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The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Secret Garden is here in full — 210 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.

Cover illustration for The Secret Garden
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IT’S MOTHER!”
Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.
After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.
I like to do it,” he explained, because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.
I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”
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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 Secret Garden

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Secret Garden is here in full — 210 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
IT’S MOTHER!”
Line 2
Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.
Line 3
After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.
Line 4
I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.
Line 5
I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

All words in this reading · 63

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.

abiding

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

about

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

After

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

From this reading After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.

am

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

an

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

and

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

as

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

be

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

because

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

belief

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

Ben

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

besides

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

can

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

church

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

Colin

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

From this reading After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.

discoveries

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

do

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

explained

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

feel

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

gave

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

From this reading After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.

give

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

go

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

great

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

grow

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

he

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

I

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

if

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

in

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

incantations

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

From this reading After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.

is

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

it

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

IT'S

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

From this reading “IT’S MOTHER!”

lecture

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

lectures

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

From this reading After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.

like

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

Magic

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

make

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

morning's

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

From this reading After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.

MOTHER

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

From this reading “IT’S MOTHER!”

now

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

obliged

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

only

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

practise

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

scientific

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

shall

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

short

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

sleep

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

so

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

sometimes

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

From this reading After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.

the

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

Their

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

them

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

From this reading After the morning’s incantations Colin sometimes gave them Magic lectures.

thing

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

this

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

to

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

up

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

very

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

was

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

From this reading Their belief in the Magic was an abiding thing.

Weatherstaff

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

were

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

when

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

From this reading “I like to do it,” he explained, “because when I grow up and make great scientific discoveries I shall be obliged to lecture about them and so this is practise.

would

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

young

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

From this reading I can only give short lectures now because I am very young, and besides Ben Weatherstaff would feel as if he were in church and he would go to sleep.”

Chapter Quiz

Use these questions to verify literal comprehension before continuing to the next chapter.

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 25: The Curtain?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed
Narrator: “I wish my father would come home,” he said.

Chapter 26 of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett holds 210 sentences, grouped into 42 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 26 of The Secret Garden contain?

Chapter 26 holds 210 sentences of The Secret Garden, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 26 of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 210 sentences, grouped into 42 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 26 of The Secret Garden?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 26 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 26 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 Secret Garden

Common questions about reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Secret Garden?

Yes. All 5579 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #113 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Secret Garden is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #113, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Secret Garden take to read?

About 464 minutes of reading across 1116 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Secret Garden section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of The Secret Garden 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 Secret Garden

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

Lennox
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Garden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Misselthwaite
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Garden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Manor
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Garden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Uncle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Garden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.