The Girl in the Mirror

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Girl in the Mirror is here in full — 181 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Elizabeth Garver Jordan • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Girl in the Mirror

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

The bolt was old and rusty.

Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.

Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

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 X Reading 1/36

The Girl in the Mirror

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Girl in the Mirror is here in full — 181 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

Line 2

It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

Line 3

The bolt was old and rusty.

/ðə boʊlt wɑːz oʊld ənd ˈrʌsti/

Line 4

Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.

/ʃɔː ˈfʌmbəld wɪð ɪt fɔːr hæf ə ˈmɪnət bɪˈfɔːr ɪt ˈjiːldɪd/

Line 5

Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

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.

dingy adjective US /ˈdɪndʒi/

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading “It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.”

excursion noun US /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading “THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.”

fumbled verb US /ˈfʌmbəld/

past form of “fumble” — feel about uncertainly or blindly

From this reading “Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.”

grudgingly adverb US /ˈɡrʌdʒɪŋli/

in a grudging manner

From this reading “Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.”

lair noun US /ler/

the habitation of wild animals

From this reading “THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.”

rusty adjective US /ˈrʌsti/

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading “The bolt was old and rusty.”

shaw noun US /ʃɔː/

United States clarinetist and leader of a swing band (1910-2004)

From this reading “THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.”

storehouse noun US /ˈstɔːrhaʊs/

a depository for goods

From this reading “It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.”

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.

fifteen minutes noun + noun

In this reading “It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.”

tall building adjective + noun

In this reading “It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.”

in front preposition + noun

at or in the front

In this reading “It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.”

fumbled with verb + particle counted as “fumble with”

In this reading “Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.”

slipped back verb + particle counted as “slip back”

In this reading “Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.”

dark hall noun + noun

In this reading “Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.”

into a dark preposition + article + noun counted as “into … dark”

In this reading “Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.”

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

boltnounUS /boʊlt/

a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading The bolt was old and rusty.

briefadjectiveUS /briːf/

of short duration or distance

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/

slightly wet

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

darknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

fumbledverbUS /ˈfʌmbəld/

past form of “fumble” — feel about uncertainly or blindly

From this reading Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.

grudginglyadverbUS /ˈɡrʌdʒɪŋli/

in a grudging manner

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

guidenounUS /ɡaɪd/

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/

United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

LAIRnounUS /ler/

the habitation of wild animals

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

latch-key

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

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

Laurie

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

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.

minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The bolt was old and rusty.

out-of-dateadjective

old; no longer valid or fashionable

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

Ransome

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

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading The bolt was old and rusty.

SHAWnounUS /ʃɔː/

United States clarinetist and leader of a swing band (1910-2004)

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

slippedverbUS /slɪpt/

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

storehousenounUS /ˈstɔːrhaʊs/

a depository for goods

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then it grudgingly slipped back, and Laurie followed his guide into a dark hall, which was cold and damp.

thrustverbUS /θrʌst/

push forcefully

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

walknounUS /wɔːk/

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE LAIR OF SHAW The walk was not the brief excursion Herbert Ransome Shaw had promised.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was fifteen minutes before he stopped in front of a tall building, which looked like an out-of-date storehouse, and thrust a latch-key into a dingy door.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.

yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading Shaw fumbled with it for half a minute before it yielded.

Chapter 10 of The Girl in the Mirror by Elizabeth Garver Jordan holds 181 sentences, grouped into 37 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 10 of The Girl in the Mirror contain?

Chapter 10 holds 181 sentences of The Girl in the Mirror, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of The Girl in the Mirror by Elizabeth Garver Jordan exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 181 sentences, grouped into 37 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 10 of The Girl in the Mirror?

Work through the 37 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 37 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 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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 Girl in the Mirror

Common questions about reading The Girl in the Mirror by Elizabeth Garver Jordan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Girl in the Mirror?

Yes. All 4863 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #31471 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Girl in the Mirror is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #31471, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Girl in the Mirror take to read?

About 405 minutes of reading across 973 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Girl in the Mirror section by section

How to work through The Girl in the Mirror section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 19 chapters of The Girl in the Mirror 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 Girl in the Mirror

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Girl in the Mirror, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Little: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Girl in the Mirror; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Devondale: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Girl in the Mirror; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shaken: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Girl in the Mirror; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Night: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Girl in the Mirror; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter X · Chapter 10

What does chapter 10 of The Girl in the Mirror contain?

How do I study chapter 10 of The Girl in the Mirror?

Can chapter 10 be read aloud to me?

Questions about reading The Girl in the Mirror

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Open a chapter

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Vocabulary met early in The Girl in the Mirror