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The Little Clown
The Little Clown

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of The Little Clown is here in full — 67 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Thomas Cobb • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Little Clown
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.
As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.
Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.
A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.
'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'
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 Little Clown

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of The Little Clown is here in full — 67 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.
/ðə ˈdʒɜːrni fɔːr ðə fɜːrst ˈkwɔːrtər ʌv æn ˈaʊər ˈæftər ðə treɪn ˈstɑːrtɪd ˈdʒɪmi wɑːz kənˈtentəd tuː ɡeɪz aʊt ʌv ðə ˈwɪndoʊ bʌt ˈprezəntli ˈɡroʊɪŋ ˈtaɪərd ʌv ˈduːɪŋ ðæt hiː tɜːrnd tuː lʊk æt ðə tuː ˈleɪdiz æt ðə ˈfɑːrðər end ʌv ðə kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/
Line 2
As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.
/æz ˈdʒɪmi muːvd ɪn hɪz siːt hɪz buːts tʌtʃt ðə oʊld ˈdʒentəlmʌnz blæk ˈtraʊzərz/
Line 3
Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.
/ˈleɪɪŋ əˈsaɪd hɪz ˈnuːzpeɪpər ðə oʊld ˈdʒentəlmən liːnd ˈfɔːrwərd tuː lʊk æt ðem ənd ðen hiː brʌʃt ɔːf ðə mʌd/
Line 4
A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.
/ə fjuː ˈmoʊmənts ˈleɪtər ˈdʒɪmiz buːts tʌtʃt hɪz ˈtraʊzərz əˈɡen ənd ðə oʊld ˈdʒentəlmən bɪˈɡæn tuː kɑːf/
Line 5
'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

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.

brushed adjective US /brʌʃt/

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading “Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
compartment noun US /kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/

a space into which an area is subdivided

From this reading “THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
contented adjective US /kənˈtentəd/

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading “THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cough verb US /kɑːf/

exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion

From this reading “A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gentleman's noun US /ˈdʒentəlmʌnz/

possessive form of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading “As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Jimmy verb US /ˈdʒɪmi/

to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open

From this reading “THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Jimmy's noun US /ˈdʒɪmiz/

possessive form of “jimmy” — a short crowbar

From this reading “A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
trousers noun US /ˈtraʊzərz/

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading “As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

leaned forward verb + particle counted as “lean forward”

In this reading “Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.”

9,684 times in 225,867 chapters
loud voice adjective + noun

In this reading “'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'”

6,448 times in 225,867 chapters
greatly obliged adverb + adjective

In this reading “'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'”

555 times in 225,867 chapters
few moments adjective + noun counted as “few moment”

In this reading “A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.”

31,830 times in 225,867 chapters
farther end adjective + noun

In this reading “THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.”

2,648 times in 225,867 chapters
old gentleman's adjective + noun counted as “old gentleman”

In this reading “As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.”

20,349 times in 225,867 chapters
black trousers adjective + noun

In this reading “As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.”

241 times in 225,867 chapters
look at verb + particle

take into consideration for exemplifying purposes

In this reading “THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.”

296,767 times in 225,867 chapters

All words in this reading · 80

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 A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asideadverbUS /əˈsaɪd/

on or to one side

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bootsnounUS /buːts/

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
compartmentnounUS /kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/

a space into which an area is subdivided

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
coughverbUS /kɑːf/

exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion

From this reading A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
door-mat

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

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

Pending verification
endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fartheradjectiveUS /ˈfɑːrðər/

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gazenounUS /ɡeɪz/

a long fixed look

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/

a man of refinement

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gentleman'snounUS /ˈdʒentəlmʌnz/

possessive form of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
growingnounUS /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JimmyverbUS /ˈdʒɪmi/

to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Jimmy'snounUS /ˈdʒɪmiz/

possessive form of “jimmy” — a short crowbar

From this reading A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JOURNEYverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LayingnounUS /ˈleɪɪŋ/

the production of eggs (especially in birds)

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
leanedverbUS /liːnd/

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
legsnounUS /leɡz/

staying power

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
loudadjectiveUS /laʊd/

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading A few moments later Jimmy's boots touched his trousers again, and the old gentleman began to cough.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mudnounUS /mʌd/

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
newspapernounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpər/

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
obligedadjectiveUS /əˈblaɪdʒd/

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/

in the near future

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/

one of four equal parts

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seatnounUS /siːt/

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Laying aside his newspaper the old gentleman leaned forward to look at them, and then he brushed off the mud.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
touchedadjectiveUS /tʌtʃt/

having come into contact

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
trainverbUS /treɪn/

create by training and teaching

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading As Jimmy moved in his seat, his boots touched the old gentleman's black trousers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading THE JOURNEY For the first quarter of an hour after the train started Jimmy was contented to gaze out of the window, but presently, growing tired of doing that, he turned to look at the two ladies at the farther end of the compartment.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading 'I should feel greatly obliged,' he said in a loud voice, 'if you would not make a door-mat of my legs.'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 6 of The Little Clown by Thomas Cobb holds 67 sentences, grouped into 14 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 6 of The Little Clown contain?

Chapter 6 holds 67 sentences of The Little Clown, unabridged, divided into 14 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of The Little Clown by Thomas Cobb exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 67 sentences, grouped into 14 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 6 of The Little Clown?

Work through the 14 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 14 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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 Little Clown

Common questions about reading The Little Clown by Thomas Cobb on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Little Clown?

Yes. All 1050 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #31371 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Little Clown is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #31371, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Little Clown take to read?

About 87 minutes of reading across 210 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Little Clown section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 13 chapters of The Little Clown 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 Little Clown

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

Began
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Little Clown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Jimmy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Little Clown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Nearly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Little Clown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Eight
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Little Clown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.