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The Privet Hedge
The Privet Hedge

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Privet Hedge is here in full — 400 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Privet Hedge
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.
His interest was beginning to wake again.
"I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."
"Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.
"No, thank you.
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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 Privet Hedge

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Privet Hedge is here in full — 400 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.
/ˈwɪlsən ɡlænst ˈsaɪdweɪz æt hɜːr ˈveɪɡli ˈsætəsfaɪd wɪð ðə ˈlaɪtnəs ʌv hɜːr step baɪ hɪz saɪd ənd ðə lʊk ʌv hɜːr lɪps ənd aɪz θruː ðə mɪst/
Line 2
His interest was beginning to wake again.
/hɪz ˈɪntrəst wɑːz bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ tuː weɪk əˈɡen/
Line 3
"I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."
Line 4
"Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.
/oʊ kæn aɪ teɪk ðem sed ˈkerəlaɪn/
Line 5
"No, thank you.
/noʊ θæŋk juː/

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.

Caroline adjective US /ˈkerəlaɪn/

of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England

From this reading “"Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.”

Fete verb US /feɪt/

have a celebration

From this reading “"I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."”

helping noun US /ˈhelpɪŋ/

an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal

From this reading “"I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."”

lightness noun US /ˈlaɪtnəs/

a feeling of joy and pride

From this reading “Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.”

sideways adverb US /ˈsaɪdweɪz/

with one side forward or to the front

From this reading “Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.”

tickets noun US /ˈtɪkəts/

plural of “ticket” — 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 “"I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."”

vaguely adverb US /ˈveɪɡli/

in a vague way

From this reading “Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.”

Wilson noun US /ˈwɪlsən/

author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)

From this reading “Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.”

All words in this reading · 55

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.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading His interest was beginning to wake again.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading His interest was beginning to wake again.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.

CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/

of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England

From this reading "Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.

CottagenounUS /ˈkɑːtədʒ/

a small house with a single story

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

Ethel

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

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

FeteverbUS /feɪt/

have a celebration

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

GardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

glancedverbUS /ɡlænst/

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/

an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

HospitalnounUS /ˈhɑːspɪtəl/

a health facility where patients receive treatment

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading His interest was beginning to wake again.

lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/

a feeling of joy and pride

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

lipsnounUS /lɪps/

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

mistverbUS /mɪst/

become covered with mist

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "No, thank you.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading "Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.

satisfiedadjectiveUS /ˈsætəsfaɪd/

filled with satisfaction

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

sidewaysadverbUS /ˈsaɪdweɪz/

with one side forward or to the front

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

stepnounUS /step/

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading "Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.

TemplenounUS /ˈtempəl/

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

thankverbUS /θæŋk/

express gratitude or show appreciation to

From this reading "No, thank you.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "Oh, can I take them?" said Caroline.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

ticketsnounUS /ˈtɪkəts/

plural of “ticket” — 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 "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His interest was beginning to wake again.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/

in a vague way

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

wakeverbUS /weɪk/

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading His interest was beginning to wake again.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His interest was beginning to wake again.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "I am going to the Cottage with some tickets for that Garden Fete for the Hospital which Miss Ethel and Miss Temple are helping to get up."

WilsonnounUS /ˈwɪlsən/

author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Wilson glanced sideways at her, vaguely satisfied with the lightness of her step by his side and the look of her lips and eyes through the mist.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "No, thank you.

Chapter 4 of The Privet Hedge by J. E. Buckrose holds 400 sentences, grouped into 80 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 4 of The Privet Hedge contain?

Chapter 4 holds 400 sentences of The Privet Hedge, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Privet Hedge by J. E. Buckrose exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 400 sentences, grouped into 80 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 4 of The Privet Hedge?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Privet Hedge

Common questions about reading The Privet Hedge by J. E. Buckrose on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Privet Hedge?

Yes. All 3975 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #24333 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Privet Hedge is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #24333, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Privet Hedge take to read?

About 331 minutes of reading across 795 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Privet Hedge section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of The Privet Hedge 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 Privet Hedge

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

Thorhaven
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Privet Hedge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Towards
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Privet Hedge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
North
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Privet Hedge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Privet Hedge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.