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Melbourne House
Melbourne House

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Melbourne House is here in full — 227 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Melbourne House
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HAM.
It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.
Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.
He was flushed and hurried.
"Who's going out with Loupe?"
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Melbourne House

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Melbourne House is here in full — 227 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HAM.
/ðə hæm/
Line 2
It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.
Line 3
Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.
/ðen ˈevriθɪŋ wɑːz raɪt ðə ˈpoʊniː ʃeɪz bɪˈfɔːr ðə dɔːr sæm ɪn ˈweɪtɪŋ ənd ˈdeɪzi dʒʌst ˈpʊlɪŋ hɜːr ɡlʌvz ɑːn wen ˈrænsəm rʌʃt ʌp/
Line 4
He was flushed and hurried.
/hiː wɑːz flʌʃt ənd ˈhɜːrid/
Line 5
"Who's going out with Loupe?"

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.

birthday noun US /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/

an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)

From this reading “It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.”

chaise noun US /ʃeɪz/

a long chair; for reclining

From this reading “Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.”

Daisy noun US /ˈdeɪzi/

any of numerous composite plants having flower heads with well-developed ray flowers usually arranged in a single whorl

From this reading “It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.”

ham noun US /hæm/

meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)

From this reading “THE HAM.”

hindered verb US /ˈhɪndərd/

past form of “hinder” — be a hindrance or obstacle to

From this reading “It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.”

Loupe noun US /luːp/

small magnifying glass (usually set in an eyepiece) used by jewelers and horologists

From this reading “"Who's going out with Loupe?"”

Ransom noun US /ˈrænsəm/

money demanded for the return of a captured person

From this reading “Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.”

Tuesday noun US /ˈtuːzdi/

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading “It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.”

All words in this reading · 50

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.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/

an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

causenounUS /kɑːz/

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

chaisenounUS /ʃeɪz/

a long chair; for reclining

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

Crum

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

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

DaisynounUS /ˈdeɪzi/

any of numerous composite plants having flower heads with well-developed ray flowers usually arranged in a single whorl

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

ElbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

fetchverbUS /fetʃ/

go or come after and bring or take back

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

flushedadjectiveUS /flʌʃt/

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading He was flushed and hurried.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/

plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

HAMnounUS /hæm/

meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)

From this reading THE HAM.

happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was flushed and hurried.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

hinderedverbUS /ˈhɪndərd/

past form of “hinder” — be a hindrance or obstacle to

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading He was flushed and hurried.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

LoupenounUS /luːp/

small magnifying glass (usually set in an eyepiece) used by jewelers and horologists

From this reading "Who's going out with Loupe?"

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Who's going out with Loupe?"

ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/

a range horse of the western United States

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/

the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

RansomnounUS /ˈrænsəm/

money demanded for the return of a captured person

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

rushedadjectiveUS /rʌʃt/

done under pressure

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

SamnounUS /sæm/

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

strawberry-baskets

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

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HAM.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

TuesdaynounUS /ˈtuːzdi/

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading It happened that one cause and another hindered Daisy from going to Crum Elbow to fetch the strawberry-baskets, until the very Tuesday afternoon before the birthday.

waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Then everything was right; the pony chaise before the door, Sam in waiting, and Daisy just pulling her gloves on, when Ransom rushed up.

Who's

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

From this reading "Who's going out with Loupe?"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Who's going out with Loupe?"

Chapter 3 of Melbourne House by Susan Warner holds 227 sentences, grouped into 46 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 3 of Melbourne House contain?

Chapter 3 holds 227 sentences of Melbourne House, unabridged, divided into 46 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Melbourne House by Susan Warner exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 227 sentences, grouped into 46 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 3 of Melbourne House?

Work through the 46 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 46 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Melbourne House

Common questions about reading Melbourne House by Susan Warner on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Melbourne House?

Yes. All 13397 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #18686 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Melbourne House is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #18686, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Melbourne House take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2680 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Melbourne House section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 38 chapters of Melbourne House 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 Melbourne House

Words and structures a reader meets early in Melbourne House, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Pony-chaise
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Melbourne House; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Randolph
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Melbourne House; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fancied
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Melbourne House; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Melbourne House; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.