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The Pool in the Desert
The Pool in the Desert

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Pool in the Desert is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, his personality takes possession of one.
I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’
You mean,’ she answered, that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’
On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.
But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’
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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 Pool in the Desert

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Pool in the Desert is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.
Line 2
I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’
/aɪ ˈkɑːnstəntli ɡoʊ tuː ðæt ˈlɪtəl hʌt ʌv hɪz wɪð ˌɪnˈtentʃənz bəˈnevələnt ɔːr ˈʌðərwaɪz wɪtʃ aɪ ˈnevər ˈkæri aʊt/
Line 3
You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’
Line 4
On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.
Line 5
But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’
/bʌt ðə ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən tʊk ə tɜːrn ðæt meɪd ɪt kwaɪt ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl tuː ˈmenʃən/

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.

benevolent adjective US /bəˈnevələnt/

intending or showing kindness

From this reading “I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’”

completely adverb US /kəmˈpliːtli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading “‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’”

constantly adverb US /ˈkɑːnstəntli/

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading “I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’”

hateful adjective US /ˈheɪtfəl/

evoking or deserving hatred

From this reading “‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’”

hut noun US /hʌt/

temporary military shelter

From this reading “I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’”

intentions noun US /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/

plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading “I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’”

personality noun US /ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪti/

the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual

From this reading “‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.”

reveal verb US /rɪˈviːl/

make visible

From this reading “‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’”

All words in this reading · 61

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 ‘On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

benevolentadjectiveUS /bəˈnevələnt/

intending or showing kindness

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’

carryverbUS /ˈkæri/

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

completelyadverbUS /kəmˈpliːtli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

constantlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnstəntli/

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

contraryadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntreri/

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading ‘On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.

conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’

didn't

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

From this reading ‘On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.

Dora

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

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ‘On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.

forgetverbUS /fərˈɡet/

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading ‘On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.

forgotverbUS /fərˈɡɑːt/

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

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

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

gymkhananoun

a meet at which riders and horses display a range of skills and aptitudes

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

hatefuladjectiveUS /ˈheɪtfəl/

evoking or deserving hatred

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

hutnounUS /hʌt/

temporary military shelter

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’

intentionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/

plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ‘On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.

Kauffer

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

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’

meanverbUS /miːn/

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/

make reference to

From this reading But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading ‘On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ‘On the contrary, I didn’t forget it for a moment.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

otherwiseadverbUS /ˈʌðərwaɪz/

in other respects or ways

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

personalitynounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪti/

the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

possessionnounUS /pəˈzeʃən/

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’

revealverbUS /rɪˈviːl/

make visible

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

rodeverbUS /roʊd/

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

takesnounUS /teɪks/

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’

turnverbUS /tɜːrn/

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading But the conversation took a turn that made it quite impossible to mention.’

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading ‘The fact is,’ I said to Dora as we rode down to the gymkhana, ‘his personality takes possession of one.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I constantly go to that little hut of his with intentions, benevolent or otherwise, which I never carry out.’

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘You mean,’ she answered, ‘that you completely forgot to reveal to him your hateful knowledge about Kauffer.’

Chapter 13 of The Pool in the Desert by Sara Jeannette Duncan holds 130 sentences, grouped into 26 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 13 of The Pool in the Desert contain?

Chapter 13 holds 130 sentences of The Pool in the Desert, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of The Pool in the Desert by Sara Jeannette Duncan exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 130 sentences, grouped into 26 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 13 of The Pool in the Desert?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 13 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 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 Pool in the Desert

Common questions about reading The Pool in the Desert by Sara Jeannette Duncan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Pool in the Desert?

Yes. All 3953 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1168 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Pool in the Desert is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1168, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Pool in the Desert take to read?

About 329 minutes of reading across 791 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Pool in the Desert section by section

How to work through The Pool in the Desert section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of The Pool in the Desert to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Pool in the Desert

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Pool in the Desert, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Times
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Pool in the Desert; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Without
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Pool in the Desert; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Puddings
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Pool in the Desert; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Uniform
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Pool in the Desert; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.