The Birthright

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Birthright is here in full — 257 sentences across 52 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Joseph Hocking • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

WHAT HAPPENED AT CAP'N JACK'S HOUSE--TAMSIN'S CONFESSION, AND THE SMUGGLERS' PLANS As I looked into Tamsin Truscott's eyes, I could not help thinking what a good-looking maid she was.

I was sure she spoke earnestly, too.

Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

Narrator

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter IX Reading 1/51

The Birthright Joseph Hocking

Chapter IX

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Birthright is here in full — 257 sentences across 52 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

WHAT HAPPENED AT CAP'N JACK'S HOUSE--TAMSIN'S CONFESSION, AND THE SMUGGLERS' PLANS As I looked into Tamsin Truscott's eyes, I could not help thinking what a good-looking maid she was. I was sure she spoke earnestly, too. Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them. Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been. Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

The Birthright

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Birthright is here in full — 257 sentences across 52 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1

WHAT HAPPENED AT CAP'N JACK'S HOUSE--TAMSIN'S CONFESSION, AND THE SMUGGLERS' PLANS As I looked into Tamsin Truscott's eyes, I could not help thinking what a good-looking maid she was.

Line 2

I was sure she spoke earnestly, too.

/aɪ wɑːz ʃʊr ʃiː spoʊk ˈɜːrnəstli tuː/

Line 3

Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

/ˈevədəntli ʃiː rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd miː æz ˈdɪfərənt frʌm ðə ɡæŋ ʌv men ʌv wɪtʃ hɜːr ˈfɑːðər wɑːz ˈkæptən ənd ˈwɔːntɪd tuː noʊ ðə ˈriːzən ʌv maɪ ˈkʌmɪŋ əˈmʌŋ ðem/

Line 4

Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

Line 5

Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

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.

clever adjective US /ˈklevər/

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading “Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.”

confession noun US /kənˈfeʃən/

an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading “WHAT HAPPENED AT CAP'N JACK'S HOUSE--TAMSIN'S CONFESSION, AND THE SMUGGLERS' PLANS As I looked into Tamsin Truscott's eyes, I could not help thinking what a good-looking maid she was.”

earnestly adverb US /ˈɜːrnəstli/

in a serious manner

From this reading “I was sure she spoke earnestly, too.”

gang noun US /ɡæŋ/

an association of criminals

From this reading “Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.”

good-looking adjective US /ˈɡʊdlʊkɪŋ/

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

jack's noun US /dʒæks/

possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount

plans noun US /plænz/

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

smugglers noun US /ˈsmʌɡlərz/

plural of “smuggler” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties

All words in this reading · 78

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 WHAT HAPPENED AT CAP'N JACK'S HOUSE--TAMSIN'S CONFESSION, AND THE SMUGGLERS' PLANS As I looked into Tamsin Truscott's eyes, I could not help thinking what a good-looking maid she was.

althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

braveadjectiveUS /breɪv/

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

CAP'N

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

captainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

cleveradjectiveUS /ˈklevər/

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

CONFESSIONnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/

an admission of misdeeds or faults

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

earnestlyadverbUS /ˈɜːrnəstli/

in a serious manner

From this reading I was sure she spoke earnestly, too.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

EvidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/

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

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/

an association of criminals

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

good-lookingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdlʊkɪŋ/

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

HAPPENEDverbUS /ˈhæpənd/

past form of “happen” — come to pass

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

HonestadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnəst/

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

HOUSEnounUS /haʊs/

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

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

JACK'SnounUS /dʒæks/

possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

maidnounUS /meɪd/

a female domestic

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

Penningtons

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

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

PLANSnounUS /plænz/

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/

with speed

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

racenounUS /reɪs/

any competition

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

regardedverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Now I have before said I have never regarded myself as a clever man--none of my race have ever been.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

SMUGGLERSnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlərz/

plural of “smuggler” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties

spokenounUS /spoʊk/

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading I was sure she spoke earnestly, too.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading I was sure she spoke earnestly, too.

Tamsin

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

TAMSIN'S

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

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading I was sure she spoke earnestly, too.

Truscott's

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

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Evidently she regarded me as different from the gang of men of which her father was captain, and wanted to know the reason of my coming among them.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Honest men the Penningtons have always been; brave men, too, although I, perhaps, am not the man to say it, but not men who understand things quickly.

Chapter 9 of The Birthright by Joseph Hocking holds 257 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 9 of The Birthright contain?

Chapter 9 holds 257 sentences of The Birthright, unabridged, divided into 52 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of The Birthright by Joseph Hocking exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 257 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 9 of The Birthright?

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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Birthright

Common questions about reading The Birthright by Joseph Hocking on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Birthright?

Yes. All 6519 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #27591 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Birthright is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #27591, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Birthright take to read?

About 543 minutes of reading across 1304 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Open a chapter

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

Vocabulary met early in The Birthright

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

Printing: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Birthright; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
House: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Birthright; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Writing: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Birthright; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Story: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Birthright; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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Vocabulary met early in The Birthright