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The Old Stone House
The Old Stone House

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Old Stone House is here in full — 417 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Old Stone House
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
LIFE AT THE OLD STONE HOUSE.
"Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."
The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.
"Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.
"He did not!
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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 Stone House

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Old Stone House is here in full — 417 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
LIFE AT THE OLD STONE HOUSE.
/laɪf æt ðə oʊld stoʊn haʊs/
Line 2
"Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."
/kʌm kʌm ˈtʃɪldrən sed ænt feɪθ æz ʃiː went daʊn ðə sterz duː nɑːt weɪst soʊ mʌtʃ taɪm ɪn ˈtɔːkɪŋ ɔːr juː wɪl biː leɪt fɔːr prerz/
Line 3
The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.
Line 4
"Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.
Line 5
"He did not!
/hiː dɪd nɑːt/

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.

dialogue noun US /ˈdaɪəlɔːɡ/

a conversation between two persons

From this reading “The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.”

Gem noun US /dʒem/

art highly prized for its beauty or perfection

From this reading “The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.”

Republican noun US /rɪˈpʌblɪkən/

a member of the Republican Party

From this reading “"Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.”

respective adjective US /rɪˈspektɪv/

considered individually

From this reading “The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.”

ticket noun US /ˈtɪkət/

a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)

From this reading “"Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.”

toilet noun US /ˈtɔɪlət/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading “The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.”

vote noun US /voʊt/

a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative

From this reading “The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.”

voted verb US /ˈvoʊtɪd/

past form of “vote” — express one's preference for a candidate or for a measure or resolution; cast a vote

From this reading “"Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading LIFE AT THE OLD STONE HOUSE.

AuntnounUS /ænt/

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

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

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

ComeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

dialoguenounUS /ˈdaɪəlɔːɡ/

a conversation between two persons

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

dognounUS /dɔːɡ/

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

Esqnoun

a title of respect for a member of the English gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

FaithnounUS /feɪθ/

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

GemnounUS /dʒem/

art highly prized for its beauty or perfection

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

half-closed

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

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "He did not!

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

HOUSEnounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading LIFE AT THE OLD STONE HOUSE.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

keynounUS /kiː/

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

LIFEnounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading LIFE AT THE OLD STONE HOUSE.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

OLDadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading LIFE AT THE OLD STONE HOUSE.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

Pete

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

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

prayersnounUS /prerz/

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

RepublicannounUS /rɪˈpʌblɪkən/

a member of the Republican Party

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

respectiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪv/

considered individually

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

roomsnounUS /ruːmz/

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

sensibleadjectiveUS /ˈsensəbəl/

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

stairsnounUS /sterz/

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

STONEnounUS /stoʊn/

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading LIFE AT THE OLD STONE HOUSE.

subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading LIFE AT THE OLD STONE HOUSE.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

ticketnounUS /ˈtɪkət/

a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

Trone

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

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

votenounUS /voʊt/

a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

votedverbUS /ˈvoʊtɪd/

past form of “vote” — express one's preference for a candidate or for a measure or resolution; cast a vote

From this reading "Pete voted the Republican ticket, like a sensible dog!" replied Tom, in a high key.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

wastenounUS /weɪst/

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

wentverbUS /went/

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

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The talking consisted of a dialogue between Tom and Gem, carried on through the half-closed door of their respective rooms during the morning toilet, and the subject, as usual, was Pete Trone, Esq. "Who did Pete vote for?" began Gem.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Come, come, children," said Aunt Faith, as she went down the stairs, "do not waste so much time in talking or you will be late for prayers."

Chapter 2 of The Old Stone House by Constance Fenimore Woolson holds 417 sentences, grouped into 84 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 2 of The Old Stone House contain?

Chapter 2 holds 417 sentences of The Old Stone House, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Old Stone House by Constance Fenimore Woolson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 417 sentences, grouped into 84 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 2 of The Old Stone House?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 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.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Stone House

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Vocabulary met early in The Old Stone House

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Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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