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Original Short Stories — Volume 08
Original Short Stories — Volume 08

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Original Short Stories — Volume 08 is here in full — 198 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Original Short Stories — Volume 08
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
VOLUME VIII.
How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.
This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.
Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.
She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.
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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.

Original Short Stories — Volume 08

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Original Short Stories — Volume 08 is here in full — 198 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
VOLUME VIII.
Line 2
How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.
Line 3
This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.
Line 4
Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.
/sɪns ðen aɪ hæv siːn soʊ ˈmeni ˈsɪnɪstər θɪŋz wɪtʃ wɜːr ˈiːðər əˈfektɪŋ ɔːr ˈterəbəl ðæt aɪ æm əˈstɑːnɪʃt æt nɑːt ˈbiːɪŋ ˈeɪbəl tuː pæs ə ˈsɪŋɡəl deɪ wɪˈθaʊt ðə feɪs ʌv ˈmʌðər ˈbelflaʊər rɪˈkɜːrɪŋ tuː maɪ maɪndz aɪ dʒʌst æz aɪ nuː hɜːr ˈfɔːrmərli naʊ soʊ lɔːŋ əˈɡoʊ wen aɪ wɑːz ten ɔːr twelv jɪrz oʊld/
Line 5
She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.
/ʃiː wɑːz æn oʊld ˈsiːmstrɪs huː keɪm tuː maɪ ˈperənts haʊs wʌns ə wiːk ˈevəri ˈθɜːrzdeɪ tuː mend ðə ˈlɪnən/

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.

Bellflower noun US /ˈbelflaʊər/

any of various plants of the genus Campanula having blue or white bell-shaped flowers

From this reading “Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.”

haunt verb US /hɔːnt/

follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to

From this reading “How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.”

mend verb US /mend/

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading “She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.”

mind's noun US /maɪndz/

possessive form of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading “Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.”

recurring adjective US /rɪˈkɜːrɪŋ/

coming back

From this reading “Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.”

seamstress noun US /ˈsiːmstrɪs/

someone who makes or mends dresses

From this reading “She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.”

tenaciously adverb US /təˈneɪʃəsli/

with obstinate determination

From this reading “This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.”

vividly adverb US /ˈvɪvədli/

in a vivid manner

From this reading “This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

affectingadjectiveUS /əˈfektɪŋ/

arousing affect

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

BellflowernounUS /ˈbelflaʊər/

any of various plants of the genus Campanula having blue or white bell-shaped flowers

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

cannot

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

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

clungverbUS /klʌŋ/

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

eyenounUS /aɪ/

the organ of sight

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/

at a previous time

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

hauntverbUS /hɔːnt/

follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

housenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

How

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

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

knewverbUS /nuː/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/

a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

mendverbUS /mend/

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

mind'snounUS /maɪndz/

possessive form of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

MothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

parentsnounUS /ˈperənts/

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

recollectionsnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃənz/

plural of “recollection” — the ability to recall past occurrences

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

recurringadjectiveUS /rɪˈkɜːrɪŋ/

coming back

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

ridverbUS /rɪd/

relieve from

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

seamstressnounUS /ˈsiːmstrɪs/

someone who makes or mends dresses

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

seenverbUS /siːn/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

tennounUS /ten/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

tenaciouslyadverbUS /təˈneɪʃəsli/

with obstinate determination

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

terribleadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

ThursdaynounUS /ˈθɜːrzdeɪ/

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

twelvenounUS /twelv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

VIIInoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one

From this reading VOLUME VIII.

vividlyadverbUS /ˈvɪvədli/

in a vivid manner

From this reading This one is so very old that I cannot understand how it has clung so vividly and tenaciously to my memory.

VOLUMEnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːm/

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading VOLUME VIII.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

weeknounUS /wiːk/

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading She was an old seamstress who came to my parents' house once a week, every Thursday, to mend the linen.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading How strange those old recollections are which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading Since then I have seen so many sinister things, which were either affecting or terrible, that I am astonished at not being able to pass a single day without the face of Mother Bellflower recurring to my mind's eye, just as I knew her formerly, now so long ago, when I was ten or twelve years old.

Chapter 1 of Original Short Stories — Volume 08 by Guy de Maupassant holds 198 sentences, grouped into 40 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 1 of Original Short Stories — Volume 08 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 198 sentences of Original Short Stories — Volume 08, unabridged, divided into 40 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Original Short Stories — Volume 08 by Guy de Maupassant exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 198 sentences, grouped into 40 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 1 of Original Short Stories — Volume 08?

Work through the 40 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 40 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Original Short Stories — Volume 08

Common questions about reading Original Short Stories — Volume 08 by Guy de Maupassant on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Original Short Stories — Volume 08?

Yes. All 2624 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3084 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Original Short Stories — Volume 08 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3084, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Original Short Stories — Volume 08 take to read?

About 218 minutes of reading across 525 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Original Short Stories — Volume 08 section by section

How to work through Original Short Stories — Volume 08 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 13 chapters of Original Short Stories — Volume 08 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 Original Short Stories — Volume 08

Words and structures a reader meets early in Original Short Stories — Volume 08, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Volume
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Original Short Stories — Volume 08; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Strange
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Original Short Stories — Volume 08; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Those
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Original Short Stories — Volume 08; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Recollections
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Original Short Stories — Volume 08; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.