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The Errand Boy

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Errand Boy is here in full — 124 sentences across 25 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

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

“You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

“Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

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 XXVI Reading 1/24

The Errand Boy

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Errand Boy is here in full — 124 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

Line 2

While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

Line 3

Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

Line 4

“You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

Line 5

“Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

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.

a

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

Alonzo

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

AN

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

and

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

assured

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

From this reading “You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

blissful

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

boy

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

From this reading “You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

Boys

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

Brent

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

Broadway

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

can't

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

changes

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

cousin

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

don't

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

easily

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

employer

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

encounter

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

especially

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

from

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

gave

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

get

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

give

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

going

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

had

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

her

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

hero

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

him

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

his

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

ignorance

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

important

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

in

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

intelligence

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

last

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

lives

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

Lonny

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

From this reading “You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

lying

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

From this reading “You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

may

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

From this reading “You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

Mrs

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

occurring

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

of

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

on

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

our

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

Phil

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

Philip

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

Pitkin

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

place

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

places

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

poor

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

recommendation

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

remained

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

rest

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

From this reading “You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

said

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

From this reading “You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

securing

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

so

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

SURPRISE

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

the

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

their

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

these

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

they

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

told

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

UNPLEASANT

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

was

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

were

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

what

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

when

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

From this reading “Boys don't get places so easily, especially when they can't give a recommendation from their last employer.

While

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

From this reading While these important changes were occurring in the lives of Philip Brent and the poor cousin, Mrs. Pitkin remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.

with

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

From this reading Alonzo had told her of his encounter with Phil on Broadway and the intelligence our hero gave him of his securing a place.

You

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

From this reading “You may rest assured the boy was lying, Lonny,” said Mrs. Pitkin.

Chapter 26 of The Errand Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger holds 124 sentences, grouped into 25 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 26 of The Errand Boy contain?

Chapter 26 holds 124 sentences of The Errand Boy, unabridged, divided into 25 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 26 of The Errand Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 124 sentences, grouped into 25 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 26 of The Errand Boy?

Work through the 25 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 25 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 26 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 26 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.