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The Railway Man and His Children
The Railway Man and His Children

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of The Railway Man and His Children is here in full — 213 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Railway Man and His Children
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The night of the ball arrived at last.
The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.
Everybody had come.
The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.
Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.
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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 Railway Man and His Children

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of The Railway Man and His Children is here in full — 213 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The night of the ball arrived at last.
/ðə naɪt ʌv ðə bɔːl ərˈaɪvd æt læst/
Line 2
The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.
Line 3
Everybody had come.
/ˈevribɑːdi hæd kʌm/
Line 4
The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.
Line 5
Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

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.

accommodation noun US /əˌkɑːməˈdeɪʃən/

making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading “The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.”

beaming adjective US /ˈbiːmɪŋ/

cheerful and bright

From this reading “Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.”

carriages noun US /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/

plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading “The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.”

element noun US /ˈeləmənt/

an abstract part of something

From this reading “The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.”

episode noun US /ˈepəsoʊd/

a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events

From this reading “Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.”

hosts noun US /hoʊsts/

plural of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading “The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.”

proudest adjective US /ˈpraʊdəst/

superlative of “proud” — feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading “Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.”

stables noun US /ˈsteɪbəlz/

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading “The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.”

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.

arrived at verb + particle counted as “arrive at”

reach a destination, either real or abstract

In this reading “The night of the ball arrived at last.”

hung heavy verb + adjective counted as “hang heavy”

In this reading “Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.”

in the neighbourhood preposition + article + noun counted as “in … neighbourhood”

In this reading “The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.”

little episode adjective + noun

In this reading “Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.”

in the county preposition + article + noun counted as “in … county”

In this reading “Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.”

All words in this reading · 57

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.

accommodationnounUS /əˌkɑːməˈdeɪʃən/

making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

Archie's

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

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading The night of the ball arrived at last.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The night of the ball arrived at last.

ballnounUS /bɔːl/

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading The night of the ball arrived at last.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

beamingadjectiveUS /ˈbiːmɪŋ/

cheerful and bright

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/

plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading Everybody had come.

countynounUS /ˈkaʊnti/

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

descriptionnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃən/

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/

an abstract part of something

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

episodenounUS /ˈepəsoʊd/

a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

EverybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading Everybody had come.

expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/

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

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

guestsnounUS /ɡests/

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

heartsnounUS /hɑːrts/

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

horsesnounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

hostsnounUS /hoʊsts/

plural of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

hungverbUS /hʌŋ/

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading The night of the ball arrived at last.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

neighbourhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The night of the ball arrived at last.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The night of the ball arrived at last.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

predetermines

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

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

proudestadjectiveUS /ˈpraʊdəst/

superlative of “proud” — feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

receiveverbUS /rəˈsiːv/

get something; come into possession of

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

Rosmore

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

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

Rowland

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

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

soulnounUS /soʊl/

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

successnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Rowland had forgotten that little episode which still hung heavy on Archie’s soul, and stood beaming, the proudest man in the county, to receive his guests.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The night of the ball arrived at last.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The great element of success, which predetermines the question, the arrival of all expected, made the hearts of the hosts glad.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The stables in Rosmore, and all the accommodation to be had in the neighbourhood, were filled with horses and carriages of every description.

Chapter 27 of The Railway Man and His Children by Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant holds 213 sentences, grouped into 43 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 27 of The Railway Man and His Children contain?

Chapter 27 holds 213 sentences of The Railway Man and His Children, unabridged, divided into 43 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of The Railway Man and His Children by Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 213 sentences, grouped into 43 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 27 of The Railway Man and His Children?

Work through the 43 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 43 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 27 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 27 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 Railway Man and His Children

Common questions about reading The Railway Man and His Children by Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Railway Man and His Children?

Yes. All 10693 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59424 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Railway Man and His Children is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59424, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Railway Man and His Children take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2139 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Railway Man and His Children section by section

How to work through The Railway Man and His Children section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of The Railway Man and His Children 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 Railway Man and His Children

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Railway Man and His Children, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Ferrars
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Railway Man and His Children; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Going
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Railway Man and His Children; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Marry
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Railway Man and His Children; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rowland
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Railway Man and His Children; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.