The Fighting Scrub

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of The Fighting Scrub is here in full — 192 sentences across 39 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Ralph Henry Barbour • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Fighting Scrub

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

Clif’s disappointment was not lasting.

In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XIII Reading 1/38

The Fighting Scrub Ralph Henry Barbour

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of The Fighting Scrub is here in full — 192 sentences across 39 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

THE CONSULTING COACH Clif’s father was to have visited him Sunday, but the morning brought a telegram stating that a sudden journey to Boston necessitated a postponement of the Freeburg trip to the following Sunday. Clif’s disappointment was not lasting. In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk. That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter. Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

The Fighting Scrub

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of The Fighting Scrub is here in full — 192 sentences across 39 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

Line 2

Clif’s disappointment was not lasting.

Line 3

In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

Line 4

That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

Line 5

Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

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.

browsing noun US /ˈbraʊzɪŋ/

reading superficially or at random

From this reading “Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.”

consulting verb US /kənˈsʌltɪŋ/

-ing form of “consult” — get or ask advice from

From this reading “THE CONSULTING COACH Clif’s father was to have visited him Sunday, but the morning brought a telegram stating that a sudden journey to Boston necessitated a postponement of the Freeburg trip to the following Sunday.”

lasting adjective US /ˈlæstɪŋ/

continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

From this reading “Clif’s disappointment was not lasting.”

mended verb US /ˈmendɪd/

past form of “mend” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading “That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.”

necessitated verb US /nəˈsesəteɪtəd/

past form of “necessitate” — require as useful, just, or proper

postponement noun US /poʊstˈpoʊnmənt/

time during which some action is awaited

stating verb US /ˈsteɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “state” — express in words

Wattles noun US /ˈwɑːtəlz/

plural of “wattle” — a fleshy wrinkled and often brightly colored fold of skin hanging from the neck or throat of certain birds (chickens and turkeys) or lizards

From this reading “Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.”

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.

two hours noun + noun

In this reading “Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.”

In the afternoon preposition + article + noun counted as “in … afternoon”

In this reading “In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.”

two boys noun + noun counted as “two boy”

In this reading “Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.”

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 THE CONSULTING COACH Clif’s father was to have visited him Sunday, but the morning brought a telegram stating that a sudden journey to Boston necessitated a postponement of the Freeburg trip to the following Sunday.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

BostonnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

boysnounUS /bɔɪz/

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

browsingnounUS /ˈbraʊzɪŋ/

reading superficially or at random

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

carpenternounUS /ˈkɑːrpəntər/

a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

chairnounUS /tʃer/

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

chargeverbUS /tʃɑːrdʒ/

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

Clif's

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

COACHverbUS /koʊtʃ/

teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports

CONSULTINGverbUS /kənˈsʌltɪŋ/

-ing form of “consult” — get or ask advice from

delightedadjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtəd/

greatly pleased

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

disappointmentnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading Clif’s disappointment was not lasting.

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

Freeburg

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

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

intrusting

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

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

lastingadjectiveUS /ˈlæstɪŋ/

continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

From this reading Clif’s disappointment was not lasting.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/

a room where books are kept

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

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 That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

Loring

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

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

Loring's

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

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

mendedverbUS /ˈmendɪd/

past form of “mend” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

necessitatedverbUS /nəˈsesəteɪtəd/

past form of “necessitate” — require as useful, just, or proper

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Clif’s disappointment was not lasting.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

postponementnounUS /poʊstˈpoʊnmənt/

time during which some action is awaited

prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/

the possibility of future success

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

schoolnounUS /skuːl/

an educational institution

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

statingverbUS /ˈsteɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “state” — express in words

suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/

happening without warning or in a short space of time

SundaynounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/

a message transmitted by telegraph

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

tripnounUS /trɪp/

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

turnsnounUS /tɜːrnz/

plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/

lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

visitedverbUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪd/

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

walknounUS /wɔːk/

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading That is, he and Tom walked and took turns pushing Loring’s chair, long since mended by the local carpenter.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

WattlesnounUS /ˈwɑːtəlz/

plural of “wattle” — a fleshy wrinkled and often brightly colored fold of skin hanging from the neck or throat of certain birds (chickens and turkeys) or lizards

From this reading Wattles was left behind, delighted by the prospect of two hours of browsing in the school library but uneasy at intrusting his charge to the two boys.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading In the afternoon he and Tom and Loring went for a walk.

Chapter 13 of The Fighting Scrub by Ralph Henry Barbour holds 192 sentences, grouped into 39 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 13 of The Fighting Scrub contain?

Chapter 13 holds 192 sentences of The Fighting Scrub, unabridged, divided into 39 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of The Fighting Scrub by Ralph Henry Barbour exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 192 sentences, grouped into 39 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 13 of The Fighting Scrub?

Work through the 39 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 39 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 13 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 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 Fighting Scrub

Common questions about reading The Fighting Scrub by Ralph Henry Barbour on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Fighting Scrub?

Yes. All 4605 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #73435 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Fighting Scrub is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #73435, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Fighting Scrub take to read?

About 383 minutes of reading across 921 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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

Open a chapter

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

Vocabulary met early in The Fighting Scrub

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

Erskine: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fighting Scrub; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fighting Scrub; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Grafton: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fighting Scrub; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rivals: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fighting Scrub; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XIII

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Vocabulary met early in The Fighting Scrub