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Queechy
Queechy

Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

Chapter 31 of Queechy is here in full — 424 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.
The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."
Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.
"Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.
"I should think he'd ha' hurt himself."
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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.

Queechy

Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

Chapter 31 of Queechy is here in full — 424 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.
Line 2
The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."
Line 3
Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.
Line 4
"Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.
Line 5
"I should think he'd ha' hurt himself."

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.

calculating adjective US /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪŋ/

acting with a specific goal

From this reading “The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."”

chanced verb US /tʃænst/

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading “The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."”

escort noun US /eˈskɔːrt/

someone who escorts and protects a prominent person

From this reading “The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."”

lief adverb US /liːf/

in a willing manner

From this reading “I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.”

Seth noun US /seθ/

(Old Testament) third son of Adam and Eve; given by God in place of the murdered Abel

From this reading “The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."”

shutting noun US /ˈʃʌtɪŋ/

the act of closing something

From this reading “"Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.”

smarter adjective US /ˈsmɑːrtər/

comparative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading “"Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.”

unsuspecting adjective US /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ/

not suspicious

From this reading “Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.”

All words in this reading · 103

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 "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

Barby

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

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

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 The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

calculatingadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪŋ/

acting with a specific goal

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

chancedverbUS /tʃænst/

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

chargeverbUS /tʃɑːrdʒ/

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

cousinnounUS /ˈkʌzən/

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

differencenounUS /ˈdɪfərəns/

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

disappointmentnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

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

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

Dr

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

escortnounUS /eˈskɔːrt/

someone who escorts and protects a prominent person

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

faithnounUS /feɪθ/

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

Fleda

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

hanounUS /hɑː/

(astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day

From this reading "I should think he'd ha' hurt himself."

ha'n't

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

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

he'd

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

From this reading "I should think he'd ha' hurt himself."

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

hurtverbUS /hɜːrt/

be the source of pain

From this reading "I should think he'd ha' hurt himself."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

liefadverbUS /liːf/

in a willing manner

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

LikeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

Plumfield

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

Quackenboss

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

remarkedverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkt/

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

safeadjectiveUS /seɪf/

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

satiricallyadverb

in a satirical manner

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

seenverbUS /siːn/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

SethnounUS /seθ/

(Old Testament) third son of Adam and Eve; given by God in place of the murdered Abel

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "I should think he'd ha' hurt himself."

shuttingnounUS /ˈʃʌtɪŋ/

the act of closing something

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

smarteradjectiveUS /ˈsmɑːrtər/

comparative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

stayverbUS /steɪ/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

thankverbUS /θæŋk/

express gratitude or show appreciation to

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I should think he'd ha' hurt himself."

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

unsuspectingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ/

not suspicious

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading "Seth Plumfield ha'n't done a smarter thing than that in a good while," Barby remarked satirically as he was shutting the door.

whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Fleda said nothing and looked as little as possible of her disappointment, and her cousin went away wholly unsuspecting of it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading The first thing next morning Seth Plumfield came down to say that he had seen Dr. Quackenboss the night before and had chanced to find out that he was going to New York too, this very day; and knowing that the doctor would be just as safe an escort as himself, Seth had made over the charge of his cousin to him; "calculating," he said, "that it would make no difference to Fleda and that he had better stay at home with his mother."

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I thank you for your company; but good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.--As You Like It.

Chapter 31 of Queechy by Susan Warner holds 424 sentences, grouped into 85 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 Queechy contain?

Chapter 31 holds 424 sentences of Queechy, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 31 of Queechy by Susan Warner exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 424 sentences, grouped into 85 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 Queechy?

Work through the 85 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 85 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 Queechy

Common questions about reading Queechy by Susan Warner on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Queechy?

Yes. All 14399 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #8874 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Queechy is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #8874, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Queechy take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2880 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Queechy section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Queechy 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 Queechy

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

Single
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Queechy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cloud
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Queechy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sunny
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Queechy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Heaven
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Queechy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.