The Abandoned Farmer

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Abandoned Farmer is here in full — 468 sentences across 94 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Sydney Herman Preston • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Abandoned Farmer

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

"Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

It was the very problem I was wrestling with.

If the butcher had not been waiting, and if Marion hadn't followed me so closely, I would have snatched a moment to consult my books of reference, but I had no time even to collect my thoughts properly.

I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

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 III Reading 1/93

The Abandoned Farmer Sydney Herman Preston

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Abandoned Farmer is here in full — 468 sentences across 94 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me. "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?" It was the very problem I was wrestling with. If the butcher had not been waiting, and if Marion hadn't followed me so closely, I would have snatched a moment to consult my books of reference, but I had no time even to collect my thoughts properly. I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

The Abandoned Farmer

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Abandoned Farmer is here in full — 468 sentences across 94 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/93 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

Line 2

"Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

Line 3

It was the very problem I was wrestling with.

/ɪt wɑːz ðə ˈveri ˈprɑːbləm aɪ wɑːz ˈreslɪŋ wɪð/

Line 4

Line 5

I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

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.

butcher verb US /ˈbʊtʃər/

kill (animals) usually for food consumption

From this reading “If the butcher had not been waiting, and if Marion hadn't followed me so closely, I would have snatched a moment to consult my books of reference, but I had no time even to collect my thoughts properly.”

collect verb US /kəˈlekt/

get or gather together

confidential adjective US /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading “"Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"”

consult verb US /kənˈsʌlt/

get or ask advice from

predicament noun US /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/

a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

From this reading “I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.”

schoolboy noun US /ˈskuːlbɔɪ/

a boy attending school

From this reading “I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.”

strippers noun US /ˈstrɪpərz/

plural of “stripper” — a chemical compound used to remove paint or varnish

From this reading “"Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"”

wrestling noun US /ˈreslɪŋ/

the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat

From this reading “It was the very problem I was wrestling with.”

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.

confidential tone adjective + noun

In this reading “"Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"”

get ready verb + adjective

In this reading “I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.”

went into verb + particle counted as “go into”

to come or go into

In this reading “I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.”

into the house preposition + article + noun counted as “into … house”

In this reading “I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.”

think of verb + particle

keep in mind for attention or consideration

In this reading “I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

answerverbUS /ˈænsər/

react verbally

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/

causing inconvenience

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If the butcher had not been waiting, and if Marion hadn't followed me so closely, I would have snatched a moment to consult my books of reference, but I had no time even to collect my thoughts properly.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

butcherverbUS /ˈbʊtʃər/

kill (animals) usually for food consumption

cannot

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

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

closelyadverbUS /ˈkloʊsli/

in a close relation or position in time or space

collectverbUS /kəˈlekt/

get or gather together

confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

consultverbUS /kənˈsʌlt/

get or ask advice from

cowsnounUS /kaʊz/

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

hadn't

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

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

HenrynounUS /ˈhenri/

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

inquiredverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərd/

past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the very problem I was wrestling with.

knowsnounUS /noʊz/

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

Marion

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

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

predicamentnounUS /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/

a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading It was the very problem I was wrestling with.

properlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːpərli/

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/

a remark that calls attention to something or someone

schoolboynounUS /ˈskuːlbɔɪ/

a boy attending school

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

snatchedverbUS /snætʃt/

past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

somehowadverbUS /ˈsʌmhaʊ/

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

strippersnounUS /ˈstrɪpərz/

plural of “stripper” — a chemical compound used to remove paint or varnish

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

tonenounUS /toʊn/

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

tripnounUS /trɪp/

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading It was the very problem I was wrestling with.

waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

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

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was the very problem I was wrestling with.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading I went into the house to get ready for the trip; Marion followed me.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential tone, "what _are_ fresh cows,--and strippers?"

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was the very problem I was wrestling with.

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

wrestlingnounUS /ˈreslɪŋ/

the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat

From this reading It was the very problem I was wrestling with.

Chapter 3 of The Abandoned Farmer by Sydney Herman Preston holds 468 sentences, grouped into 94 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 3 of The Abandoned Farmer contain?

Chapter 3 holds 468 sentences of The Abandoned Farmer, unabridged, divided into 94 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Abandoned Farmer by Sydney Herman Preston exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 468 sentences, grouped into 94 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 3 of The Abandoned Farmer?

Work through the 94 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 94 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Abandoned Farmer

Common questions about reading The Abandoned Farmer by Sydney Herman Preston on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Abandoned Farmer?

Yes. All 2302 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #48453 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Abandoned Farmer is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #48453, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Abandoned Farmer take to read?

About 191 minutes of reading across 461 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Abandoned Farmer section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 5 chapters of The Abandoned Farmer 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 Abandoned Farmer

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Abandoned Farmer, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Https: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Abandoned Farmer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Peter: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Abandoned Farmer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Waydean: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Abandoned Farmer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Found: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Abandoned Farmer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter III

What does chapter 3 of The Abandoned Farmer contain?

How do I study chapter 3 of The Abandoned Farmer?

Can chapter 3 be read aloud to me?

Questions about reading The Abandoned Farmer

How to read The Abandoned Farmer section by section

Open a chapter

Read one section

Listen and tap

Vocabulary met early in The Abandoned Farmer