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The Cross of Berny
The Cross of Berny

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of The Cross of Berny is here in full — 374 sentences across 75 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/74 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.
Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.
I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.
Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.
While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Cross of Berny

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of The Cross of Berny is here in full — 374 sentences across 75 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/74 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.
/duː rɪˈliːv ˈaʊər æŋˈzaɪəti baɪ ækˈseptɪŋ ðə ˈtaɪtəl ʌv kəˈmiːdiən/
Line 2
Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.
/ækˈnɑːlɪdʒ jərˈself tuː biː æn ˈæktər ənd ˈaʊər ˈæŋkʃəs fɪrz ɑːr ˈkwaɪətɪd/
Line 3
I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.
/aɪ wʊd hæv maɪ maɪnd set æt rest əˈpɑːn wʌn mɔːr pɔɪnt/
Line 4
Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.
/ˈkɜːrədʒ ɪz əˈnʌðər ˈvɝː.tʃuː ðæt kæn biː əˈsuːmd baɪ ə ˈkaʊərd ənd ɪt wʊd əˈfɔːrd miː ɡreɪt ˈpleʒər tuː siː juː ækt ðə pɑːrt ʌv ə breɪv kəˈmiːdiən/
Line 5
While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.
/waɪl ˈweɪtɪŋ fɔːr jɔːr ˈænsər aɪ fiːl fɔːrst tuː ˌɪnˈsʌlt juː baɪ ˈθɪŋkɪŋ ðæt ðɪs læst ˈtælənt ɪz ˈwɑːntɪŋ ɪn jɔːr rɪtʃ ˈrepərtɔːri/

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.

accepting adjective US /ækˈseptɪŋ/

tolerating without protest

From this reading “Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.”

actor noun US /ˈæktər/

a theatrical performer

From this reading “Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.”

comedian noun US /kəˈmiːdiən/

a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts

From this reading “Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.”

coward noun US /ˈkaʊərd/

a person who shows fear or timidity

From this reading “Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.”

quieted verb US /ˈkwaɪətɪd/

past form of “quiet” — become quiet or quieter

From this reading “Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.”

relieve verb US /rɪˈliːv/

provide physical relief, as from pain

From this reading “Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.”

repertory noun US /ˈrepərtɔːri/

a storehouse where a stock of things is kept

From this reading “While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.”

talent noun US /ˈtælənt/

natural abilities or qualities

From this reading “While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

acceptingadjectiveUS /ækˈseptɪŋ/

tolerating without protest

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

AcknowledgeverbUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒ/

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

actverbUS /ækt/

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

actornounUS /ˈæktər/

a theatrical performer

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

affordverbUS /əˈfɔːrd/

be able to spare or give up

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

answerverbUS /ˈænsər/

react verbally

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

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 Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/

eagerly desirous

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

assumedadjectiveUS /əˈsuːmd/

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

braveadjectiveUS /breɪv/

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

comediannounUS /kəˈmiːdiən/

a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

CouragenounUS /ˈkɜːrədʒ/

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

cowardnounUS /ˈkaʊərd/

a person who shows fear or timidity

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

fearsnounUS /fɪrz/

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

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

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

forcedadjectiveUS /fɔːrst/

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

insultnounUS /ˌɪnˈsʌlt/

a rude expression intended to offend or hurt

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

quietedverbUS /ˈkwaɪətɪd/

past form of “quiet” — become quiet or quieter

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/

provide physical relief, as from pain

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

repertorynounUS /ˈrepərtɔːri/

a storehouse where a stock of things is kept

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

richadjectiveUS /rɪtʃ/

possessing material wealth

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/

natural abilities or qualities

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

titlenounUS /ˈtaɪtəl/

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading Do relieve our anxiety by accepting the title of comedian.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

wantingadjectiveUS /ˈwɑːntɪŋ/

nonexistent

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading I would have my mind set at rest upon one more point.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Courage is another virtue that can be assumed by a coward, and it would afford me great pleasure to see you act the part of a _brave_ comedian.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading While waiting for your answer I feel forced to insult you by thinking that this last talent is wanting in your rich repertory.

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading Acknowledge yourself to be an actor, and our anxious fears are quieted.

Chapter 11 of The Cross of Berny by Emile de, Mme Girardin holds 374 sentences, grouped into 75 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 11 of The Cross of Berny contain?

Chapter 11 holds 374 sentences of The Cross of Berny, unabridged, divided into 75 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of The Cross of Berny by Emile de, Mme Girardin exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 374 sentences, grouped into 75 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 11 of The Cross of Berny?

Work through the 75 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 75 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 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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 Cross of Berny

Common questions about reading The Cross of Berny by Emile de, Mme Girardin on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Cross of Berny?

Yes. All 4531 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #13191 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Cross of Berny is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #13191, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Cross of Berny take to read?

About 377 minutes of reading across 907 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Cross of Berny section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of The Cross of Berny 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 Cross of Berny

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

Preface
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Cross of Berny; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
American
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Cross of Berny; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Cross of Berny; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Literary
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Cross of Berny; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.