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The Secret Places of the Heart
The Secret Places of the Heart

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The Secret Places of the Heart is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Secret Places of the Heart
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.
I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.
But is the movement of events?”
The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.
Can our wills prevail?”
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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 Places of the Heart

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The Secret Places of the Heart is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.
Line 2
I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.
Line 3
But is the movement of events?”
/bʌt ɪz ðə ˈmuːvmənt ʌv ɪˈvents/
Line 4
The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.
/ðə ɪˈtɜːrnəl ˈprɑːbləm ʌv mæn sed sɜːr ˈrɪtʃmənd/
Line 5
Can our wills prevail?”
/kæn ˈaʊər wɪlz prɪˈveɪl/

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.

control noun US /kənˈtroʊl/

power to direct or determine

From this reading ““I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.”

eternal adjective US /ɪˈtɜːrnəl/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading ““The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.”

haphazard adjective US /hæpˈhæzərd/

dependent upon or characterized by chance

From this reading ““I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.”

injected verb US /ˌɪnˈdʒektəd/

past form of “inject” — give an injection to

From this reading ““I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.”

prevail verb US /prɪˈveɪl/

be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading ““Can our wills prevail?””

problem noun US /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading ““The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.”

Richmond noun US /ˈrɪtʃmənd/

capital of the state of Virginia located in the east central part of the state; was capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War

From this reading ““The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.”

wills noun US /wɪlz/

plural of “will” — the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

From this reading ““Can our wills prevail?””

All words in this reading · 49

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.

admitverbUS /ədˈmɪt/

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

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 “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But is the movement of events?”

Canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Can our wills prevail?”

controlnounUS /kənˈtroʊl/

power to direct or determine

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

eternaladjectiveUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəl/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading “The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.

eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading But is the movement of events?”

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

generallyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəli/

usually; as a rule

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

haphazardadjectiveUS /hæpˈhæzərd/

dependent upon or characterized by chance

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

I'm

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

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

injectedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʒektəd/

past form of “inject” — give an injection to

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading “The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.

markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

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

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “Can our wills prevail?”

patiencenounUS /ˈpeɪʃəns/

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

prevailverbUS /prɪˈveɪl/

be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading “Can our wills prevail?”

previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading “The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.

RichmondnounUS /ˈrɪtʃmənd/

capital of the state of Virginia located in the east central part of the state; was capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War

From this reading “The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.

sentencenounUS /ˈsentəns/

a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

Seyffert

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

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading “The eternal problem of man,” said Sir Richmond.

successnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading “I’m for control all the time,” Miss Seyffert injected, following up her previous success.

willsnounUS /wɪlz/

plural of “will” — the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

From this reading “Can our wills prevail?”

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “I admit,” the doctor began his broken sentence again with marked patience, “that the movement of thought is away from haphazard towards control--in things generally.

Chapter 12 of The Secret Places of the Heart by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells holds 232 sentences, grouped into 47 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 12 of The Secret Places of the Heart contain?

Chapter 12 holds 232 sentences of The Secret Places of the Heart, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of The Secret Places of the Heart by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 232 sentences, grouped into 47 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 12 of The Secret Places of the Heart?

Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 47 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 Places of the Heart

Common questions about reading The Secret Places of the Heart by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Secret Places of the Heart?

Yes. All 4621 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1734 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Secret Places of the Heart is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1734, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Secret Places of the Heart take to read?

About 385 minutes of reading across 925 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Secret Places of the Heart section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of The Secret Places of the Heart 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 Places of the Heart

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Secret Places of the Heart, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Expect
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Places of the Heart; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Richmond
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Places of the Heart; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Repeated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Places of the Heart; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Looking
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Places of the Heart; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.