Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Soldier Boy
The Soldier Boy

Chapter XXVI

Cover illustration for The Soldier Boy
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CONFEDERATE DESERTER.
While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.
The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.
Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.
The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Soldier Boy

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CONFEDERATE DESERTER.
Line 2
While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.
Line 3
The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.
Line 4
Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.
Line 5
The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.”

Pleased noun US /ˈpleased/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.”

All words in this reading · 85

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

accompanied

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

actually

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

all

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

announcement

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

back

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

boy

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

brother

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

comforts

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

conduct

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

CONFEDERATE

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE DESERTER.

consent

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

contained

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

darling

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

DESERTER

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE DESERTER.

element

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

entered

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

event

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

favorable

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

gallant

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

gossip

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

gratifying

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

home

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

hospital

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

important

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

informing

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

Intelligence

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

Jack

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

John

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

kinds

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

letter

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

letters

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

luxuries

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

made

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

mother's

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

navy

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

news

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

now

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

papers

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

Pinchbrook

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

place

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

reached

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

realized

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

receipt

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

received

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

regard

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

sensation

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

sergeant

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

sister

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

soldier

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE DESERTER.

there

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

three

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

Tom

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

two

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

various

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

weeks

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

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The letters which reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.

wish

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

From this reading The news from home was so favorable, that the soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, and that he was now in his element.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and with his mother's consent.