Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The House of Torchy
The House of Torchy

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The House of Torchy is here in full — 284 sentences across 57 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The House of Torchy
Context Illustration Reading 1/56 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.
It's done now and then, you know.
Not deliberate.
I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.
Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."
0:00 / 0:00
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.

The House of Torchy

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The House of Torchy is here in full — 284 sentences across 57 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/56 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.
Line 2
It's done now and then, you know.
Line 3
Not deliberate.
/nɑːt dɪˈlɪbərət/
Line 4
I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.
Line 5
Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

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.

deliberate adjective US /dɪˈlɪbərət/

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading “Not deliberate.”

pastime noun US /ˈpæstaɪm/

a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)

From this reading “I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.”

prints noun US /prɪnts/

plural of “print” — the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading “Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."”

returns noun US /rɪˈtɜːrnz/

plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability

From this reading “LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.”

rupert noun US /ˈruːpərt/

English leader (born in Germany) of the Royalist forces during the English Civil War (1619-1682)

From this reading “LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.”

snapshots noun US /ˈsnæpʃɑːts/

plural of “snapshot” — an informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera

From this reading “LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.”

Tuesday noun US /ˈtuːzdi/

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading “Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."”

year's noun US /jɪrz/

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading “Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."”

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 I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

admitverbUS /ədˈmɪt/

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

aheadadverbUS /əˈhed/

at or in the front

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

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'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

comp'ny

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

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

deliberateadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪbərət/

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading Not deliberate.

don't

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

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading It's done now and then, you know.

emnounUS /em/

a quad with a square body

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

goin

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

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

I'll

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

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

It's

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

From this reading It's done now and then, you know.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading It's done now and then, you know.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

LATEadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

let's

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

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

mornin

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

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

nine-thirty

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

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not deliberate.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading It's done now and then, you know.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

pastimenounUS /ˈpæstaɪm/

a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

plannin

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

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

printsnounUS /prɪnts/

plural of “print” — the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

remarknounUS /rɪˈmɑːrk/

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

RETURNSnounUS /rɪˈtɜːrnz/

plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

RUPERTnounUS /ˈruːpərt/

English leader (born in Germany) of the Royalist forces during the English Civil War (1619-1682)

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

SaturdaynounUS /ˈsætərdi/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

snapshotsnounUS /ˈsnæpʃɑːts/

plural of “snapshot” — an informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

that's

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

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It's done now and then, you know.

TuesdaynounUS /ˈtuːzdi/

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

Vee

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

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading LATE RETURNS ON RUPERT Vee and I were goin' over some old snapshots the other night.

workedverbUS /wɜːrkt/

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

wouldn't

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

From this reading I'll admit that's a pastime you wouldn't get all worked up over plannin' ahead for.

year'snounUS /jɪrz/

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Tuesday mornin', say, you don't remark breathless: "I'll tell you: Saturday night at nine-thirty let's get out them last year's prints and give 'em the comp'ny front."

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It's done now and then, you know.

Chapter 13 of The House of Torchy by Sewell Ford holds 284 sentences, grouped into 57 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 13 of The House of Torchy contain?

Chapter 13 holds 284 sentences of The House of Torchy, unabridged, divided into 57 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of The House of Torchy by Sewell Ford exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 284 sentences, grouped into 57 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 13 of The House of Torchy?

Work through the 57 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 57 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 13 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 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 of Torchy

Common questions about reading The House of Torchy by Sewell Ford on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The House of Torchy?

Yes. All 5426 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #21882 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The House of Torchy is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #21882, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The House of Torchy take to read?

About 452 minutes of reading across 1086 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The House of Torchy section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of The House of Torchy 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 of Torchy

Words and structures a reader meets early in The House of Torchy, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Thought
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The House of Torchy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Taken
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The House of Torchy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sportin'
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The House of Torchy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chance
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The House of Torchy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.