Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Adventures of a Modest Man
The Adventures of a Modest Man

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Adventures of a Modest Man is here in full — 259 sentences across 52 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Adventures of a Modest Man
Context Illustration Reading 1/51 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.
"DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!
Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.
I had no idea he was really ill.
Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Adventures of a Modest Man

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Adventures of a Modest Man is here in full — 259 sentences across 52 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/51 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.
Line 2
"DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!
Line 3
Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.
Line 4
I had no idea he was really ill.
/aɪ hæd noʊ aɪˈdiːə hiː wɑːz ˈrɪli ɪl/
Line 5
Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

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.

alarmed adjective US /əˈlɑːrmd/

experiencing a sudden sense of danger

From this reading “Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.”

Arrival noun US /ərˈaɪvəl/

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading “TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.”

Beach noun US /biːtʃ/

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading “TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.”

cure verb US /kjʊr/

provide a cure for, make healthy again

From this reading “Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.”

Dresser noun US /ˈdresər/

furniture with drawers for keeping clothes

From this reading “TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.”

failing noun US /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/

a flaw or weak point

From this reading “Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.”

Palm noun US /pɑːm/

the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

From this reading “TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.”

spoiled adjective US /spɔɪld/

having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention

From this reading “"DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!”

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.

few minutes adjective + noun

In this reading “Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.”

failing health noun + noun

In this reading “Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.”

serious matter adjective + noun

In this reading “Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.”

six days noun + noun

In this reading “Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.”

really ill adverb + adjective

In this reading “I had no idea he was really ill.”

start for verb + particle

In this reading “Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.”

All words in this reading · 71

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.

11.30

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

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading "DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!

alarmedadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmd/

experiencing a sudden sense of danger

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

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 "DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

ArrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

Avalon

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

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

BeachnounUS /biːtʃ/

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

cureverbUS /kjʊr/

provide a cure for, make healthy again

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading "DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!

DressernounUS /ˈdresər/

furniture with drawers for keeping clothes

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

EveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

EverythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading "DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!

EvidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/

a flaw or weak point

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

Father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

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 Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

FoundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I had no idea he was really ill.

Harroll

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

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I had no idea he was really ill.

healthnounUS /helθ/

a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I had no idea he was really ill.

ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I had no idea he was really ill.

illadjectiveUS /ɪl/

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading I had no idea he was really ill.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!

IslandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

JIM

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

From this reading "DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!

MnounUS /em/

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

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading I had no idea he was really ill.

NotenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

PalmnounUS /pɑːm/

the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading I had no idea he was really ill.

seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

sixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/

having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention

From this reading "DEAR JIM--Everything is spoiled, after all!

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Evidently he is alarmed, for we have only been here six days, and in a few minutes we are to start for Avalon.

suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

TROUBLEnounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

tryverbUS /traɪ/

make an effort or attempt

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

TWOnounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I had no idea he was really ill.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Father's failing health has suddenly become a serious matter, and we are going to try the 'nature cure,' or whatever they call it, at Avalon Island.

YoungadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading TROUBLE FOR TWO _A Note Found by Young Harroll on his Dresser the Evening of his Arrival at Palm Beach._ "11.30 A.M.

Chapter 4 of The Adventures of a Modest Man by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers holds 259 sentences, grouped into 52 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 4 of The Adventures of a Modest Man contain?

Chapter 4 holds 259 sentences of The Adventures of a Modest Man, unabridged, divided into 52 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Adventures of a Modest Man by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 259 sentences, grouped into 52 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 4 of The Adventures of a Modest Man?

Work through the 52 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 52 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Adventures of a Modest Man

Common questions about reading The Adventures of a Modest Man by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Adventures of a Modest Man?

Yes. All 4266 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #43702 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Adventures of a Modest Man is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #43702, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Adventures of a Modest Man take to read?

About 355 minutes of reading across 854 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Adventures of a Modest Man section by section

How to work through The Adventures of a Modest Man section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of The Adventures of a Modest Man 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 The Adventures of a Modest Man

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Adventures of a Modest Man, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Adventures
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Adventures of a Modest Man; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Modest
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Adventures of a Modest Man; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ailsa
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Adventures of a Modest Man; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Paige
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Adventures of a Modest Man; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.