonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two small windows afforded the only means of admitting the light, and each of these had several boards nailed across the outside.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

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

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Helen came down the crooked staircase from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not perceive at once that she was alone.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Though not so dark as the rest of the house—for there were no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was far from bright.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying to keep her voice calm.

Chapter 13 of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer by Edith Lavell holds 113 sentences, grouped into 23 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 13 of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer contain?

Chapter 13 holds 113 sentences of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer, unabridged, divided into 23 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer by Edith Lavell exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 113 sentences, grouped into 23 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 13 of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer?

Work through the 23 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 23 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.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

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Project Gutenberg eBook #63407, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 309 minutes of reading across 743 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer

Words and structures a reader meets early in Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
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Chapter XIII · The Haunted House

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