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The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Scarlet Letter is here in full — 141 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Scarlet Letter
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.
It is I, and my little Pearl.”
Whence come you, Hester?” asked the minister.
What sent you hither?”
I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”
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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 Scarlet Letter

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Scarlet Letter is here in full — 141 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.
Line 2
It is I, and my little Pearl.”
Line 3
Whence come you, Hester?” asked the minister.
Line 4
What sent you hither?”
Line 5
I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynneat Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

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.

a

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

along

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

am

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

and

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

answered

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

approaching

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

asked

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

From this reading “Whence come you, Hester?” asked the minister.

at

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

been

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

come

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

From this reading “Whence come you, Hester?” asked the minister.

death-bed

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

dwelling

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

footsteps

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

for

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

from

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

going

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

Governor

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

had

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

have

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

heard

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

her

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

Hester

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

his

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

hither

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

From this reading “What sent you hither?”

homeward

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

I

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

From this reading “It is I, and my little Pearl.”

in

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

is

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

it

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

little

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

From this reading “It is I, and my little Pearl.”

measure

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

minister

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

my

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

From this reading “It is I, and my little Pearl.”

now

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

of

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

passing

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

Pearl

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

From this reading “It is I, and my little Pearl.”

Prynne

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

replied

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

robe

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

sent

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

From this reading “What sent you hither?”

she

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

side-walk

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

surprise

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

taken

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

the

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

to

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

tone

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

watching

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

What

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

From this reading “What sent you hither?”

Whence

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

From this reading “Whence come you, Hester?” asked the minister.

which

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

Winthrop's

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

From this reading “I have been watching at a death-bed,” answered Hester Prynne “at Governor Winthrop’s death-bed, and have taken his measure for a robe, and am now going homeward to my dwelling.”

Yes

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

From this reading “Yes; it is Hester Prynne!” she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.

you

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

From this reading “Whence come you, Hester?” asked the minister.

Chapter 13 of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne holds 141 sentences, grouped into 29 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 Scarlet Letter contain?

Chapter 13 holds 141 sentences of The Scarlet Letter, unabridged, divided into 29 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 141 sentences, grouped into 29 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 Scarlet Letter?

Work through the 29 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 29 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 Scarlet Letter

Common questions about reading The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Scarlet Letter?

Yes. All 3286 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #33 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Scarlet Letter is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #33, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Scarlet Letter take to read?

About 273 minutes of reading across 658 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Scarlet Letter section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 24 chapters of The Scarlet Letter 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 Scarlet Letter

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

Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Scarlet Letter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Remarkable
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Scarlet Letter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Though
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Scarlet Letter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Disinclined
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Scarlet Letter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.