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The Crooked Stick
The Crooked Stick

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of The Crooked Stick is here in full — 329 sentences across 66 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Crooked Stick
Context Illustration Reading 1/65 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.
Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.
Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.
So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.
He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Crooked Stick

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of The Crooked Stick is here in full — 329 sentences across 66 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/65 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.
/ˈæftər ðɪs stuːˈpendəs ˈɪnsədənt hæd ˈrʌfəld ðə ˈwɔːtərz ʌv prəˈvɪnʃəl riˈpoʊz ə lɔːŋ ənˈtrʌbəld kɑːm səkˈsiːdɪd/
Line 2
Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.
Line 3
Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.
Line 4
So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.
Line 5
He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

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.

chronicle noun US /ˈkrɑː.nɪ.kəl/

A detailed written record of historical events in order. (Sử ký, biên niên sử lịch sử.)

From this reading “Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.”

ostentatiously adverb US /ˌɑːstənˈteɪʃəsli/

with ostentation; in an ostentatious manner

From this reading “So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.”

renewing adjective US /rɪˈnuːɪŋ/

tending to impart new life and vigor to

From this reading “Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.”

ruffled adjective US /ˈrʌfəld/

shaken into waves or undulations as by wind

From this reading “After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.”

specified adjective US /ˈspesəfaɪd/

clearly and explicitly stated

From this reading “Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.”

stocked adjective US /stɑːkt/

furnished with more than enough

From this reading “Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.”

stupendous adjective US /stuːˈpendəs/

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading “After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.”

untroubled adjective US /ənˈtrʌbəld/

not beset by troubles or disturbance or distress

From this reading “After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.”

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.

favourable opportunity adjective + noun

In this reading “Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.”

new arrival adjective + noun

In this reading “Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.”

run home verb + noun

In this reading “Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.”

for a year preposition + article + noun counted as “for … year”

In this reading “Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.”

All words in this reading · 120

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 After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

adviseverbUS /ædˈvaɪz/

give advice to

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

anxietynounUS /æŋˈzaɪəti/

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

articlenounUS /ˈɑːrtəkəl/

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

billsnounUS /bɪlz/

plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

boughtverbUS /bɑːt/

inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

calmverbUS /kɑːm/

make calm or still

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

carryverbUS /ˈkæri/

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

Charteris

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

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

chroniclenounUS /ˈkrɑː.nɪ.kəl/

A detailed written record of historical events in order. (Sử ký, biên niên sử lịch sử.)

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/

carefully weighed

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/

an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

dueadjectiveUS /duː/

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/

communicated in words

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

far-outadjective

(informal) strikingly unconventional

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

favourableadjective

encouraging or approving or pleasing

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

generallyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəli/

usually; as a rule

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

incidentnounUS /ˈɪnsədənt/

a single distinct event

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/

harmed

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

JacknounUS /dʒæk/

a small worthless amount

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

last-named

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

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

latelyadverbUS /ˈleɪtli/

in the recent past

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

LittleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

long-datedadjective

of a gilt-edged security; having more than 15 years to run before redemption

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

mail-steamer

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

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

movementsnounUS /ˈmuːvmənts/

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

newsnounUS /nuːz/

information about recent and important events

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

opportunitynounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

ostentatiouslyadverbUS /ˌɑːstənˈteɪʃəsli/

with ostentation; in an ostentatious manner

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

petto

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

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

plansnounUS /plænz/

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

provincialadjectiveUS /prəˈvɪnʃəl/

of or associated with a province

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

Queenslander

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

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

reasonsnounUS /ˈriːzənz/

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

renewingadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːɪŋ/

tending to impart new life and vigor to

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

ruffledadjectiveUS /ˈrʌfəld/

shaken into waves or undulations as by wind

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

runverbUS /rʌn/

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

runsnounUS /rʌnz/

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

sheepnounUS /ʃiːp/

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

soldadjectiveUS /soʊld/

disposed of to a purchaser

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

specifiedadjectiveUS /ˈspesəfaɪd/

clearly and explicitly stated

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

stocknounUS /stɑːk/

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

stockedadjectiveUS /stɑːkt/

furnished with more than enough

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

stupendousadjectiveUS /stuːˈpendəs/

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/

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

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He had, however, two plans _in petto_, of which he did not advise society generally.

untroubledadjectiveUS /ənˈtrʌbəld/

not beset by troubles or disturbance or distress

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading After this stupendous incident had ruffled the waters of provincial repose, a long untroubled calm succeeded.

weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/

a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/

widely or fully known

From this reading So he ostentatiously took his passage by a well-known mail-steamer, and made all ready to start in a couple of months.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Little was heard in the article of news except the weekly chronicle of stock movements: who had sold, who had bought, who, having stocked up--that is, filled his run with all the sheep it would carry, and more--had sold to a new arrival, and gone to England 'for good,' or at least till the long-dated station bills became due.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Among this last-named division was Mr. Jack Charteris, who, having sold one of his far-out runs to a Queenslander, considered this to be a favourable opportunity to take 'a run home,' as he expressed it, for a year, for various specified reasons which he displayed before his friends, such as seeing the world and renewing his constitution, lately injured by hard work and anxiety.

Chapter 6 of The Crooked Stick by Rolf Boldrewood holds 329 sentences, grouped into 66 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 6 of The Crooked Stick contain?

Chapter 6 holds 329 sentences of The Crooked Stick, unabridged, divided into 66 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of The Crooked Stick by Rolf Boldrewood exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 329 sentences, grouped into 66 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 6 of The Crooked Stick?

Work through the 66 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 66 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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 Crooked Stick

Common questions about reading The Crooked Stick by Rolf Boldrewood on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Crooked Stick?

Yes. All 3352 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #35165 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Crooked Stick is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #35165, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Crooked Stick take to read?

About 279 minutes of reading across 671 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Crooked Stick section by section

How to work through The Crooked Stick section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 12 chapters of The Crooked Stick 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 Crooked Stick

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Crooked Stick, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Crooked Stick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Robbery
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Crooked Stick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Under
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Crooked Stick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Miner's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Crooked Stick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.