Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Boy Allies at Verdun
The Boy Allies at Verdun

Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

Chapter 28 of The Boy Allies at Verdun is here in full — 153 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Clair W. (Clair Wallace) Hayes • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Boy Allies at Verdun
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.
President Poincare shall hear of this."
The speaker was General Petain.
Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.
Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.
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 Boy Allies at Verdun

Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

Chapter 28 of The Boy Allies at Verdun is here in full — 153 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.
Line 2
President Poincare shall hear of this."
Line 3
The speaker was General Petain.
Line 4
Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.
Line 5
Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

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.

acting noun US /ˈæktɪŋ/

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading “Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Anthony noun US /ˈænθəni/

Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)

From this reading “Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Chester noun US /ˈtʃestər/

a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)

From this reading “Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sirs noun US /sɜːrrz/

plural of “sir” — term of address for a man

From this reading “THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
speaker noun US /ˈspiːkər/

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading “The speaker was General Petain.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
spokesman noun US /ˈspoʊksmən/

a male spokesperson

From this reading “Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Stubbs noun US /stʌbz/

English historian noted for his constitutional history of medieval England (1825-1901)

From this reading “Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
successfully adverb US /səkˈsesfəli/

with success; in a successful manner

From this reading “Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 49

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 Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
actingnounUS /ˈæktɪŋ/

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
adventuresnounUS /ædˈventʃərz/

plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AnthonynounUS /ˈænθəni/

Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)

From this reading Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ChesternounUS /ˈtʃestər/

a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)

From this reading Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
concludedadjectiveUS /kənˈkluːdəd/

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ENDnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/

an opposing military force

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
GeneraladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading The speaker was General Petain.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Hal

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

From this reading Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.

Pending verification
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading President Poincare shall hear of this."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MATIN

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

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

Pending verification
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Petain

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

From this reading The speaker was General Petain.

Pending verification
Poincare

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

From this reading President Poincare shall hear of this."

Pending verification
PresidentnounUS /ˈprezədent/

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading President Poincare shall hear of this."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
safelyadverbUS /ˈseɪfli/

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading President Poincare shall hear of this."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
sirsnounUS /sɜːrrz/

plural of “sir” — term of address for a man

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading The speaker was General Petain.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
spokesmannounUS /ˈspoʊksmən/

a male spokesperson

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.

Velmora curated lexicon
StubbsnounUS /stʌbz/

English historian noted for his constitutional history of medieval England (1825-1901)

From this reading Before him stood Hal, Chester and Anthony Stubbs.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
successfullyadverbUS /səkˈsesfəli/

with success; in a successful manner

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading President Poincare shall hear of this."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
venturenounUS /ˈventʃər/

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

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 The speaker was General Petain.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Hal, acting as spokesman, had just concluded an account of their adventures within the enemy lines, a venture from which they had returned successfully and safely only an hour before.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading THE END OF MATIN "You have done well, sirs.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 28 of The Boy Allies at Verdun by Clair W. (Clair Wallace) Hayes holds 153 sentences, grouped into 31 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 28 of The Boy Allies at Verdun contain?

Chapter 28 holds 153 sentences of The Boy Allies at Verdun, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 28 of The Boy Allies at Verdun by Clair W. (Clair Wallace) Hayes exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 153 sentences, grouped into 31 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 28 of The Boy Allies at Verdun?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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 28 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 28 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 Boy Allies at Verdun

Common questions about reading The Boy Allies at Verdun by Clair W. (Clair Wallace) Hayes on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Boy Allies at Verdun?

Yes. All 4091 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #13020 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Boy Allies at Verdun is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #13020, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Boy Allies at Verdun take to read?

About 340 minutes of reading across 819 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Boy Allies at Verdun section by section

How to work through The Boy Allies at Verdun section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 29 chapters of The Boy Allies at Verdun 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 Boy Allies at Verdun

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Boy Allies at Verdun, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Rightly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Allies at Verdun; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fortress
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Allies at Verdun; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Verdun
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Allies at Verdun; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Called
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Allies at Verdun; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.