Old Farm Fairies

Chapter XXI

Chapter 21 of Old Farm Fairies is here in full — 314 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Henry C. (Henry Christopher) McCook • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

THE DISENCHANTMENT.

Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

Moreover, as he still believed the Pixies to be the cause of the late misfortunes, and as he knew they were wont to be quite active about the peep of day, he resolved to bide by his voluntary watch a little longer.

He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XXI Reading 1/62

Old Farm Fairies Henry C. (Henry Christopher) McCook

Chapter XXI

Chapter 21 of Old Farm Fairies is here in full — 314 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

THE DISENCHANTMENT. Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line. But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of. Moreover, as he still believed the Pixies to be the cause of the late misfortunes, and as he knew they were wont to be quite active about the peep of day, he resolved to bide by his voluntary watch a little longer. He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

Old Farm Fairies

Chapter XXI

Chapter 21 of Old Farm Fairies is here in full — 314 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

THE DISENCHANTMENT.

/ðə dɪsɪnˈtʃæntmənt/

Line 2

Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

Line 3

But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

/bʌt hiː wɑːz ə pərˈsɪstənt ˈpɜːrsən ənd dɪˈslaɪkt tuː ɡɪv ʌp hɪz ˈθɪri ənˈtɪl hiː hæd ˈsʌmθɪŋ ˈbetər tuː leɪ hoʊld ʌv/

Line 4

Line 5

He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

/hiː ˈbekənd ˈsɑːrdʒənt ˈvɪdʒələnt tuː hɪz saɪd ənd ðə tuː sæt daʊn tuː rest əˈmʌŋ ðə ˈdeləkət fɜːrnz ðæt ˈkʌvərd ðə rɪdʒ/

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.

bide verb US /baɪd/

dwell

From this reading “Moreover, as he still believed the Pixies to be the cause of the late misfortunes, and as he knew they were wont to be quite active about the peep of day, he resolved to bide by his voluntary watch a little longer.”

disenchantment noun US /dɪsɪnˈtʃæntmənt/

freeing from false belief or illusions

From this reading “THE DISENCHANTMENT.”

ferns noun US /fɜːrnz/

plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading “He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.”

located adjective US /ˈloʊkeɪtəd/

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading “Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.”

persistent adjective US /pərˈsɪstənt/

never-ceasing

From this reading “But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.”

picket noun US /ˈpɪkɪt/

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading “Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.”

Vigilant adjective US /ˈvɪdʒələnt/

carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger

From this reading “He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.”

voluntary adjective US /ˈvɑːlənteri/

of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled

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.

give up verb + adjective

lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime

In this reading “But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.”

hold of verb + particle

In this reading “But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Moreover, as he still believed the Pixies to be the cause of the late misfortunes, and as he knew they were wont to be quite active about the peep of day, he resolved to bide by his voluntary watch a little longer.

activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

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

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

beckonedverbUS /ˈbekənd/

past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

believedverbUS /bɪˈliːvd/

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

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 But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

bideverbUS /baɪd/

dwell

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

causenounUS /kɑːz/

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

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

delicateadjectiveUS /ˈdeləkət/

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

DISENCHANTMENTnounUS /dɪsɪnˈtʃæntmənt/

freeing from false belief or illusions

From this reading THE DISENCHANTMENT.

dislikedadjectiveUS /dɪˈslaɪkt/

regarded with aversion

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

doubtnounUS /daʊt/

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/

an opposing military force

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/

plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

holdverbUS /hoʊld/

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

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

layverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

LieutenantnounUS /luːˈtenənt/

a commissioned military officer

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

locatedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkeɪtəd/

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/

for more time

MacWhirlie

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

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

misfortunesnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃənz/

plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

peepverbUS /piːp/

look furtively

persistentadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstənt/

never-ceasing

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

picketnounUS /ˈpɪkɪt/

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

Pixies

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

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

resolvedadjectiveUS /riˈzɑːlvd/

determined

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

SergeantnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE DISENCHANTMENT.

theorynounUS /ˈθɪri/

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/

not known

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

VigilantadjectiveUS /ˈvɪdʒələnt/

carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger

From this reading He beckoned Sergeant Vigilant to his side and the two sat down to rest among the delicate ferns that covered the ridge.

voluntaryadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːlənteri/

of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But he was a persistent person, and disliked to give up his theory until he had something better to lay hold of.

watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/

look attentively

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Lieutenant MacWhirlie had now almost come to doubt so much of his theory as located the unknown enemy within the picket line.

wontnounUS /woʊnt/

an established custom

Chapter 21 of Old Farm Fairies by Henry C. (Henry Christopher) McCook holds 314 sentences, grouped into 63 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 21 of Old Farm Fairies contain?

Chapter 21 holds 314 sentences of Old Farm Fairies, unabridged, divided into 63 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 21 of Old Farm Fairies by Henry C. (Henry Christopher) McCook exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 314 sentences, grouped into 63 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 21 of Old Farm Fairies?

Work through the 63 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 63 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 21 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 21 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 Old Farm Fairies

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Is this the complete text of Old Farm Fairies?

Yes. All 6841 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #33994 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Old Farm Fairies is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #33994, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Old Farm Fairies take to read?

About 570 minutes of reading across 1369 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Old Farm Fairies

Words and structures a reader meets early in Old Farm Fairies, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

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Chapter XXI

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