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Poor and Proud
Poor and Proud

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Poor and Proud is here in full — 115 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Poor and Proud
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HISTORY OF THE SILVER WATCH.
Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.
The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.
She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.
An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.
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Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Poor and Proud

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Poor and Proud is here in full — 115 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HISTORY OF THE SILVER WATCH.
Line 2
Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.
Line 3
The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.
Line 4
She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.
Line 5
An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

All words in this reading · 71

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.

a

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

accomplished

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

An

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

and

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

as

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

be

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

bones

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

but

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

children

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

cleaning

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

cook

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

cut

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

dinner

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

direction

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

dwellings

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

eleven

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

enabled

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

entire

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

faster

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

finally

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

fingers

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

fish

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

flounders

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

for

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

from

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

frying-pan

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

greatest

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

had

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

hands

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

has

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

her

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

HISTORY

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

From this reading THE HISTORY OF THE SILVER WATCH.

homes

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

idea

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

in

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

Katy

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

knife

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

learn

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

management

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

mother

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

not

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

occasional

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

OF

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

From this reading THE HISTORY OF THE SILVER WATCH.

old

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

only

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

operation

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

poor

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

pricked

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

properly

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

ready

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

From this reading An occasional direction from her mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready.

Redburn

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

removed

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

resolute

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

rich

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

satisfaction

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

scratched

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

sharp

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

she

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

SILVER

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

From this reading THE HISTORY OF THE SILVER WATCH.

skin

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

task

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

than

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

THE

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

From this reading THE HISTORY OF THE SILVER WATCH.

to

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

tolerable

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

trial

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

From this reading The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed.

very

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

was

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

WATCH

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

From this reading THE HISTORY OF THE SILVER WATCH.

with

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

From this reading She cut her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the task to her entire satisfaction.

years

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

From this reading Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan.

Chapter 2 of Poor and Proud by Oliver Optic holds 115 sentences, grouped into 23 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 2 of Poor and Proud contain?

Chapter 2 holds 115 sentences of Poor and Proud, unabridged, divided into 23 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Poor and Proud by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 115 sentences, grouped into 23 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 2 of Poor and Proud?

Work through the 23 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 23 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Poor and Proud

Common questions about reading Poor and Proud by Oliver Optic on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Poor and Proud?

Yes. All 2764 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #484 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Poor and Proud is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #484, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Poor and Proud take to read?

About 230 minutes of reading across 553 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Poor and Proud section by section

How to work through Poor and Proud section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of Poor and Proud 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 Poor and Proud

Words and structures a reader meets early in Poor and Proud, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Redburn
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poor and Proud; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Others
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poor and Proud; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Introduced
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poor and Proud; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Flounder
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poor and Proud; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.