Chapter 13 of The Lilac Lady is here in full — 136 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XIII
Chapter 13 of The Lilac Lady is here in full — 136 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth. "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl. "You look as if it were quite a calamity." "It's worse'n a c'lamity. It's a _capostrophe_.
Chapter 13 of The Lilac Lady is here in full — 136 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading “"You look as if it were quite a calamity."”
with gloom
From this reading “CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.”
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading “CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.”
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading “"I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.”
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading “CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.”
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading “CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.”
possessive form of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading “CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.”
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading “CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "You look as if it were quite a calamity."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
next to; at the side of
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's worse'n a c'lamity.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading "You look as if it were quite a calamity."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's a _capostrophe_.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.
a low seat or a stool to rest the feet of a seated person
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
a young female
From this reading "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.
with gloom
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "You look as if it were quite a calamity."
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "You look as if it were quite a calamity."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's worse'n a c'lamity.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "You look as if it were quite a calamity."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "You look as if it were quite a calamity."
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "I am sure I don't know," smiled the older girl.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
possessive form of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You look as if it were quite a calamity."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's worse'n a c'lamity.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading CHILDREN'S DAY AT HILL STREET CHURCH "What do you think's happened now?" asked Peace, seating herself gloomily upon the footstool beside the invalid, and thrusting a long grass-blade between her teeth.
Chapter 13 of The Lilac Lady by Ruth Brown MacArthur holds 136 sentences, grouped into 28 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.
Chapter 13 holds 136 sentences of The Lilac Lady, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 13 of The Lilac Lady by Ruth Brown MacArthur exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 136 sentences, grouped into 28 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.
Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 28 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.
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.
Common questions about reading The Lilac Lady by Ruth Brown MacArthur on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 3788 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #23782 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #23782, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 315 minutes of reading across 758 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Lilac Lady section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 16 chapters of The Lilac Lady to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The Lilac Lady, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
