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The Old Blood
The Old Blood

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Old Blood is here in full — 102 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Frederick Palmer • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Old Blood
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.
"You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.
"Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.
"And what do you think of Truckleford?
Is it like what you imagined?" she asked.
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 Old Blood

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Old Blood is here in full — 102 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.
Line 2
"You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.
Line 3
"Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.
Line 4
"And what do you think of Truckleford?
Line 5
Is it like what you imagined?" she asked.
/ɪz ɪt laɪk wʌt juː ˌɪˈmædʒənd ʃiː æskt/

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.

awaiting verb US /əˈweɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading “AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
damask noun US /ˈdæməsk/

a table linen made from linen with a damask pattern

From this reading “AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
invitation noun US /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading “AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lawn noun US /lɔːn/

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading “AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pour verb US /pɔːr/

cause to run

From this reading “"Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
presided verb US /prɪˈzaɪdɪd/

past form of “preside” — act as president

From this reading “AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
relative noun US /ˈrelətɪv/

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading “AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
welcomed verb US /ˈwelkəmd/

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading “AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.”

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.

afternoon tea noun + noun

a light midafternoon meal of tea and sandwiches or cakes

In this reading “"You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.”

881 times in 225,867 chapters
on the lawn preposition + article + noun counted as “on … lawn”

In this reading “AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.”

3,744 times in 225,867 chapters
brave effort adjective + noun

In this reading “"Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.”

285 times in 225,867 chapters
think of verb + particle

keep in mind for attention or consideration

In this reading “"And what do you think of Truckleford?”

152,298 times in 225,867 chapters

All words in this reading · 58

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 AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

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 AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Is it like what you imagined?" she asked.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
braveadjectiveUS /breɪv/

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cordialitynoun

a cordial disposition

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cupnounUS /kʌp/

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
damasknounUS /ˈdæməsk/

a table linen made from linen with a damask pattern

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "And what do you think of Truckleford?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
don't

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

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

Pending verification
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
imaginedverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənd/

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Is it like what you imagined?" she asked.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
INVITATIONnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Is it like what you imagined?" she asked.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Is it like what you imagined?" she asked.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/

set down according to a plan

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Is it like what you imagined?" she asked.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
moonnounUS /muːn/

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Phil

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

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Pending verification
PleaseverbUS /pliːz/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pourverbUS /pɔːr/

cause to run

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
presidedverbUS /prɪˈzaɪdɪd/

past form of “preside” — act as president

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "Please pour me a cup and see an American in England make a brave effort," Phil said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
teanounUS /tiː/

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tea-table

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

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Pending verification
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "And what do you think of Truckleford?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Truckleford

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

From this reading "And what do you think of Truckleford?

Pending verification
vicaragenoun

an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

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 AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "And what do you think of Truckleford?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
white-hairedadjective

showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading AN INVITATION The tea-table, a damask moon on the lawn of the vicarage, was laid awaiting their arrival and the white-haired woman who presided welcomed Phil with the simple cordiality of a near relative.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You don't have afternoon tea in America, I believe?" she said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 3 of The Old Blood by Frederick Palmer holds 102 sentences, grouped into 21 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 3 of The Old Blood contain?

Chapter 3 holds 102 sentences of The Old Blood, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Old Blood by Frederick Palmer exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 102 sentences, grouped into 21 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 3 of The Old Blood?

Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 21 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Old Blood

Common questions about reading The Old Blood by Frederick Palmer on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Old Blood?

Yes. All 5341 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #36329 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Old Blood is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #36329, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Old Blood take to read?

About 445 minutes of reading across 1069 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Old Blood section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 Old Blood

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

Great
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Old Blood; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Company
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Old Blood; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Perhaps
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Old Blood; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Story-teller
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Old Blood; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.