Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Magic Egg, and Other Stories
The Magic Egg, and Other Stories

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The Magic Egg, and Other Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.
As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.
It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.
Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.
Then the distribution of the presents began.
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 Magic Egg, and Other Stories

Chapter VI

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.
Line 2
As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.
Line 3
It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.
Line 4
Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.
Line 5
Then the distribution of the presents began.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then the distribution of the presents began.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.”

Pleased noun US /ˈpleased/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.”

All words in this reading · 76

Every word is available to listen to. 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 Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

amused

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

ate

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

balls

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

beautiful

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then the distribution of the presents began.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

candles

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

Cephas

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

child

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

Christmas

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

corners

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

decorated

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

distribution

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

From this reading Then the distribution of the presents began.

dolls

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

eating

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

Eli

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

fashion

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

finished

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

four

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

girl

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

glass

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

happy

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

intensely

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

interested

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

lamps

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

lantern

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

lighted

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

most

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

Mrs

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

much

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

perhaps

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

placed

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

presents

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

From this reading Then the distribution of the presents began.

region

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

relish

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

room

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

see

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

set

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

ship's

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

superior

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

supper

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

Then

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

From this reading Then the distribution of the presents began.

three

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

tree

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

Trimmer

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

From this reading Mrs. Trimmer was intensely pleased and interested to see the child so happy, and Captain Eli was much pleased and interested to see the child and Mrs. Trimmer so happy, and Captain Cephas was interested, and perhaps a little amused in a superior fashion, to see Captain Eli and Mrs. Trimmer and the little child so happy.

up

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

valuable

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

From this reading As to the Christmas tree, it was the most valuable, if not the most beautiful, that had ever been set up in that region.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading It had no candles upon it, but was lighted by three lamps and a ship's lantern placed in the four corners of the room, and the little girl was as happy as if the tree were decorated with little dolls and glass balls.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Captain Cephas ate his supper with a good relish, and was still eating when the rest had finished.