Chapter 30 of The Bird in the Box is here in full — 80 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XXX
Chapter 30 of The Bird in the Box is here in full — 80 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?" The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk. "Mr. St. Ives? I will send for him. Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
Chapter 30 of The Bird in the Box is here in full — 80 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
concealing something under the ground
From this reading “Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."”
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading “Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."”
United States composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)
From this reading “THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"”
Roman Emperor and nephew of Constantine; he restored paganism as the official religion of the Roman Empire and destroyed Christian temples but his decision was reversed after his death (331?-363)
From this reading “Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."”
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading “Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."”
completely unclothed
From this reading “Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."”
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading “The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.”
plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading “THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"”
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.
In this reading “Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."”
In this reading “Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."”
In this reading “The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.”
In this reading “Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."”
order, request, or command to come
In this reading “I will send for him.”
In this reading “The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
a youthful male person
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
concealing something under the ground
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
remove the dust from
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I will send for him.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I will send for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I will send for him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
United States composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
Roman Emperor and nephew of Constantine; he restored paganism as the official religion of the Roman Empire and destroyed Christian temples but his decision was reversed after his death (331?-363)
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
a form of address for a man
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
completely unclothed
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading I will send for him.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PLACE OF THE STATUES "Is Mr. St. Ives here?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
in or at the place that
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
a Caucasian
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
which person or people
From this reading Julian,"--to a boy, who in the doorway was burying his naked feet in the fine white marble dust like snow,--"Mr. St. Ives,--a lady."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I will send for him.
the act of creating written works
From this reading The question fell into the silence of an office where Barbieri, the proprietor, was writing at a desk.
Chapter 30 of The Bird in the Box by Mary M. (Mary Martha) Mears holds 80 sentences, grouped into 16 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.
Chapter 30 holds 80 sentences of The Bird in the Box, unabridged, divided into 16 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 30 of The Bird in the Box by Mary M. (Mary Martha) Mears exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 80 sentences, grouped into 16 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.
Work through the 16 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 16 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 30 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.
Common questions about reading The Bird in the Box by Mary M. (Mary Martha) Mears on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 5304 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #55816 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #55816, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 442 minutes of reading across 1061 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Bird in the Box section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 35 chapters of The Bird in the Box to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The Bird in the Box, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
