The Master Craftsman

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of The Master Craftsman is here in full — 225 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Walter Besant • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Master Craftsman

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

IN THE FIELDS.

I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

In the evening I took her on the river for an hour of the fresh strong air which sweeps up with the flow and down with the ebb; and on Saturday I took her for a little journey into the country.

I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XIV Reading 1/45

The Master Craftsman

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of The Master Craftsman is here in full — 225 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

IN THE FIELDS.

/ɪn ðə fiːldz/

Line 2

I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

/aɪ ɡeɪv hɜːr nuː ˈmjuːzɪk sʌm bʊks ʌv sɔːŋz sʌm bʊks ʌv ˈpoʊətri ənd sʌm ˈnɑːvəlz ʌv ə kaɪnd ðæt aɪ θɔːt ʃiː wʊd laɪk/

Line 3

I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

Line 4

In the evening I took her on the river for an hour of the fresh strong air which sweeps up with the flow and down with the ebb; and on Saturday I took her for a little journey into the country.

/ɪn ðə ˈiːvnɪŋ aɪ tʊk hɜːr ɑːn ðə ˈrɪvər fɔːr æn ˈaʊər ʌv ðə freʃ strɔːŋ er wɪtʃ swiːps ʌp wɪð ðə floʊ ənd daʊn wɪð ðə eb ənd ɑːn ˈsætərdi aɪ tʊk hɜːr fɔːr ə ˈlɪtəl ˈdʒɜːrni ˈɪntuː ðə ˈkʌntri/

Line 5

I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

/aɪ ˈwɔːntɪd riːl ˈkʌntri nɑːt ˈkɑːkni ˈkʌntri ðoʊ ðæt ɪz nɑːt tuː biː dɪˈspaɪzd/

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.

cockney noun US /ˈkɑːkni/

a native of the east end of London

From this reading “I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.”

despised adjective US /dɪˈspaɪzd/

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading “I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.”

ebb verb US /eb/

flow back or recede

From this reading “In the evening I took her on the river for an hour of the fresh strong air which sweeps up with the flow and down with the ebb; and on Saturday I took her for a little journey into the country.”

flow noun US /floʊ/

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

groaned verb US /ɡroʊnd/

past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure

From this reading “I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.”

novels noun US /ˈnɑːvəlz/

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading “I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.”

songs noun US /sɔːŋz/

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading “I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.”

sweeps noun US /swiːps/

plural of “sweep” — a wide scope

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.

into the country preposition + article + noun counted as “into … country”

In this reading “In the evening I took her on the river for an hour of the fresh strong air which sweeps up with the flow and down with the ebb; and on Saturday I took her for a little journey into the country.”

In the evening preposition + article + noun counted as “in … evening”

for an hour preposition + article + noun counted as “for … hour”

IN THE FIELDS preposition + article + noun counted as “in … fields”

In this reading “IN THE FIELDS.”

on the river preposition + article + noun counted as “on … river”

All words in this reading · 60

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading In the evening I took her on the river for an hour of the fresh strong air which sweeps up with the flow and down with the ebb; and on Saturday I took her for a little journey into the country.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

cockneynounUS /ˈkɑːkni/

a native of the east end of London

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

ebbverbUS /eb/

flow back or recede

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

FIELDSnounUS /fiːldz/

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading IN THE FIELDS.

filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

flownounUS /floʊ/

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/

recently made, produced, or harvested

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/

past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

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

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN THE FIELDS.

insomuchadverb

to such an extent or degree; so

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/

literature in metrical form

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

realadjectiveUS /riːl/

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

RobertnounUS /ˈrɑːbərt/

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

SaturdaynounUS /ˈsætərdi/

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

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

songsnounUS /sɔːŋz/

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

sweepsnounUS /swiːps/

plural of “sweep” — a wide scope

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN THE FIELDS.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading I wanted real country, not cockney country, though that is not to be despised.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I filled the windows with flowers, insomuch that Robert groaned; I gave her flowers for the table.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading I gave her new music, some books of songs, some books of poetry, and some novels of a kind that I thought she would like.

Chapter 14 of The Master Craftsman by Walter Besant holds 225 sentences, grouped into 45 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 14 of The Master Craftsman contain?

Chapter 14 holds 225 sentences of The Master Craftsman, unabridged, divided into 45 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 14 of The Master Craftsman by Walter Besant exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 225 sentences, grouped into 45 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 14 of The Master Craftsman?

Work through the 45 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 45 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 14 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 14 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.

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Chapter XIV

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