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The House Behind the Cedars
The House Behind the Cedars

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The House Behind the Cedars is here in full — 155 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The House Behind the Cedars
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.
And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.
Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?
Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?
Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.
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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 House Behind the Cedars

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The House Behind the Cedars is here in full — 155 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.
Line 2
And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.
Line 3
Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?
Line 4
Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?
Line 5
Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

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.

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.”

All words in this reading · 119

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.

a

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

about

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

after

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

age

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

all

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

an

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

and

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

apposite

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

are

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

as

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

bare

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

be

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

bestow

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

bloom

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

branches

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

brief

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

bring

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

but

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

by

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

came

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

ceased

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

Civil

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

day

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

decline

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

departed

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

destroying

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

door

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

down

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

drunk

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

dry

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

even-tempered

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

evil

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

few

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

fine

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

followed

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

fountain

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

front

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

grow

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

hand

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

has

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

have

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

having

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

he

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

held

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

Hotel

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

if

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

in

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

is

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

it

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

its

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

known

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

leaves

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

linger

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

loath

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

long

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

lovingly

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

man

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

market-house

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

mockery

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

morning

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

most

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

nine

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

not

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

now

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

o'clock

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

of

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

old

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

one

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

or

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

out

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

own

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

passed

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

Patesville

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

perceptible

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

places

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

random

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

reflection

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

reflections

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

sap

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

seem

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

seemed

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

seems

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

seen

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

since

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

some

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

somewhere

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

spring

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

started

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

Street

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

subject

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

such

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

surely

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

swiftly

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

that

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

the

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

then

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

there

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

things

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

through

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

Time

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

to

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

touches

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

toward

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

town

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

trite

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

War

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

where

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

which

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

Who

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

winter

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

with

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

without

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

From this reading Who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline?

woman

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

From this reading Who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth?

wrinkles

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

years

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

yet

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

From this reading And yet there are places where Time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day.

young

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

From this reading Some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the Patesville Hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the Civil War, and started down Front Street toward the market-house.

youth

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

From this reading Time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter.

Chapter 1 of The House Behind the Cedars by Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt holds 155 sentences, grouped into 31 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 House Behind the Cedars contain?

Chapter 1 holds 155 sentences of The House Behind the Cedars, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The House Behind the Cedars by Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 155 sentences, grouped into 31 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 House Behind the Cedars?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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 House Behind the Cedars

Common questions about reading The House Behind the Cedars by Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The House Behind the Cedars?

Yes. All 3362 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #472 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The House Behind the Cedars is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #472, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The House Behind the Cedars take to read?

About 280 minutes of reading across 673 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The House Behind the Cedars section by section

How to work through The House Behind the Cedars section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of The House Behind the Cedars 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 House Behind the Cedars

Words and structures a reader meets early in The House Behind the Cedars, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Touches
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The House Behind the Cedars; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Things
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The House Behind the Cedars; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Destroying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The House Behind the Cedars; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bestow
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The House Behind the Cedars; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.