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The Happy Family
The Happy Family

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Happy Family is here in full — 417 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Happy Family
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"I thank you for the so gracious assurement.
If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.
I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.
Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."
"Chuck," grinned Happy Jack, "is grub."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Happy Family

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Happy Family is here in full — 417 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"I thank you for the so gracious assurement.
Line 2
If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.
/ɪf aɪ trænzˈɡres nɑːt tuː ˈɡreɪtli aɪ ʃʊd laɪk fɔːr ˌɪnˈkwaɪr wʌt ɪz ðə tʃʌk fɔːr wɪtʃ aɪ æm toʊld tuː fɪl ðə ˈwæɡən/
Line 3
I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.
Line 4
Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."
/wɜːrdz aɪ hæv nɑːt jet əˈsɪməleɪtɪd kəmˈpliːtli ənd ðə wɜːrd tʃʌk hæv jet ɪˈskeɪp maɪ ˈnɑːlədʒ/
Line 5
"Chuck," grinned Happy Jack, "is grub."
/tʃʌk ɡrɪnd ˈhæpi dʒæk ɪz ɡrʌb/

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.

assimilated verb US /əˈsɪməleɪtɪd/

past form of “assimilate” — take up mentally

From this reading “Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."”

chuck verb US /tʃʌk/

throw carelessly

From this reading “If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.”

diligently adverb US /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/

with diligence; in a diligent manner

From this reading “I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.”

grinned verb US /ɡrɪnd/

inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl

From this reading “"Chuck," grinned Happy Jack, "is grub."”

grub noun US /ɡrʌb/

informal terms for a meal

From this reading “"Chuck," grinned Happy Jack, "is grub."”

humbly adverb US /ˈhʌmbli/

in a humble manner

From this reading “I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.”

inquire verb US /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/

address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading “If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.”

transgress verb US /trænzˈɡres/

act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

From this reading “If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.”

All words in this reading · 54

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.

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."

assimilatedverbUS /əˈsɪməleɪtɪd/

past form of “assimilate” — take up mentally

From this reading Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."

assurement

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

From this reading "I thank you for the so gracious assurement.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

chuckverbUS /tʃʌk/

throw carelessly

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

completelyadverbUS /kəmˈpliːtli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

diligentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/

with diligence; in a diligent manner

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/

the act of escaping physically

From this reading Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."

fich

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

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

fillverbUS /fɪl/

make full, also in a metaphorical sense

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I thank you for the so gracious assurement.

gloriousadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɔːriəs/

having or deserving or conferring glory

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

graciousadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪʃəs/

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

From this reading "I thank you for the so gracious assurement.

greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/

inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl

From this reading "Chuck," grinned Happy Jack, "is grub."

grubnounUS /ɡrʌb/

informal terms for a meal

From this reading "Chuck," grinned Happy Jack, "is grub."

HappyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading "Chuck," grinned Happy Jack, "is grub."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

humblyadverbUS /ˈhʌmbli/

in a humble manner

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I thank you for the so gracious assurement.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/

address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

JacknounUS /dʒæk/

a small worthless amount

From this reading "Chuck," grinned Happy Jack, "is grub."

knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."

languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I thank you for the so gracious assurement.

studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

thankverbUS /θæŋk/

express gratitude or show appreciation to

From this reading "I thank you for the so gracious assurement.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "I thank you for the so gracious assurement.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

transgressverbUS /trænzˈɡres/

act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

wagonnounUS /ˈwæɡən/

any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading If I transgress not too greatly, I should like for inquire what is the chuck for which I am told to fill the wagon.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."

WordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading Words I have not yet assimilated completely, and the word chuck have yet escape my knowledge."

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I thank you for the so gracious assurement.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I do not," he added humbly, "understand yet all the language of your so glorious country, for fich I have so diligently study the books.

Chapter 8 of The Happy Family by B. M. Bower holds 417 sentences, grouped into 84 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 8 of The Happy Family contain?

Chapter 8 holds 417 sentences of The Happy Family, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of The Happy Family by B. M. Bower exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 417 sentences, grouped into 84 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 8 of The Happy Family?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 Happy Family

Common questions about reading The Happy Family by B. M. Bower on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Happy Family?

Yes. All 3519 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #13670 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Happy Family is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #13670, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Happy Family take to read?

About 293 minutes of reading across 704 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Happy Family section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 8 chapters of The Happy Family to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in The Happy Family

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

Flying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Happy Family; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Range
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Happy Family; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dwellers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Happy Family; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Prairie
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Happy Family; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.