Chapter 30 of The first violin: A novel is here in full — 254 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XXX
Chapter 30 of The first violin: A novel is here in full — 254 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
"Didst thou, or didst thou not? Just tell me, friend! Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.' * * * * * Why! How!
Chapter 30 of The first violin: A novel is here in full — 254 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading “Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'”
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading “Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'”
an old form of “did”, used with “thou”
From this reading “"Didst thou, or didst thou not?”
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading “Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'”
thoroughgoing
From this reading “Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'”
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading “Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'”
the necessary means (especially financial means)
From this reading “Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'”
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading “Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
an old form of “did”, used with “thou”
From this reading "Didst thou, or didst thou not?
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
thoroughgoing
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Just tell me, friend!
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
and nothing more
From this reading Just tell me, friend!
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Just tell me, friend!
a particular point in time
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
not any; not one
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Didst thou, or didst thou not?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Didst thou, or didst thou not?
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
express in words
From this reading Just tell me, friend!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading "Didst thou, or didst thou not?
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
at the time that
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
the necessary means (especially financial means)
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading * * * * * Why!
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Not that _my_ conscience may be satisfied, _I_ never for a moment doubted thee-- But that I may have wherewithal in hand To turn against them when they point at thee: A whip to flog them with--a rock to crush-- Thy word--thy simple downright 'No, I did not.'
Chapter 30 of The first violin: A novel by Jessie Fothergill holds 254 sentences, grouped into 51 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.
Chapter 30 holds 254 sentences of The first violin: A novel, unabridged, divided into 51 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 30 of The first violin: A novel by Jessie Fothergill exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 254 sentences, grouped into 51 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.
Work through the 51 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 51 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 30 can be played aloud in United States English.
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About 600 minutes of reading across 1806 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
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Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The first violin: A novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
