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The Little Minister
The Little Minister

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Little Minister is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.
Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.
The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.
This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.
His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Little Minister

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Little Minister is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.
Line 2
Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.
Line 3
The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.
/ðə ˈdɪstəns ɪz hæf ə maɪl ənd ðə taɪm hiː tʊk wɑːz tuː ˈaʊərz/
Line 4
This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.
/ðɪs wɑːz ˈoʊɪŋ tuː hɪz ˈsetɪŋ aʊt duː west tuː riːtʃ ə pɔɪnt duː nɔːrθ jet wɪð ðə ˌɪnˈtentʃən ʌv dɪˈsiːvɪŋ nʌn seɪv hɪmˈself/
Line 5
His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.
/hɪz ˈriːzən hæd wɔːrnd hɪm tuː əˈvɔɪd ðə ɪˈdʒɪpʃən ənd hɪz dɪˈzaɪərz hæd kənˈsentɪd tuː biː dræɡd ˈwestwərd bɪˈkɔːz ðeɪ nuː hiː hæd ˈstɑːrtɪd tuː suːn/

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.

consented verb US /kənˈsentɪd/

past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to

From this reading “His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.”

deceiving verb US /dɪˈsiːvɪŋ/

-ing form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading “This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.”

desires noun US /dɪˈzaɪərz/

plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading “His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.”

Egyptian noun US /ɪˈdʒɪpʃən/

a native or inhabitant of Egypt

From this reading “His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.”

Monday noun US /ˈmʌndi/

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading “Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.”

owing adjective US /ˈoʊɪŋ/

owed as a debt

From this reading “This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.”

rupture verb US /ˈrʌptʃər/

separate or cause to separate abruptly

From this reading “CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.”

westward adverb US /ˈwestwərd/

toward the west

From this reading “His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

avoidverbUS /əˈvɔɪd/

stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

CADDAM

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

From this reading CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.

consentedverbUS /kənˈsentɪd/

past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

deceivingverbUS /dɪˈsiːvɪŋ/

-ing form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/

plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

draggedverbUS /dræɡd/

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

dueadjectiveUS /duː/

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

EgyptiannounUS /ɪˈdʒɪpʃən/

a native or inhabitant of Egypt

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

Gavin

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

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

LEADINGadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.

LOVEnounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.

milenounUS /maɪl/

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

mudnounUS /mʌd/

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

northnounUS /nɔːrθ/

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/

owed as a debt

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

reachverbUS /riːtʃ/

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

RUPTUREverbUS /ˈrʌptʃər/

separate or cause to separate abruptly

From this reading CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

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

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading CADDAM--LOVE LEADING TO A RUPTURE.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

warnedverbUS /wɔːrnd/

past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The distance is half a mile, and the time he took was two hours.

wentverbUS /went/

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

From this reading Gavin told himself not to go near the mud house on the following Monday; but he went.

westnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/

toward the west

From this reading His reason had warned him to avoid the Egyptian, and his desires had consented to be dragged westward because they knew he had started too soon.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading This was owing to his setting out due west to reach a point due north; yet with the intention of deceiving none save himself.

Chapter 17 of The Little Minister by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie holds 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 17 of The Little Minister contain?

Chapter 17 holds 169 sentences of The Little Minister, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of The Little Minister by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 17 of The Little Minister?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 Minister

Common questions about reading The Little Minister by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Little Minister?

Yes. All 7030 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5093 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Little Minister is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5093, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Little Minister take to read?

About 585 minutes of reading across 1406 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Little Minister section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Little Minister 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 Minister

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

Alongside
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Little Minister; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Making
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Little Minister; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Minister
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Little Minister; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Coast
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Little Minister; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.