Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Sir Gibbie
Sir Gibbie

Chapter XXVI

Cover illustration for Sir Gibbie
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MRS.
SCLATER.
Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.
Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.
He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.
0:00 / 0:00
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.

Sir Gibbie

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MRS.
Line 2
SCLATER.
Line 3
Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.
Line 4
Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.
Line 5
He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.”

Dream noun US /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading “Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.”

All words in this reading · 63

Every word is available to listen to. 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 Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

conductor

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

delights

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

door

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

down

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

entered

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

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

feet

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

felt

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

field

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

flight

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

future

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

Gibbie

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

granite

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

grass

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

house

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

important-looking

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

impressed

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

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

inside

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

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

large

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

mingled

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

moment

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

MRS

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

From this reading MRS.

much

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

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

past

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

SCLATER

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

From this reading SCLATER.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

soft

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

steps

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

surprise

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

there

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Gibbie had never been inside such a house in his life, but when they entered, he was not much impressed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

true

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

up

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

walking

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

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Gibbie was in a dream of mingled past and future delights, when his conductor stopped at a large and important-looking house, with a flight of granite steps up to the door.

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did look with a little surprise, it is true, but it was down, not up: he felt his feet walking soft, and wondered for a moment that there should be a field of grass in a house.