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Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour
Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour is here in full — 153 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.
The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.
'Hang the day!' muttered Sponge from beneath the bedclothes.
'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.
Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour is here in full — 153 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.
Line 2
The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.
Line 3
'Hang the day!' muttered Sponge from beneath the bedclothes.
Line 4
'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.
Line 5
Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

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.

Bantam noun US /ˈbæntəm/

any of various small breeds of fowl

From this reading “'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.”

flattening verb US /ˈflætənɪŋ/

-ing form of “flatten” — make flat or flatter

From this reading “'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.”

howled verb US /haʊld/

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading “The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.”

riotous adjective US /ˈraɪətəs/

produced or growing in extreme abundance

From this reading “THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.”

speculations noun US /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃənz/

plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading “Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.”

Sponge verb US /spʌndʒ/

wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten

From this reading “THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.”

strolling verb US /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/

-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading “'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.”

winter's noun US /ˈwɪntərz/

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading “THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.”

All words in this reading · 119

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 THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

aeoliannoun

a member of one of four linguistic divisions of the prehistoric Greeks

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

BantamnounUS /ˈbæntəm/

any of various small breeds of fowl

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

bednounUS /bed/

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

bedclothesnoun

coverings that are used on a bed

From this reading 'Hang the day!' muttered Sponge from beneath the bedclothes.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading 'Hang the day!' muttered Sponge from beneath the bedclothes.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

blacksmith's-looking

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

Bumperkin

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

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

casements

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

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

castleisations

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

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

chairnounUS /tʃer/

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

coffee-room

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

DAYnounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

deluging

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

deucenounUS /duːs/

a tie in tennis or table tennis that requires winning two successive points to win the game

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

flatteningverbUS /ˈflætənɪŋ/

-ing form of “flatten” — make flat or flatter

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading 'Hang the day!' muttered Sponge from beneath the bedclothes.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/

depressingly dark

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

HangverbUS /hæŋ/

be suspended or hanging

From this reading 'Hang the day!' muttered Sponge from beneath the bedclothes.

harpnounUS /hɑːrp/

a chordophone that has a triangular frame consisting of a sounding board and a pillar and a curved neck; the strings stretched between the neck and the soundbox are plucked with the fingers

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

horse-dealers

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

housenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

housemaidnoun

a female domestic

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

how

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

howledverbUS /haʊld/

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

Jawleyford

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

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

knockverbUS /nɑːk/

deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading 'Hang the day!' muttered Sponge from beneath the bedclothes.

nosenounUS /noʊz/

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

over-night

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

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

partedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːrtɪd/

having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

Piccadilly

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

picturenounUS /ˈpɪktʃər/

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

pinnacles

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

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

PresentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/

in the near future

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

rattledadjectiveUS /ˈrætəld/

thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

recalledverbUS /rɪˈkɔːld/

past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

riotousadjectiveUS /ˈraɪətəs/

produced or growing in extreme abundance

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/

past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

shooknounUS /ʃʊk/

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

shriekedadjectiveUS /ʃriːkt/

uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

slip-shod

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/

very large in expanse or scope

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

speculationsnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃənz/

plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

SpongeverbUS /spʌndʒ/

wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten

From this reading 'Hang the day!' muttered Sponge from beneath the bedclothes.

Sponge's

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

StreetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/

-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

swingverbUS /swɪŋ/

move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

tool-box

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/

plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/

hard to endure

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

WETadjectiveUS /wet/

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

whistledverbUS /ˈwɪsəld/

past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

windnounUS /waɪnd/

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The wind howled, and roared, and whistled, and shrieked, playing a sort of aeolian harp amongst the towers, pinnacles, and irregular castleisations of the house; while the old casements rattled and shook, as though some one were trying to knock them in.

windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE WET DAY When the dirty slip-shod housemaid came in the morning with her blacksmith's-looking tool-box to light Mr. Sponge's fire, a riotous winter's day was in the full swing of its gloomy, deluging power.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading 'What the deuce is a man to do with himself on such a day as this, in the country?' thinking how much better he would be flattening his nose against the coffee-room window of the Bantam, or strolling through the horse-dealers' stables in Piccadilly or Oxford Street.

yeomanrynoun

class of small freeholders who cultivated their own land

From this reading Presently the over-night chair before the fire, with the picture of Jawleyford in the Bumperkin yeomanry, as seen through the parted curtains of the spacious bed, recalled his over-night speculations, and he began to think that perhaps he was just as well where he was.

Chapter 11 of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour by Robert Smith Surtees holds 153 sentences, grouped into 31 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. Sponge's Sporting Tour contain?

Chapter 11 holds 153 sentences of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour by Robert Smith Surtees exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 153 sentences, grouped into 31 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. Sponge's Sporting Tour?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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. Sponge's Sporting Tour

Common questions about reading Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour by Robert Smith Surtees on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour?

Yes. All 7800 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #16957 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #16957, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1560 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour section by section

How to work through Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour 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 Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour

Words and structures a reader meets early in Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Murky
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
October
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sponge
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Soapey
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.