Chapter 17 of The Cat's Paw is here in full — 254 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XVII
Chapter 17 of The Cat's Paw is here in full — 254 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
"K. B." Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval. "You have done well, Donovan," he exclaimed. "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?" "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
Chapter 17 of The Cat's Paw is here in full — 254 sentences across 51 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.
the formal act of approving
From this reading “Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.”
plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading “"Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.”
-ing form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading “"Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.”
a high ranking police officer
From this reading “Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.”
English film actress (1913-1967)
From this reading “"Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"”
English aeronautical engineer (1895-1937)
From this reading “Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.”
British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading “"Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.”
Scottish insurgent who led the resistance to Edward I; in 1297 he gained control of Scotland briefly until Edward invaded Scotland again and defeated Wallace and subsequently executed him (1270-1305)
From this reading “"Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"”
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.
take into consideration for exemplifying purposes
In this reading “Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.”
at or in the front
In this reading “Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.”
In this reading “"Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.”
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 "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
later than; following
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
the formal act of approving
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading "K. B."
plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
-ing form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading "You have done well, Donovan," he exclaimed.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You have done well, Donovan," he exclaimed.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "You have done well, Donovan," he exclaimed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You have done well, Donovan," he exclaimed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You have done well, Donovan," he exclaimed.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
a high ranking police officer
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
the basic unit of thermodynamic temperature adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading "K. B."
the act of departing
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
English film actress (1913-1967)
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
English aeronautical engineer (1895-1937)
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
according to the clock
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
a member of a police force
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
having a supporting base
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Mrs. Murray claims that it was about five o'clock or a little after," Donovan replied, consulting his notes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
Scottish insurgent who led the resistance to Edward I; in 1297 he gained control of Scotland briefly until Edward invaded Scotland again and defeated Wallace and subsequently executed him (1270-1305)
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
(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 "You have done well, Donovan," he exclaimed.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Exactly at what hour was Major Leigh Wallace seen leaving 'Rose Hill' on Sunday afternoon?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Inspector Mitchell looked at the policeman standing in front of his desk with approval.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have done well, Donovan," he exclaimed.
Chapter 17 of The Cat's Paw by Natalie Sumner Lincoln holds 254 sentences, grouped into 51 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 17 holds 254 sentences of The Cat's Paw, unabridged, divided into 51 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 17 of The Cat's Paw by Natalie Sumner Lincoln exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 254 sentences, grouped into 51 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 51 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 51 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 17 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 Cat's Paw by Natalie Sumner Lincoln on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 4825 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #66627 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #66627, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 402 minutes of reading across 965 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Cat's Paw section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 22 chapters of The Cat's Paw 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 Cat's Paw, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
