Mark Manning's Mission

Chapter XXVII · Old Peggy

Chapter XXVII of Mark Manning's Mission, “Old Peggy,” is here in full — 116 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Horatio, Jr. Alger • Curated US English Learning Edition

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English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

He resolved to be revenged upon Johnny for declining to "treat" him to a dinner, and having plenty of time on his hands, took pains to seek out the humble home tenanted by old Peggy.

It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

Narrator

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XXVII Reading 1/23

Mark Manning's Mission Horatio, Jr. Alger

Chapter XXVII

Old Peggy

Chapter XXVII of Mark Manning's Mission, “Old Peggy,” is here in full — 116 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief. He resolved to be revenged upon Johnny for declining to "treat" him to a dinner, and having plenty of time on his hands, took pains to seek out the humble home tenanted by old Peggy. It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot. Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions. He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

Mark Manning's Mission

Chapter XXVII · Old Peggy

Chapter XXVII of Mark Manning's Mission, “Old Peggy,” is here in full — 116 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

Line 2

He resolved to be revenged upon Johnny for declining to "treat" him to a dinner, and having plenty of time on his hands, took pains to seek out the humble home tenanted by old Peggy.

Line 3

It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

Line 4

Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

Line 5

He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

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.

ascended verb US /əˈsendɪd/

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading “He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.”

declining verb US /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading “He resolved to be revenged upon Johnny for declining to "treat" him to a dinner, and having plenty of time on his hands, took pains to seek out the humble home tenanted by old Peggy.”

depot noun US /ˈdiːpoʊ/

station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods

From this reading “It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.”

neighbor noun US /ˈneɪbər/

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading “He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.”

rickety adjective US /ˈrɪkəti/

inclined to shake as from weakness or defect

From this reading “He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.”

roach noun US /roʊtʃ/

a roll of hair brushed back from the forehead

From this reading “TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.”

shabby adjective US /ˈʃæbi/

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading “It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.”

treading verb US /ˈtredɪŋ/

-ing form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading “He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.”

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.

third floor noun + noun

In this reading “It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.”

brick house noun + noun

In this reading “It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.”

took pains verb + noun counted as “take pains”

try very hard to do something

In this reading “He resolved to be revenged upon Johnny for declining to "treat" him to a dinner, and having plenty of time on his hands, took pains to seek out the humble home tenanted by old Peggy.”

humble home adjective + noun

treading on verb + particle counted as “tread on”

place or press the foot on

In this reading “He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.”

on the landing preposition + article + noun counted as “on … landing”

In this reading “He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.”

seek out verb + adjective

look for a specific person or thing

on the third preposition + article + noun counted as “on … third”

In this reading “It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 He resolved to be revenged upon Johnny for declining to "treat" him to a dinner, and having plenty of time on his hands, took pains to seek out the humble home tenanted by old Peggy.

Alton

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

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

bricknounUS /brɪk/

rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/

largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

decliningverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “decline” — grow worse

depotnounUS /ˈdiːpoʊ/

station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

didn't

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

From this reading Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

directionsnounUS /dərˈekʃənz/

plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

facedadjectiveUS /feɪst/

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

handsnounUS /hændz/

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

housenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

humbleadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmbəl/

low or inferior in station or quality

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

JohnnynounUS /ˈdʒɑːni/

“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms

landingnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

mischiefnounUS /ˈmɪstʃəf/

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

neighbornounUS /ˈneɪbər/

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

painsnounUS /peɪnz/

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

Peggy

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

Peggy's

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

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

plentynounUS /ˈplenti/

a full supply

requireverbUS /ˌriːˈkwaɪər/

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

resolvedadjectiveUS /riˈzɑːlvd/

determined

revenged

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

ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/

inclined to shake as from weakness or defect

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

ROACHnounUS /roʊtʃ/

a roll of hair brushed back from the forehead

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

seekverbUS /siːk/

try to get or reach

selfishadjectiveUS /ˈselfɪʃ/

concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/

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

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

tenantedadjective

resided in; having tenants

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Tim had been there before, and didn't require directions.

thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from the Chicago and Alton depot.

TIM

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

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

treadingverbUS /ˈtredɪŋ/

-ing form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

treatverbUS /triːt/

interact in a certain way

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were playing on the landing.

Chapter 27 of Mark Manning's Mission by Horatio, Jr. Alger holds 116 sentences, grouped into 24 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 27 of Mark Manning's Mission contain?

Chapter 27 holds 116 sentences of Mark Manning's Mission, unabridged, divided into 24 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of Mark Manning's Mission by Horatio, Jr. Alger exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 116 sentences, grouped into 24 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 27 of Mark Manning's Mission?

Work through the 24 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 24 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 27 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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Yes. All 4356 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #55000 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #55000, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 363 minutes of reading across 872 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Mark Manning's Mission

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Three: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mark Manning's Mission; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Young: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mark Manning's Mission; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hunters: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mark Manning's Mission; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shoulders: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mark Manning's Mission; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XXVII · Old Peggy

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