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The Sign at Six
The Sign at Six

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of The Sign at Six is here in full — 175 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Sign at Six
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.
Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.
The latter came about three o'clock:
"TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.
There is no good in you.
0:00 / 0:00
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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 Sign at Six

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of The Sign at Six is here in full — 175 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.
/ɪn ðə feɪs ʌv ɪˈtɜːrnəti hel pɑːpt dʒʌst æz suːn æz ðə ˈnuːzpeɪpərz kʊd ɡet aʊt ðer ˈekstrəz/
Line 2
Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.
/məˈsjɜːr eks hæd æt læst strʌk ənd boʊθ ˈɪntrəst ənd bɪˈliːf ɜːrdʒd ðə ˈmænədʒɪŋ ˈedɪtərz æt læst tuː ɡɪv pəˈblɪsəti tuː ɔːl ðə ˈθɪriz ðə fækts ənd ðə ˈleɪtəst ˈmesədʒ frʌm ðə fəˈnætɪk ənˈnoʊn/
Line 3
The latter came about three o'clock:
/ðə ˈlætər keɪm əˈbaʊt θriː əˈklɑːk/
Line 4
"TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.
/tuː ðə ˈpiːpəl juː hæv dɪˈfaɪd miː ənd juː hæv ˈdaʊtɪd maɪ ˈpaʊər/
Line 5
There is no good in you.
/ðer ɪz noʊ ɡʊd ɪn 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.

defied verb US /dɪˈfaɪd/

inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance

From this reading “"TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.”

editors noun US /ˈedɪtərz/

plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading “Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.”

extras noun US /ˈekstrəz/

plural of “extra” — a minor actor in crowd scenes

From this reading “IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.”

fanatic noun US /fəˈnætɪk/

a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)

From this reading “Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.”

managing verb US /ˈmænədʒɪŋ/

-ing form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading “Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.”

popped verb US /pɑːpt/

inflected form of “pop” — bulge outward

From this reading “IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.”

publicity noun US /pəˈblɪsəti/

a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution

From this reading “Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.”

theories noun US /ˈθɪriz/

plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading “Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.”

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.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The latter came about three o'clock:

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 Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

beliefnounUS /bɪˈliːf/

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The latter came about three o'clock:

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/

inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance

From this reading "TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.

doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/

past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about

From this reading "TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.

editorsnounUS /ˈedɪtərz/

plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

ETERNITYnounUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəti/

time without end

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

extrasnounUS /ˈekstrəz/

plural of “extra” — a minor actor in crowd scenes

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

FACEnounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

factsnounUS /fækts/

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

fanaticnounUS /fəˈnætɪk/

a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading There is no good in you.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.

HellnounUS /hel/

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading There is no good in you.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/

up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The latter came about three o'clock:

managingverbUS /ˈmænədʒɪŋ/

-ing form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.

messagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

MonsieurnounUS /məˈsjɜːr/

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.

newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/

plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There is no good in you.

o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/

according to the clock

From this reading The latter came about three o'clock:

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

PEOPLEnounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.

poppedverbUS /pɑːpt/

inflected form of “pop” — bulge outward

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading "TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.

publicitynounUS /pəˈblɪsəti/

a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading IN THE FACE OF ETERNITY Hell popped just as soon as the newspapers could get out their extras.

theoriesnounUS /ˈθɪriz/

plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is no good in you.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The latter came about three o'clock:

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

UnknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/

not known

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

urgedverbUS /ɜːrdʒd/

past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

XnounUS /eks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Monsieur X had at last struck, and both interest and belief urged the managing editors at last to give publicity to all the theories, the facts, and the latest message from the fanatic Unknown.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "TO THE PEOPLE: You have defied me, and you have doubted my power.

Chapter 20 of The Sign at Six by Stewart Edward White holds 175 sentences, grouped into 35 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 20 of The Sign at Six contain?

Chapter 20 holds 175 sentences of The Sign at Six, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of The Sign at Six by Stewart Edward White exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 175 sentences, grouped into 35 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 20 of The Sign at Six?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 Sign at Six

Common questions about reading The Sign at Six by Stewart Edward White on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Sign at Six?

Yes. All 2861 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #8398 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Sign at Six is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #8398, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Sign at Six take to read?

About 238 minutes of reading across 573 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Sign at Six section by section

How to work through The Sign at Six section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of The Sign at Six 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 Sign at Six

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Sign at Six, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Darrow
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sign at Six; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Walked
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sign at Six; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Flight
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sign at Six; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Steps
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sign at Six; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.