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The Desert Valley
The Desert Valley

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of The Desert Valley is here in full — 233 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Desert Valley
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.
Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.
Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!
Shouldn't he, Mr. Carr?
Sanchia was here!'
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Desert Valley

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of The Desert Valley is here in full — 233 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.
/ðə ˈɡoʊldən ˈsiː.krət ɡʊd ˈmɔːrnɪŋ ˈmɪstər ˈhaʊərd kraɪd ˈhelən ˈɡeɪli/
Line 2
Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.
Line 3
Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!
/ðen æz ʃiː ɡeɪv hɪm hɜːr hænd ˌɪnˈspaɪərd baɪ ðə ɪmp ʌv ðə ˈmoʊmənt ʃiː ræn ɑːn juː ʃʊd hæv bɪn hiːr læst naɪt/
Line 4
Shouldn't he, Mr. Carr?
Line 5
Sanchia was here!'

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.

flood noun US /flʌd/

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading “Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.”

flushed adjective US /flʌʃt/

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading “Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.”

gaily adverb US /ˈɡeɪli/

in a gay manner

From this reading “The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.”

Howard noun US /ˈhaʊərd/

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading “The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.”

imp noun US /ɪmp/

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

From this reading “Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!”

inspired adjective US /ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/

being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods

From this reading “Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!”

rosy adjective US /ˈroʊzi/

reflecting optimism

From this reading “Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.”

stirred adjective US /stɜːrd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading “Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.”

All words in this reading · 57

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.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

Carr

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

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

cheeksnounUS /tʃiːks/

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

criedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

dawnnounUS /dɔːn/

the first light of day

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

floodnounUS /flʌd/

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

flushedadjectiveUS /flʌʃt/

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/

in a gay manner

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

GoldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

GoodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

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

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Shouldn't he, Mr. Carr?

HelennounUS /ˈhelən/

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

HowardnounUS /ˈhaʊərd/

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

impnounUS /ɪmp/

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

inspiredadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/

being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/

with speed

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

ranverbUS /ræn/

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

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/

reflecting optimism

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

rushverbUS /rʌʃ/

move hurridly

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

Sanchia

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

From this reading Sanchia was here!'

sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

SecretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

Shouldn't

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

From this reading Shouldn't he, Mr. Carr?

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

stirredadjectiveUS /stɜːrd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Golden Secret 'Good morning, Mr. Howard!' cried Helen gaily.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Sanchia was here!'

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her cheeks were still rosy, flushed, thought Howard quickly, less with the flood of the dawn than with some sudden rush of blood stirred by something that Carr had been saying.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Then as she gave him her hand, inspired by the imp of the moment, she ran on: 'You should have been here last night!

Chapter 15 of The Desert Valley by Jackson Gregory holds 233 sentences, grouped into 47 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 15 of The Desert Valley contain?

Chapter 15 holds 233 sentences of The Desert Valley, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of The Desert Valley by Jackson Gregory exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 233 sentences, grouped into 47 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 15 of The Desert Valley?

Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 47 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 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 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 Desert Valley

Common questions about reading The Desert Valley by Jackson Gregory on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Desert Valley?

Yes. All 5490 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #15502 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Desert Valley is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #15502, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Desert Valley take to read?

About 457 minutes of reading across 1098 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Desert Valley section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of The Desert Valley 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 Desert Valley

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

Pack-horse
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Desert Valley; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Crested
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Desert Valley; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Low-lying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Desert Valley; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sand-ridge
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Desert Valley; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.