Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick

Chapter XI

Chapter 11 of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick is here in full — 20 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Edward Eggleston • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

I must leave these things out.

As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

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Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick Edward Eggleston

Chapter XI

Chapter 11 of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick is here in full — 20 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

_AN ODD PARTY._ I cannot tell you about the giving of the broom-machine to the blind broom-maker; of the ton of coal to Parm’ly, and of all the other things that happened on Christmas Day when the presents were given. I must leave these things out. As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky. But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked. But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick

Chapter XI

Chapter 11 of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick is here in full — 20 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/4 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

Line 2

I must leave these things out.

/aɪ mʌst liːv ðiːz θɪŋz aʊt/

Line 3

As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

Line 4

But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

Line 5

But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

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.

ample adjective US /ˈæmpəl/

more than enough in size or scope or capacity

From this reading “But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.”

baked adjective US /beɪkt/

dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight

From this reading “But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.”

biscuits noun US /ˈbɪskəts/

plural of “biscuit” — small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda

From this reading “But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.”

cakes noun US /keɪks/

plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)

From this reading “But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.”

lame noun US /leɪm/

someone who doesn't understand what is going on

From this reading “But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.””

maimed noun US /meɪmd/

people who are wounded

From this reading “But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.””

pies noun US /paɪz/

plural of “pie” — dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top

From this reading “But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.”

ton noun US /tʌn/

a United States unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds

From this reading “_AN ODD PARTY._ I cannot tell you about the giving of the broom-machine to the blind broom-maker; of the ton of coal to Parm’ly, and of all the other things that happened on Christmas Day when the presents were given.”

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.

other things adjective + noun

In this reading “_AN ODD PARTY._ I cannot tell you about the giving of the broom-machine to the blind broom-maker; of the ton of coal to Parm’ly, and of all the other things that happened on Christmas Day when the presents were given.”

looked at verb + particle counted as “look at”

take into consideration for exemplifying purposes

In this reading “But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.””

come from verb + particle

In this reading “As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.”

All words in this reading · 79

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.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading _AN ODD PARTY._ I cannot tell you about the giving of the broom-machine to the blind broom-maker; of the ton of coal to Parm’ly, and of all the other things that happened on Christmas Day when the presents were given.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/

more than enough in size or scope or capacity

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

AuntnounUS /ænt/

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

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

bakedadjectiveUS /beɪkt/

dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

biscuitsnounUS /ˈbɪskəts/

plural of “biscuit” — small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

blindnounUS /blaɪnd/

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

boysnounUS /bɔɪz/

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

broom-machine

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

broom-maker

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

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

cakesnounUS /keɪks/

plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

cannot

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

ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

coalnounUS /koʊl/

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

dareverbUS /der/

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

datnounUS /dæt/

a digital tape recording of sound

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

DaynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

denounUS /diː/

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

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

feastnounUS /fiːst/

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/

the act of giving

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/

past form of “happen” — come to pass

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

lamenounUS /leɪm/

someone who doesn't understand what is going on

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

leaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading I must leave these things out.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

maimednounUS /meɪmd/

people who are wounded

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

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

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I must leave these things out.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

ODDadjectiveUS /ɑːd/

not divisible by two

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I must leave these things out.

Parm'ly

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

PARTYnounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

piesnounUS /paɪz/

plural of “pie” — dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

pooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

skynounUS /skaɪ/

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading As for Aunt Parm’ly, she said she did not know, but dat dare coal seemed like it come from de sky.

stickverbUS /stɪk/

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

Sunday-school

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

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading I must leave these things out.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

tonnounUS /tʌn/

a United States unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds

walkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/

close enough to be walked to

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

Willie

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

From this reading But every time Willie looked at the walking stick he thought of “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.”

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading But there was an ample feast yet for the boys at the Sunday-school, for many biscuits, and cakes, and pies had been baked.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

Chapter 11 of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick by Edward Eggleston holds 20 sentences, grouped into 4 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 11 of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick contain?

Chapter 11 holds 20 sentences of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick, unabridged, divided into 4 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick by Edward Eggleston exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 20 sentences, grouped into 4 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 11 of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick?

Work through the 4 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 4 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 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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 Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick

Common questions about reading Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick by Edward Eggleston on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick?

Yes. All 549 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #52935 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #52935, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick take to read?

About 45 minutes of reading across 110 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick

Words and structures a reader meets early in Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Christmas: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Story: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Girls: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XI

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Vocabulary met early in Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick