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Tetherstones
Tetherstones

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Tetherstones is here in full — 210 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tetherstones
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_
By Ethel M. Dell Author of The Way of an Eagle,” Charles Rex,” etc.
Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.
The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.
Of all that stony wilderness, The only fruit.
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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.

Tetherstones

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Tetherstones is here in full — 210 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_
Line 2
By Ethel M. Dell Author ofThe Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.
Line 3
Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrificeForgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.
Line 4
The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.
Line 5
Of all that stony wilderness, The only fruit.
/ʌv ɔːl ðæt ˈstoʊni ˈwɪldərnəs ðə ˈoʊnli fruːt/

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.

agonies noun US /ˈæɡəniz/

plural of “agony” — intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain

From this reading “Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.”

Dell noun US /del/

a small wooded hollow

From this reading “By Ethel M. Dell Author of “The Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.”

Hundredth noun US /ˈhʌndrədθ/

position 100 in a countable series of things

From this reading “_The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_”

Rex noun US /reks/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading “By Ethel M. Dell Author of “The Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.”

rites noun US /raɪts/

plural of “rite” — an established ceremony prescribed by a religion

From this reading “Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.”

stone's noun US /stoʊnz/

possessive form of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

Swindler noun US /ˈswɪndələr/

a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud

From this reading “_The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_”

Tidal adjective US /ˈtaɪdəl/

of or relating to or caused by tides

From this reading “_The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_”

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.

Tidal Wave adjective + noun

an overwhelming manifestation of some emotion or phenomenon

In this reading “_The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_”

flowers bloom noun + noun counted as “flower bloom”

In this reading “The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.”

takes root verb + noun counted as “take root”

become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style

In this reading “The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.”

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

In this reading “Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.”

All words in this reading · 86

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.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

agoniesnounUS /ˈæɡəniz/

plural of “agony” — intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Of all that stony wilderness, The only fruit.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

AuthornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

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

From this reading By Ethel M. Dell Author of “The Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.

BarsnounUS /bɑːrz/

gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

bloomnounUS /bluːm/

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By Ethel M. Dell Author of “The Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.

ChancenounUS /tʃæns/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

CharlesnounUS /tʃɑːrlz/

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

CurtainnounUS /ˈkɜːrtən/

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

DellnounUS /del/

a small wooded hollow

From this reading By Ethel M. Dell Author of “The Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.

DesertverbUS /ˈdezərt/

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

DiamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

DoornounUS /dɔːr/

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

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

e'eradverb

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

EaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

else

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

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

etc

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

From this reading By Ethel M. Dell Author of “The Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.

Ethel

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

From this reading By Ethel M. Dell Author of “The Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.

firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

floatverbUS /floʊt/

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

footnounUS /fʊt/

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

ForgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

fruitnounUS /fruːt/

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading Of all that stony wilderness, The only fruit.

Greatheart

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

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

grimadjectiveUS /ɡrɪm/

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

growverbUS /ɡroʊ/

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

hare-bells

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

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

heaven-blue

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

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

hillnounUS /hɪl/

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

HitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/

an old word meaning “to this place”

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

HundredthnounUS /ˈhʌndrədθ/

position 100 in a countable series of things

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

IronnounUS /ˈaɪərn/

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

KeepernounUS /ˈkiːpər/

someone in charge of other people

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

KnavenounUS /neɪv/

a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

LampnounUS /læmp/

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

LikeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

lingeringnounUS /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/

the act of tarrying

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading By Ethel M. Dell Author of “The Way of an Eagle,” “Charles Rex,” etc.

MadeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

mist-wreaths

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

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

noughtnoun

a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

ObstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/

something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

OddsnounUS /ɑːdz/

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Of all that stony wilderness, The only fruit.

OtheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

RacenounUS /reɪs/

any competition

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

RexnounUS /reks/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

riseverbUS /raɪz/

move upward

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

ritesnounUS /raɪts/

plural of “rite” — an established ceremony prescribed by a religion

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

RocksnounUS /rɑːks/

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

rootnounUS /ruːt/

(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

sacrificenounUS /ˈsækrəfaɪs/

the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

SafetynounUS /ˈseɪfti/

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

smokenounUS /smoʊk/

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

StatesnounUS /steɪts/

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

stone'snounUS /stoʊnz/

possessive form of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

stonyadjectiveUS /ˈstoʊni/

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading Of all that stony wilderness, The only fruit.

StoriesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

SwindlernounUS /ˈswɪndələr/

a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

takesnounUS /teɪks/

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The heaven-blue flowers bloom below About the grim stone’s foot, The sweet hare-bells that always grow Where nought else e’er takes root.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

TidaladjectiveUS /ˈtaɪdəl/

of or relating to or caused by tides

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

TopnounUS /tɑːp/

the upper part of anything

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

Valpré

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

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

WavenounUS /weɪv/

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

WaynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Made in the United States of America The lonely circle on the hill Where mist-wreaths float and rise Hither and thither, lingering still, Like smoke of sacrifice— Forgotten fires, forgotten rites, Forgotten agonies.

wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading Of all that stony wilderness, The only fruit.

WorldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading _The Way of an Eagle_ _The Knave of Diamonds_ _The Rocks of Valpré_ _The Swindler, and Other Stories_ _The Keeper of the Door_ _Bars of Iron_ _The Hundredth Chance_ _The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories_ _Greatheart_ _The Lamp in the Desert_ _The Tidal Wave_ _The Top of the World_ _The Obstacle Race_ _The Odds and Other Stories_ _Charles Rex_

Chapter 1 of Tetherstones by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell holds 210 sentences, grouped into 42 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 Tetherstones contain?

Chapter 1 holds 210 sentences of Tetherstones, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Tetherstones by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 210 sentences, grouped into 42 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 Tetherstones?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 Tetherstones

Common questions about reading Tetherstones by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tetherstones?

Yes. All 9048 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59181 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tetherstones is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59181, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tetherstones take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1810 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tetherstones section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Tetherstones 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 Tetherstones

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

Eagle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tetherstones; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Knave
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tetherstones; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Diamonds
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tetherstones; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rocks
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tetherstones; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.