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The Country of the Pointed Firs
The Country of the Pointed Firs

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Country of the Pointed Firs is here in full — 157 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Country of the Pointed Firs
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.
But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.
Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.
I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.
I figured on shyin' by,” the captain apologized.
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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 Country of the Pointed Firs

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Country of the Pointed Firs is here in full — 157 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.
Line 2
But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.
Line 3
Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.
Line 4
I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.
Line 5
I figured on shyin' by,” the captain apologized.

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.

Worn verb US /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading ““Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.”

All words in this reading · 80

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.

a

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

after

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

aground

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

ain't

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

all

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

and

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

anyway

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

apologized

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

From this reading I figured on shyin' by,” the captain apologized.

as

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

away

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

be

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

beat

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

began

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

boat

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

boat-hook

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

bowsprit

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

bumps

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

But

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

by

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

From this reading I figured on shyin' by,” the captain apologized.

call

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

captain

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

could

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

despondently

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

drift

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

figured

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

From this reading I figured on shyin' by,” the captain apologized.

free

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

from

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

got

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

has

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

he

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

helped

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

her

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

hurt

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

I

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

I'm

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

if

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

in

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

Joanna's

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

little

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

mourned

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

never

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

none

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

on

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

one

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

or

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

out

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

p'int

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

paint's

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

presently

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

privilege

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

purpose

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

pushed

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

reach

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

renewed

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

round

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

sail

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

she'd

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

shore

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

shyin

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

From this reading I figured on shyin' by,” the captain apologized.

since

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

so

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

t

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

tetch

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

the

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

From this reading “I'm beat if I ain't aground after all!” mourned the captain despondently.

this

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

thought

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

time

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

to

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

two

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

us

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

Used

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

veered

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

was

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

weather

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

wharf

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

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

while

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

wind

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

with

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

From this reading But I could reach the bowsprit, and he pushed with the boat-hook, while the wind veered round a little as if on purpose and helped with the sail; so presently the boat was free and began to drift out from shore.

wornverbUS /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading “Used to call this p'int Joanna's wharf privilege, but 't has worn away in the weather since her time.

wouldn't

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

From this reading I thought one or two bumps wouldn't hurt us none,--paint's got to be renewed, anyway,--but I never thought she'd tetch.

Chapter 8 of The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett holds 157 sentences, grouped into 32 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 8 of The Country of the Pointed Firs contain?

Chapter 8 holds 157 sentences of The Country of the Pointed Firs, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 157 sentences, grouped into 32 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 8 of The Country of the Pointed Firs?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 Country of the Pointed Firs

Common questions about reading The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Country of the Pointed Firs?

Yes. All 1897 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #367 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Country of the Pointed Firs is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #367, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Country of the Pointed Firs take to read?

About 158 minutes of reading across 380 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Country of the Pointed Firs section by section

How to work through The Country of the Pointed Firs section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 12 chapters of The Country of the Pointed Firs 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 Country of the Pointed Firs

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Country of the Pointed Firs, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Sarah
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Country of the Pointed Firs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Jewett
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Country of the Pointed Firs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
South
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Country of the Pointed Firs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Berwick
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Country of the Pointed Firs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.