The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat is here in full — 139 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Grace Brooks Hill • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

It meant something, as the crash had.

"What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

Narrator

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Chapter II Reading 1/27

The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat is here in full — 139 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

Line 2

But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

Line 3

It meant something, as the crash had.

/ɪt ment ˈsʌmθɪŋ æz ðə kræʃ hæd/

Line 4

"What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

/wʌt wɑːz ɪt ˈmɜːrmərd ruːθ əˈɡen ənd ʃiː ˈferli ræn aʊt ˈɪntuː ðə hɔːl ˈfɑːloʊd baɪ hɜːr ˈsɪstər/

Line 5

Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

/ðen keɪm ə ˈsɪriz ʌv bʌmps æz ɪf ˈsʌmθɪŋ ʌv noʊ smɔːl saɪz wɑːz ˈroʊlɪŋ daʊn ðə pɔːrtʃ steps/

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.

bumps noun US /bʌmps/

plural of “bump” — a lump on the body caused by a blow

From this reading “Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.”

comings noun US /ˈkʌmɪŋz/

plural of “coming” — the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading “But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.”

crash verb US /kræʃ/

fall or come down violently

From this reading “NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.”

goings noun US /ˈɡoʊɪŋz/

plural of “going” — the act of departing

From this reading “But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.”

porch noun US /pɔːrtʃ/

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading “Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.”

portentous adjective US /pɔːrˈtentəs/

of momentous or ominous significance

From this reading “NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.”

rolling adjective US /ˈroʊlɪŋ/

uttered with a trill

From this reading “Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.”

serenity noun US /səˈren.ə.t̬i/

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.

From this reading “But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.”

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.

porch steps noun + noun

In this reading “Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.”

into the hall preposition + article + noun counted as “into … hall”

In this reading “"What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.”

followed by verb + particle counted as “follow by”

In this reading “"What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.”

small size adjective + noun

In this reading “Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.”

ran out verb + adjective counted as “run out”

become used up; be exhausted

In this reading “"What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.”

in the Corner preposition + article + noun counted as “in … corner”

In this reading “But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.”

All words in this reading · 61

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 Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

Agnes

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

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It meant something, as the crash had.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

bumpsnounUS /bʌmps/

plural of “bump” — a lump on the body caused by a blow

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

comingsnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋz/

plural of “coming” — the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

CornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

crashverbUS /kræʃ/

fall or come down violently

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

DeepadjectiveUS /diːp/

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

fairlyadverbUS /ˈferli/

to certain extent or degree

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

goingsnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋz/

plural of “going” — the act of departing

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

HousenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It meant something, as the crash had.

knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

meantverbUS /ment/

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading It meant something, as the crash had.

murmuredverbUS /ˈmɜːrmərd/

past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

NEALE

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

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

NEWSnounUS /nuːz/

information about recent and important events

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

portentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/

of momentous or ominous significance

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

rollingadjectiveUS /ˈroʊlɪŋ/

uttered with a trill

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

RuthnounUS /ruːθ/

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

serenitynounUS /səˈren.ə.t̬i/

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

sizenounUS /saɪz/

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It meant something, as the crash had.

stepsnounUS /steps/

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading NEALE HAS NEWS Deep, and perhaps portentous, silence had succeeded the crash.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then came a series of bumps, as if something of no small size was rolling down the porch steps.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But both Ruth and Agnes knew enough of the goings and comings in the Corner House not to take this silence for serenity.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What was it?" murmured Ruth again, and she fairly ran out into the hall, followed by her sister.

Chapter 2 of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat by Grace Brooks Hill holds 139 sentences, grouped into 28 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 2 of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat contain?

Chapter 2 holds 139 sentences of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat by Grace Brooks Hill exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 139 sentences, grouped into 28 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 2 of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat?

Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 28 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Corner House Girls on a Houseboat

Common questions about reading The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat by Grace Brooks Hill on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat?

Yes. All 3786 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #38609 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #38609, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat take to read?

About 315 minutes of reading across 758 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

What's: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
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Odors: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter II

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