Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Black Baronet
The Black Baronet

Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of The Black Baronet is here in full — 331 sentences across 67 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By William Carleton • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Black Baronet
Context Illustration Reading 1/66 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.
“Who is he, M'Gregor?”
“I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”
“How could I know him by that, you blockhead?”
“He's the gentleman, sir, you had hot words with.”
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 Black Baronet

Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of The Black Baronet is here in full — 331 sentences across 67 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/66 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.
Line 2
“Who is he, M'Gregor?”
Line 3
“I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”
Line 4
“How could I know him by that, you blockhead?”
Line 5
“He's the gentleman, sir, you had hot words with.”

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.

admitted verb US /ədˈmɪtɪd/

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading “Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
awaited adjective US /əˈweɪtɪd/

expected hopefully

From this reading “Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
blockhead noun US /ˈblɑːkhed/

a stupid person; these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence

From this reading ““How could I know him by that, you blockhead?””

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
informed adjective US /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmd/

having much knowledge or education

From this reading “Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
license noun US /ˈlaɪsəns/

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading “Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
servant noun US /ˈsɜːrvənt/

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading “Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
special adjective US /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading “Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Thomas noun US /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading “Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 46

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 Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
admittedverbUS /ədˈmɪtɪd/

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/

expected hopefully

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
blockheadnounUS /ˈblɑːkhed/

a stupid person; these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence

From this reading “How could I know him by that, you blockhead?”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading “How could I know him by that, you blockhead?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
don't

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

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

Pending verification
drawing-room

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

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Pending verification
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/

a man of refinement

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Gourlay

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

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Pending verification
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Who is he, M'Gregor?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
He's

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

From this reading “He's the gentleman, sir, you had hot words with.”

Pending verification
himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading “He's the gentleman, sir, you had hot words with.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
How

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

From this reading “How could I know him by that, you blockhead?”

Pending verification
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
informedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmd/

having much knowledge or education

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Who is he, M'Gregor?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
licensenounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
M'Gregor

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

From this reading “Who is he, M'Gregor?”

Pending verification
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
paidadjectiveUS /peɪd/

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RednounUS /red/

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora curated lexicon
servantnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənt/

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading “He's the gentleman, sir, you had hot words with.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I don't know, sir; he paid you a visit once at Red Hall, I think.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 38 of The Black Baronet by William Carleton holds 331 sentences, grouped into 67 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 38 of The Black Baronet contain?

Chapter 38 holds 331 sentences of The Black Baronet, unabridged, divided into 67 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 38 of The Black Baronet by William Carleton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 331 sentences, grouped into 67 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 38 of The Black Baronet?

Work through the 67 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 67 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 38 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 38 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 Black Baronet

Common questions about reading The Black Baronet by William Carleton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Black Baronet?

Yes. All 11019 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #16003 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Black Baronet is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #16003, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Black Baronet take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2204 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Black Baronet section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Black Baronet 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 Black Baronet

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

Observed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Baronet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Every
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Baronet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Season
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Baronet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Almighty
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Baronet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.