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The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 18 of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories is here in full — 205 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Mark Twain • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

“Wait!”

said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

“Helen,” said the other aunt, impressively, “tell your mother all.

Narrator

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.

Chapter XV Reading 1/41

The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 18 of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories is here in full — 205 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

Line 2

The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

Line 3

“Wait!”

Line 4

said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

Line 5

“Helen,” said the other aunt, impressively, “tell your mother all.

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.

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.”

All words in this reading · 58

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.

all

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

From this reading “Helen,” said the other aunt, impressively, “tell your mother all.

and

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

arms

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

Aunt

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

aunts

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

austere

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

bed

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

by

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

child

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

eyes

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

fell

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

flamed

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

from

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

girl

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

hand

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

Hannah

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

head

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

Helen

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

From this reading “Helen,” said the other aunt, impressively, “tell your mother all.

her

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

impressively

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

From this reading “Helen,” said the other aunt, impressively, “tell your mother all.

instantly

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

into

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

last

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

leaping

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

mother

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

mother-love

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

named

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

of

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

on

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

opened

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

other

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

From this reading “Helen,” said the other aunt, impressively, “tell your mother all.

out

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

passionate

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

pillow

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

put

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

refuge

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

said

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

she

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

shelter

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

sobbing

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

softly

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

stayed

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

sympathy

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

tell

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

From this reading “Helen,” said the other aunt, impressively, “tell your mother all.

The

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

them

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

From this reading said Aunt Hannah, and put out her hand and stayed the girl from leaping into them.

they

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

three

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

tired

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

transgressor

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

From this reading The three last named stood by the bed; the aunts austere, the transgressor softly sobbing.

turned

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

up

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

upon

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

Wait

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

From this reading “Wait!”

when

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

with

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

From this reading The mother turned her head on the pillow; her tired eyes flamed up instantly with sympathy and passionate mother-love when they fell upon her child, and she opened the refuge and shelter of her arms.

your

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

From this reading “Helen,” said the other aunt, impressively, “tell your mother all.

Chapter 18 of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories by Mark Twain holds 205 sentences, grouped into 41 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 18 of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories contain?

Chapter 18 holds 205 sentences of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories, unabridged, divided into 41 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories by Mark Twain exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 205 sentences, grouped into 41 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 18 of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories?

Work through the 41 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 41 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 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 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 The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories

Common questions about reading The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories by Mark Twain on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories?

Yes. All 5342 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #142 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #142, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories take to read?

About 445 minutes of reading across 1069 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories section by section

How to work through The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 27 chapters of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories

Words and structures a reader meets early in The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Blues: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Curious: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Californian's: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Helpless: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.