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The Heart of the Hills
The Heart of the Hills

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Heart of the Hills is here in full — 429 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Heart of the Hills
Context Illustration Reading 57/85 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.
As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:
"I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.
I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.
I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.
0:00 / 0:00
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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 Heart of the Hills

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Heart of the Hills is here in full — 429 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 57/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 281–285

Line 1
It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.
/ɪt wɑːz ˈbedtaɪm naʊ ənd ˈlɪtəl ˈdʒeɪsən roʊz ənd went wɪˈðɪn/
Line 2
As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:
/æz hiː klaɪmd ðə steps ˈliːdɪŋ tuː hɪz lɔːft hiː spoʊk æt læst ˈnɑːdɪŋ hɪz hed təˈwɔːrd ðə ˈkæbən ˈoʊvər ðə spɜːr/
Line 3
"I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.
Line 4
I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.
Line 5
I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.

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.

bedtime noun US /ˈbedtaɪm/

the time you go to bed

From this reading “It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.”

bout noun US /baʊt/

(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

From this reading “I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.”

climbed verb US /klaɪmd/

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading “As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:”

Jason noun US /ˈdʒeɪsən/

(Greek mythology) the husband of Medea and leader of the Argonauts who sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece

From this reading “It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.”

loft noun US /lɔːft/

floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space

From this reading “As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:”

nodding adjective US /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/

having branches or flower heads that bend downward

From this reading “As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:”

reckon verb US /ˈrekən/

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading “"I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.”

spur noun US /spɜːr/

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading “As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:”

All words in this reading · 58

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.

aimin

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

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

askverbUS /æsk/

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

bedtimenounUS /ˈbedtaɪm/

the time you go to bed

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

boutnounUS /baʊt/

(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

From this reading I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

cabinnounUS /ˈkæbən/

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

can't

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

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

doin

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

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

else

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

From this reading I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

furhermore

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

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

JasonnounUS /ˈdʒeɪsən/

(Greek mythology) the husband of Medea and leader of the Argonauts who sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

knowsnounUS /noʊz/

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.

landnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

lettin

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

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

loftnounUS /lɔːft/

floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.

noddingadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/

having branches or flower heads that bend downward

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

reckonverbUS /ˈrekən/

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

sellverbUS /sel/

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

somet'n

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

From this reading I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.

spokenounUS /spoʊk/

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

spurnounUS /spɜːr/

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

stepsnounUS /steps/

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I know somet'n' 'bout it that nobody else knows.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading As he climbed the steps leading to his loft, he spoke at last, nodding his head toward the cabin over the spur:

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

wentverbUS /went/

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

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

whut

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

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading It was bedtime now, and little Jason rose and went within.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I reckon I know whut you two are up to, and, furhermore, you are aimin' to sell this land.

Chapter 1 of The Heart of the Hills by John, Jr. Fox holds 429 sentences, grouped into 86 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 1 of The Heart of the Hills contain?

Chapter 1 holds 429 sentences of The Heart of the Hills, unabridged, divided into 86 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Heart of the Hills by John, Jr. Fox exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 429 sentences, grouped into 86 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 1 of The Heart of the Hills?

Work through the 86 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 86 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Heart of the Hills

Common questions about reading The Heart of the Hills by John, Jr. Fox on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Heart of the Hills?

Yes. All 3941 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5145 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Heart of the Hills is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5145, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Heart of the Hills take to read?

About 328 minutes of reading across 789 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Heart of the Hills section by section

How to work through The Heart of the Hills section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  2. Read one section

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  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in The Heart of the Hills

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Heart of the Hills, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Heart of the Hills; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Heart of the Hills; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shepherd
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Heart of the Hills; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Kingdom
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Heart of the Hills; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.