VELMORA ACADEMY

Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies

Menu Close

The Errand Boy

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Errand Boy is here in full — 98 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Horatio, Jr. Alger • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Errand Boy

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

A STRANGE REVELATION.

Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

Narrator

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.

Chapter II Reading 1/19

The Errand Boy

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Errand Boy is here in full — 98 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

A STRANGE REVELATION.

Line 2

Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

Line 3

It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

Line 4

He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

Line 5

Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

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.

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.”

All words in this reading · 70

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

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

From this reading A STRANGE REVELATION.

amazed

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

From this reading He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

and

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

as

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

astonishment

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

at

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

From this reading He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

being

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

bolt

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

Brent

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

by

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

certain

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

crumbling

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

declaration

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

From this reading He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

earth

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

existence

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

feet

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

fell

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

felt

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

for

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

forgetting

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

from

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

Gerald

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

had

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

he

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

him

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

his

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

if

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

in

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

irrepressible

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

It

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

Jonas

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

large

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

lips

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

moment

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

more

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

mother

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

mouth

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

no

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

not

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

From this reading He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

of

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

on

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

only

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

From this reading He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

part

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

person

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

From this reading He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

Philip

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

playing

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

REVELATION

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

From this reading A STRANGE REVELATION.

sat

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

seemed

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

sofa

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

son

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

staring

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

started

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

step-mother

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

STRANGE

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

From this reading A STRANGE REVELATION.

than

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

the

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

these

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

this

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

From this reading He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

to

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

turns

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

universe

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

upright

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

was

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

From this reading He was not the only person amazed at this declaration.

were

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

From this reading It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt no more certain of the existence of the universe than of his being the son of Gerald Brent.

wide

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

with

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

From this reading Jonas, forgetting for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, with his large mouth wide open, staring by turns at Philip and his mother.

words

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

From this reading Philip started in irrepressible astonishment as these words fell from the lips of his step-mother.

Chapter 2 of The Errand Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger holds 98 sentences, grouped into 20 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of The Errand Boy contain?

Chapter 2 holds 98 sentences of The Errand Boy, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Errand Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 98 sentences, grouped into 20 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of The Errand Boy?

Work through the 20 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 20 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Errand Boy

Common questions about reading The Errand Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Errand Boy?

Yes. All 4318 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #462 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Errand Boy is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #462, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Errand Boy take to read?

About 359 minutes of reading across 864 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Errand Boy section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 39 chapters of The Errand Boy to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Errand Boy

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

Little: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Errand Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Difficulty: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Errand Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Brent: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Errand Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Plodding: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Errand Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.