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Robin
Robin

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Robin is here in full — 158 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.
She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.
She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.
Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.
His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.
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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.

Robin

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Robin is here in full — 158 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.
Line 2
She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.
Line 3
She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.
Line 4
Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.
/ðer wɜːrldz hæd bɪn fɑːr əˈpɑːrt ənd ˈdeɪli əˈdʒʌstmənt tuː ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz ɪz nɑːt ˈiːzi ðoʊ ɪt meɪ biː əˈkɑːmplɪʃt wɪˈθaʊt ðə bɪˈtreɪ.əl ʌv ˈeni ˈaʊtwərd saɪn/
Line 5
His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

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.

adjustment noun US /əˈdʒʌstmənt/

making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading “Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.”

betrayal noun US /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/

The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.

From this reading “Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.”

chimneys noun US /ˈtʃɪmniz/

plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading “She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.”

grade noun US /ɡreɪd/

a body of students who are taught together

From this reading “She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.”

hansom noun US /ˈhænsəm/

a two-wheeled horse-drawn covered carriage with the driver's seat above and behind the passengers

From this reading “In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.”

homelike adjective US /ˈhoʊmlaɪk/

having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable

From this reading “She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.”

Manchester noun US /ˈmæntʃestər/

largest city in New Hampshire; located in southeastern New Hampshire on the Merrimack river

From this reading “She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.”

rumble verb US /ˈrʌmbəl/

make a low noise

From this reading “She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

accomplishedadjectiveUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/

highly skilled

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

adjustmentnounUS /əˈdʒʌstmənt/

making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

betrayalnounUS /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/

The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

cabnounUS /kæb/

a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/

plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

circumstancesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz/

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

comfortedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪd/

made comfortable or more comfortable in a time of distress

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/

soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

dailyadverbUS /ˈdeɪli/

every day; without missing a day

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/

socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

descendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

Dowie

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

Eaton

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/

a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/

well known or easily recognized

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

familiaritynounUS /fəˌmɪˈljerəti/

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

feltverbUS /felt/

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

gradenounUS /ɡreɪd/

a body of students who are taught together

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

hansomnounUS /ˈhænsəm/

a two-wheeled horse-drawn covered carriage with the driver's seat above and behind the passengers

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

Henrietta

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

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

homelikeadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmlaɪk/

having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

housenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

leaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

lordship's

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

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

ManchesternounUS /ˈmæntʃestər/

largest city in New Hampshire; located in southeastern New Hampshire on the Merrimack river

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

Manchester's

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

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/

being nothing more than specified

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/

relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/

capable of happening or existing

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/

make short successive sounds

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

roarverbUS /rɔːr/

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

rumbleverbUS /ˈrʌmbəl/

make a low noise

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

signnounUS /saɪn/

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

smokenounUS /smoʊk/

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

SquareverbUS /skwer/

make square

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/

make steady

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

streetsnounUS /striːts/

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/

a request to be present

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

trainverbUS /treɪn/

create by training and teaching

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading She was comforted somewhat by the mere familiarity of things--even by the grade of smoke which seemed in some way to be different from the smoke of Manchester's cotton factory chimneys--by the order of rattle and roar and rumble, which had a homelike sound.

weeksnounUS /wiːks/

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In little more than two weeks Dowie descended from her train in the London station and took a hansom cab which carried her through the familiar streets to Eaton Square.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had not felt at home in Manchester and she had not felt quite at home with Henrietta though she had done her duty by her.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/

plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Their worlds had been far apart and daily adjustment to circumstances is not easy though it may be accomplished without the betrayal of any outward sign.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading His lordship's summons had come soon, as he had said it would, but he had made it possible for her to leave in the little house a steady and decent woman to take her place when she gave it up.

Chapter 23 of Robin by Frances Hodgson Burnett holds 158 sentences, grouped into 32 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 23 of Robin contain?

Chapter 23 holds 158 sentences of Robin, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of Robin by Frances Hodgson Burnett exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 158 sentences, grouped into 32 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 23 of Robin?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Robin

Common questions about reading Robin by Frances Hodgson Burnett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Robin?

Yes. All 6686 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #18945 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Robin is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #18945, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Robin take to read?

About 557 minutes of reading across 1338 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Robin section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 43 chapters of Robin 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 Robin

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

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Robin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shuttle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Robin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Secret
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Robin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Garden
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Robin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.