Chapter 26 of The Birthright is here in full — 250 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XXVI
Chapter 26 of The Birthright is here in full — 250 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting. "She'll get better." Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott. "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not. "What's the matter?" he continued presently.
Chapter 26 of The Birthright is here in full — 250 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/50 · 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.
a right or privilege that you are entitled to at birth
From this reading “TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.”
a small inlet
From this reading “Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.”
plural of “finish” — a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading “TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.”
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading “TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.”
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading “TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.”
past form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise
From this reading “"I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.”
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading “TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.”
having won
From this reading “TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.”
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.
anew
From this reading "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "She'll get better."
a right or privilege that you are entitled to at birth
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
without stop or interruption
From this reading "What's the matter?" he continued presently.
a small inlet
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
plural of “finish” — a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "She'll get better."
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
past form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise
From this reading "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "What's the matter?" he continued presently.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
in the near future
From this reading "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She'll get better."
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I remembered that he had come from Kynance Cove, and spoke of Tamsin Truscott.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading "I did ride vast," he grunted again presently, but I spoke not.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's the matter?" he continued presently.
having won
From this reading TELLS OF MY FORTUNES IN WINNING BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT, AND FINISHES THE TALE "She ed'n killed," was his first greeting.
Chapter 26 of The Birthright by Joseph Hocking holds 250 sentences, grouped into 50 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 26 holds 250 sentences of The Birthright, unabridged, divided into 50 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 26 of The Birthright by Joseph Hocking exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 250 sentences, grouped into 50 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 50 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 50 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 26 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 Birthright by Joseph Hocking on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 6519 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #27591 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #27591, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 543 minutes of reading across 1304 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Birthright section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 26 chapters of The Birthright 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 Birthright, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
