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

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Splashes of red is here in full — 418 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Splashes of red
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Author of Unwritten Law,” Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.
West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.
That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of Foghorn McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.
That bulldogger was Jack Marling, the Oklahoma Kid.
Time, seventeen seconds flat.
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.

Splashes of red

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Splashes of red is here in full — 418 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Author ofUnwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.
Line 2
West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.
Line 3
That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, theOklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice ofFoghornMcNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.
Line 4
That bulldogger was Jack Marling, the Oklahoma Kid.
Line 5
Time, seventeen seconds flat.
/taɪm ˈsevənˈtiːn ˈsekəndz flæt/

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.

bronc noun US /brɑːŋk/

an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang

From this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

cowgirl noun US /ˈkaʊɡɜːrl/

a woman cowboy

From this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

Oklahoma noun US /ˌoʊkləˈhoʊmə/

a state in south central United States

From this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

participate verb US /pɑːrˈtɪsəpeɪt/

share in something

From this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

rodeo noun US /ˈroʊdioʊ/

an exhibition of cowboy skills

From this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

Speedway noun US /ˈspiːdweɪ/

road where high speed driving is allowed

From this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

Unwritten adjective US /ənˈrɪtən/

based on custom rather than documentation

From this reading “Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.”

wrestled verb US /ˈresəld/

past form of “wrestle” — combat to overcome an opposing tendency or force

From this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

Unwritten Law adjective + noun

law based on customary behavior

In this reading “Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.”

across the field preposition + article + noun counted as “across … field”

In this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

stood waiting verb + noun

In this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

participate in verb + particle

In this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

big city adjective + noun

In this reading “West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.”

came booming verb + adjective counted as “come booming”

In this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

on the program preposition + article + noun counted as “on … program”

In this reading “That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.”

own methods verb + noun counted as “own method”

In this reading “West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

AuthornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

badadjectiveUS /bæd/

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/

very lively and profitable

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

broncnounUS /brɑːŋk/

an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

bulldogger

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

From this reading “That bulldogger was Jack Marling, the Oklahoma Kid.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

clothesnounUS /kloʊðz/

clothing in general

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

comesnounUS /kʌmz/

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

cowgirlnounUS /ˈkaʊɡɜːrl/

a woman cowboy

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

crimenounUS /kraɪm/

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

crowdedadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊdəd/

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

detectionnounUS /dɪˈtekʃən/

the perception that something has occurred or some state exists

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

Diggeth

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

From this reading Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

EastnounUS /iːst/

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

eggnounUS /eɡ/

animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

Etc

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

From this reading Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

eventnounUS /ɪˈvent/

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

facenounUS /feɪs/

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

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

fallverbUS /fɔːl/

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

fieldnounUS /fiːld/

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

flatadjectiveUS /flæt/

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading Time, seventeen seconds flat.

Foghornnoun

a loud low warning signal that can be heard by fogbound ships

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

God'snounUS /ɡɑːdz/

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

grandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

holdingnounUS /ˈhoʊldɪŋ/

the act of retaining something

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

horsenounUS /hɔːrs/

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

JacknounUS /dʒæk/

a small worthless amount

From this reading “That bulldogger was Jack Marling, the Oklahoma Kid.

KidverbUS /kɪd/

tell false information to for fun

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

LawnounUS /lɔː/

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

Marling

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

From this reading “That bulldogger was Jack Marling, the Oklahoma Kid.

McNamara

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

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

Millie

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

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

moonlitadjectiveUS /ˈmuːnlɪt/

lighted by moonlight

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

OklahomanounUS /ˌoʊkləˈhoʊmə/

a state in south central United States

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

ParknounUS /pɑːrk/

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

participateverbUS /pɑːrˈtɪsəpeɪt/

share in something

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

performernounUS /pərˈfɔːrmər/

an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

PitnounUS /pɪt/

A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.

From this reading Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

programnounUS /ˈproʊɡræm/

a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

provesverbUS /pruːvz/

third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

rodeonounUS /ˈroʊdioʊ/

an exhibition of cowboy skills

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Time, seventeen seconds flat.

seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/

being one more than sixteen

From this reading Time, seventeen seconds flat.

SpeedwaynounUS /ˈspiːdweɪ/

road where high speed driving is allowed

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

standverbUS /stænd/

be standing; be upright

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

starnounUS /stɑːr/

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

steerverbUS /stɪr/

direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

TimenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Time, seventeen seconds flat.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

UnwrittenadjectiveUS /ənˈrɪtən/

based on custom rather than documentation

From this reading Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “That bulldogger was Jack Marling, the Oklahoma Kid.

WaynenounUS /weɪn/

United States film actor who played tough heroes (1907-1979)

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

WestnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

Whoso

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

From this reading Author of “Unwritten Law,” “Whoso Diggeth a Pit,” Etc.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading West comes East--and proves that its own methods for crime detection work as well in the big city as they do in the God’s country.

wrestledverbUS /ˈresəld/

past form of “wrestle” — combat to overcome an opposing tendency or force

From this reading That star rodeo performer, but as bad an egg as ever moonlit a bronc, the “Oklahoma Kid,” wrestled his steer to a quick fall, and the voice of “Foghorn” McNamara, holding his horse quiet to face the crowded grand stand at Speedway Park, came booming across the field to where Millie Wayne, in her cowgirl clothes, stood waiting to participate in the next event on the program.

Chapter 1 of Splashes of red by J. Frank (James Francis) Davis holds 418 sentences, grouped into 84 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 1 of Splashes of red contain?

Chapter 1 holds 418 sentences of Splashes of red, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Splashes of red by J. Frank (James Francis) Davis exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 418 sentences, grouped into 84 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Splashes of red?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Splashes of red

Common questions about reading Splashes of red by J. Frank (James Francis) Davis on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Splashes of red?

Yes. All 418 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #73618 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Splashes of red is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #73618, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Splashes of red take to read?

About 34 minutes of reading across 84 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Splashes of red section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Splashes of red 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 Splashes of red

Words and structures a reader meets early in Splashes of red, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Splashes of red; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Unwritten
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Splashes of red; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Whoso
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Splashes of red; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Diggeth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Splashes of red; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.