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Only an Irish Boy
Only an Irish Boy

Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

Chapter 31 of Only an Irish Boy is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MRS.
PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.
"Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.
Andy turned his head, and paused.
"Who are you talking to?" he asked.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Only an Irish Boy

Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

Chapter 31 of Only an Irish Boy is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MRS.
/ˈmɪsɪz/
Line 2
PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.
Line 3
"Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.
Line 4
Andy turned his head, and paused.
Line 5
"Who are you talking to?" he asked.
/huː ɑːr juː ˈtɔːkɪŋ tuː hiː æskt/

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.

boarding noun US /ˈbɔːrdɪŋ/

the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft

From this reading “PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.”

Burke noun US /bɜːrk/

British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)

From this reading “PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.”

Colonel noun US /ˈkɜːrnəl/

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading “PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.”

imperious adj US /ɪmˈpɪr.i.əs/

Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. (Hách dịch, độc đoán, kiêu kỳ.)

From this reading “"Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.”

month noun US /mʌnθ/

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading “PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.”

passing noun US /ˈpæsɪŋ/

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading “PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.”

paused verb US /pɔːzd/

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading “Andy turned his head, and paused.”

revenge noun US /riˈvendʒ/

action taken in return for an injury or offense

From this reading “PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.”

All words in this reading · 49

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 PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Andy turned his head, and paused.

Andy

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Who are you talking to?" he asked.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Who are you talking to?" he asked.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

boardingnounUS /ˈbɔːrdɪŋ/

the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

BurkenounUS /bɜːrk/

British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

ColonelnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

ComeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading "Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

Godfrey

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Who are you talking to?" he asked.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Andy turned his head, and paused.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Andy turned his head, and paused.

housenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

imperiousadjUS /ɪmˈpɪr.i.əs/

Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. (Hách dịch, độc đoán, kiêu kỳ.)

From this reading "Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.

monthnounUS /mʌnθ/

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

MRSnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading MRS.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

pausedverbUS /pɔːzd/

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading Andy turned his head, and paused.

Preston

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

PRESTON'S

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

REVENGEnounUS /riˈvendʒ/

action taken in return for an injury or offense

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.

schoolnounUS /skuːl/

an educational institution

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading "Who are you talking to?" he asked.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

tonenounUS /toʊn/

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading "Come here!" said Godfrey, in an imperious tone.

turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Andy turned his head, and paused.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading PRESTON'S REVENGE Andy Burke was passing the house of Mrs. Preston, within a month after Colonel Preston's death, when Godfrey, who had not gone back to boarding school, showed himself at the front door.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Who are you talking to?" he asked.

Chapter 31 of Only an Irish Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger holds 130 sentences, grouped into 26 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 31 of Only an Irish Boy contain?

Chapter 31 holds 130 sentences of Only an Irish Boy, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 31 of Only an Irish Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 130 sentences, grouped into 26 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 31 of Only an Irish Boy?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 31 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 31 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 Only an Irish Boy

Common questions about reading Only an Irish Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Only an Irish Boy?

Yes. All 4116 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #11111 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Only an Irish Boy is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #11111, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Only an Irish Boy take to read?

About 343 minutes of reading across 824 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Only an Irish Boy section by section

How to work through Only an Irish Boy section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of Only an Irish Boy to begin.

  2. Read one section

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  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Only an Irish Boy

Words and structures a reader meets early in Only an Irish Boy, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Burke
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Only an Irish Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Opponent
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Only an Irish Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Neither
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Only an Irish Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Propose
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Only an Irish Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.