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The City of Fire
The City of Fire

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The City of Fire is here in full — 419 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The City of Fire
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”
Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, You can love any one you want to for a little while.
Love doesn't last.
It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.
But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.
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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 City of Fire

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The City of Fire is here in full — 419 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”
Line 2
Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.
/oʊ lʌv sed ˈoʊpəl kənˈtemptʃwəsli juː kæn lʌv ˈeni wʌn juː wɑːnt tuː fɔːr ə ˈlɪtəl waɪl/
Line 3
Love doesn't last.
Line 4
It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.
Line 5
But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

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.

contemptuously adverb US /kənˈtemptʃwəsli/

without respect; in a disdainful manner

From this reading ““Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.”

decidedly adverb US /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading ““I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!””

icicle noun US /ˈaɪsɪkəl/

ice resembling a pendent spear, formed by the freezing of dripping water

From this reading “But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.”

lawn noun US /lɔːn/

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading “But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.”

Opal noun US /ˈoʊpəl/

a translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color; some varieties are used as gemstones

From this reading ““Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.”

pin verb US /pɪn/

to hold fast or prevent from moving

From this reading “But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.”

princely adjective US /ˈprɪnsli/

ostentatiously rich and superior in quality

From this reading “But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.”

tired adjective US /ˈtaɪərd/

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading “It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.”

All words in this reading · 60

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 “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

contemptuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtemptʃwəsli/

without respect; in a disdainful manner

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.

decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

doesn't

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

From this reading Love doesn't last.

don't

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

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

iciclenounUS /ˈaɪsɪkəl/

ice resembling a pendent spear, formed by the freezing of dripping water

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

It's

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

From this reading It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Love doesn't last.

lawnnounUS /lɔːn/

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

Lynn

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

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

marryverbUS /ˈmeri/

take in marriage

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

OpalnounUS /ˈoʊpəl/

a translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color; some varieties are used as gemstones

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

pinverbUS /pɪn/

to hold fast or prevent from moving

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.

princelyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪnsli/

ostentatiously rich and superior in quality

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

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

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.

terribleadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

that's

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

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading It's just a play you soon get tired to death of.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

trustnounUS /trʌst/

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!”

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to for a little while.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn.

Chapter 9 of The City of Fire by Grace Livingston Hill holds 419 sentences, grouped into 84 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 City of Fire contain?

Chapter 9 holds 419 sentences of The City of Fire, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of The City of Fire by Grace Livingston Hill exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 419 sentences, grouped into 84 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 City of Fire?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 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 City of Fire

Common questions about reading The City of Fire by Grace Livingston Hill on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The City of Fire?

Yes. All 6645 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #7008 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The City of Fire is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #7008, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The City of Fire take to read?

About 553 minutes of reading across 1329 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The City of Fire section by section

How to work through The City of Fire section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 16 chapters of The City of Fire 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 City of Fire

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

Renumbered
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The City of Fire; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chapters
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The City of Fire; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beginning
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The City of Fire; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chapter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The City of Fire; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.