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The City of the Discreet
The City of the Discreet

Chapter XXVIII

Chapter 28 of The City of the Discreet is here in full — 209 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Pío Baroja • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The City of the Discreet
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.
“May I come in?”
“Come!”
Quentin opened the door and entered.
The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.
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 City of the Discreet

Chapter XXVIII

Chapter 28 of The City of the Discreet is here in full — 209 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.
Line 2
“May I come in?”
/meɪ aɪ kʌm ɪn/
Line 3
“Come!”
/kʌm/
Line 4
Quentin opened the door and entered.
Line 5
The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.
/ðə ruːm wɑːz lɑːrdʒ ˈwaɪtwɑːʃt wɪð ə ˈveri smɔːl ˈwɪndoʊ dɪˈvaɪdɪd ˈɪntuː fɔːr peɪnz ðə flɔːr peɪvd wɪð red brɪks ənd bluː ˈræftərz ɪn ðə ˈsiːlɪŋ/

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.

bandit noun US /ˈbændət/

an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band

From this reading “IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bricks noun US /brɪks/

plural of “brick” — rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading “The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ceiling noun US /ˈsiːlɪŋ/

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading “The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
panes noun US /peɪnz/

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading “The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
paved adjective US /peɪvd/

covered with a firm surface

From this reading “The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
professional adjective US /prəˈfeʃənəl/

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading “IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rafters noun US /ˈræftərz/

plural of “rafter” — one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof

From this reading “The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whitewashed adjective US /ˈwaɪtwɑːʃt/

coated with whitewash

From this reading “The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

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.

red bricks noun + noun counted as “red brick”

In this reading “The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.”

1,178 times in 426,211 chapters
few days adjective + noun

In this reading “IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.”

43,567 times in 426,211 chapters
knocked at verb + particle counted as “knock at”

In this reading “IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.”

12,461 times in 426,211 chapters

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 IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ACTIONnounUS /ˈækʃən/

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BANDITnounUS /ˈbændət/

an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bricksnounUS /brɪks/

plural of “brick” — rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “May I come in?”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
COUNTESSnounUS /ˈkaʊntəs/

female equivalent of a count or earl

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dividedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪd/

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Quentin opened the door and entered.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HAVEauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “May I come in?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
knockedverbUS /nɑːkt/

past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MANnounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “May I come in?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Quentin opened the door and entered.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
panesnounUS /peɪnz/

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pavedadjectiveUS /peɪvd/

covered with a firm surface

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PROFESSIONALadjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Quentin

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

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Pending verification
raftersnounUS /ˈræftərz/

plural of “rafter” — one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rednounUS /red/

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

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TALKverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

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 IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

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 room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading IN WHICH A COUNTESS, A PROFESSIONAL BANDIT, AND A MAN OF ACTION HAVE A TALK One afternoon a few days later, Quentin knocked at the Countess’ door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whitewashedadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪtwɑːʃt/

coated with whitewash

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The room was large, whitewashed, with a very small window divided into four panes, the floor paved with red bricks, and blue rafters in the ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 28 of The City of the Discreet by Pío Baroja holds 209 sentences, grouped into 42 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 City of the Discreet contain?

Chapter 28 holds 209 sentences of The City of the Discreet, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 28 of The City of the Discreet by Pío Baroja exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 209 sentences, grouped into 42 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 City of the Discreet?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 City of the Discreet

Common questions about reading The City of the Discreet by Pío Baroja on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The City of the Discreet?

Yes. All 6657 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #56324 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The City of the Discreet is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #56324, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The City of the Discreet take to read?

About 554 minutes of reading across 1332 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The City of the Discreet section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of The City of the Discreet 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 the Discreet

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

Translated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The City of the Discreet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Spanish
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The City of the Discreet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Jacob
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The City of the Discreet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fassett
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The City of the Discreet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.