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Stern
Stern

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of Stern is here in full — 433 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Stern
Context Illustration Reading 1/86 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
* * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.
The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.
I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."
"I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.
Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.
0:00 / 0:00
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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.

Stern

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of Stern is here in full — 433 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/86 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
* * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.
Line 2
The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.
Line 3
I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."
/aɪ ˈfɪɡjər wiː ɡet ə fjuː bɪrz ənd ˈleɪtər ˈdɪdəl hɜːr buːbz/
Line 4
"I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.
Line 5
Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

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.

beers noun US /bɪrz/

plural of “beer” — a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops

From this reading “I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."”

blond adjective US /blɑːnd/

being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or grey eyes

From this reading “* * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.”

boobs noun US /buːbz/

plural of “boob” — an ignorant or foolish person

From this reading “The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.”

diddle verb US /ˈdɪdəl/

deprive of by deceit

From this reading “I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."”

flattered verb US /ˈflætərd/

past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly

From this reading “Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.”

giddy adjective US /ˈɡɪdi/

having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling

From this reading “Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.”

tonight adverb US /təˈnaɪt/

On the present night.

From this reading “The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.”

wheelchair noun US /ˈwiːltʃer/

a movable chair mounted on large wheels; for invalids or those who cannot walk; frequently propelled by the occupant

From this reading “"I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.”

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.

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

In this reading “* * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.”

got up verb + adjective counted as “get up”

rise to one's feet

In this reading “Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

bednounUS /bed/

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

beersnounUS /bɪrz/

plural of “beer” — a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

blondadjectiveUS /blɑːnd/

being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or grey eyes

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

boobsnounUS /buːbz/

plural of “boob” — an ignorant or foolish person

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

boynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

chairnounUS /tʃer/

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

dangerousadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

diddleverbUS /ˈdɪdəl/

deprive of by deceit

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

flatteredverbUS /ˈflætərd/

past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

giddyadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪdi/

having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

GreeknounUS /ɡriːk/

the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

how

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

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.

jazzing

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

From this reading "I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.

kidverbUS /kɪd/

tell false information to for fun

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

LateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

meetingnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

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

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

others

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

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/

chosen in preference to another

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading "I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.

SternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading "I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.

talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

tonightadverbUS /təˈnaɪt/

On the present night.

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading Stern, flattered at being selected by the two, and not really sure how to say no, got up from his chair, giddy and dangerous in the night.

upstairsadverbUS /əpˈsterz/

on a floor above

From this reading "I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I figure we get a few beers and, later, diddle her boobs."

We're

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

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

wheelchairnounUS /ˈwiːltʃer/

a movable chair mounted on large wheels; for invalids or those who cannot walk; frequently propelled by the occupant

From this reading "I take her upstairs and do some jazzing," said the boy in the wheelchair.

wheelchaired

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

From this reading * * * * * Late that night, the tall, blond boy and the wheelchaired Greek came for Stern as he sat alone on the porch.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The others had gone to bed and the tall boy said, "We're meeting the kid with the boobs on the outside tonight.

Chapter 6 of Stern by Bruce Jay Friedman holds 433 sentences, grouped into 87 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 6 of Stern contain?

Chapter 6 holds 433 sentences of Stern, unabridged, divided into 87 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of Stern by Bruce Jay Friedman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 433 sentences, grouped into 87 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 6 of Stern?

Work through the 87 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 87 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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 Stern

Common questions about reading Stern by Bruce Jay Friedman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Stern?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Stern is used?

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

How long does Stern take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Stern section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of Stern 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 Stern

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

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of Stern, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of Stern, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of Stern, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.