The Stars Incline

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of The Stars Incline is here in full — 145 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Jeanne Judson • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Stars Incline

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

It was easy to slip away alone.

Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XIV Reading 1/29

The Stars Incline

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of The Stars Incline is here in full — 145 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

It was easy to slip away alone.

/ɪt wɑːz ˈiːzi tuː slɪp əˈweɪ əˈloʊn/

Line 2

Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

Line 3

She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

/ʃiː faʊnd ðə enˈkloʊzd vərˈændə ə ˈsliːpɪŋ pɔːrtʃ əˈbʌv ðə sʌn ruːm/

Line 4

She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

Line 5

He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

/hiː wɑːz ðer ˈweɪtɪŋ fɔːr hɜːr ɪn hɪz wiːl tʃer/

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.

cloak noun US /kloʊk/

anything that covers or conceals

From this reading “She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.”

doorway noun US /ˈdɔːrweɪ/

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading “She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.”

enclosed adjective US /enˈkloʊzd/

closed in or surrounded or included within

From this reading “She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.”

porch noun US /pɔːrtʃ/

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading “She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.”

sleeping noun US /ˈsliːpɪŋ/

the state of being asleep

From this reading “She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.”

slip verb US /slɪp/

move stealthily

From this reading “It was easy to slip away alone.”

veranda noun US /vərˈændə/

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading “She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.”

wheel verb US /wiːl/

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading “He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

narrow doorway verb + noun

In this reading “She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.”

slip away verb + particle

leave furtively and stealthily

In this reading “It was easy to slip away alone.”

passed unobserved verb + adjective counted as “pass unobserved”

In this reading “She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.”

heavy cloak adjective + noun

In this reading “She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.”

wheel chair verb + noun

In this reading “He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.”

own room verb + noun

In this reading “Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.”

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading It was easy to slip away alone.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

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

From this reading It was easy to slip away alone.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

chairnounUS /tʃer/

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

cloaknounUS /kloʊk/

anything that covers or conceals

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It was easy to slip away alone.

enclosedadjectiveUS /enˈkloʊzd/

closed in or surrounded or included within

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

Gloria

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

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was easy to slip away alone.

knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

passedverbUS /pæst/

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

Pendragonnoun

the supreme war chief of the ancient Britons

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

ProfessornounUS /prəˈfesər/

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

RuthnounUS /ruːθ/

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

shouldersnounUS /ˈʃoʊldərz/

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

sleepingnounUS /ˈsliːpɪŋ/

the state of being asleep

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

slipverbUS /slɪp/

move stealthily

From this reading It was easy to slip away alone.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

talkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

threwverbUS /θruː/

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was easy to slip away alone.

unobservedadjective

not seen or observed

From this reading She threw a heavy cloak about her shoulders and passed unobserved down the hall and through the narrow doorway leading outside.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

verandanounUS /vərˈændə/

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading She found the enclosed veranda, a sleeping porch above the sun room.

waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was easy to slip away alone.

wheelverbUS /wiːl/

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading He was there, waiting for her in his wheel chair.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ruth knew that Gloria, who had gone to her own room, expected to be followed, but she did not want to talk alone with Gloria until she had seen Professor Pendragon.

Chapter 14 of The Stars Incline by Jeanne Judson holds 145 sentences, grouped into 29 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 14 of The Stars Incline contain?

Chapter 14 holds 145 sentences of The Stars Incline, unabridged, divided into 29 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 14 of The Stars Incline by Jeanne Judson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 145 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 14 of The Stars Incline?

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 14 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 14 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 Stars Incline

Common questions about reading The Stars Incline by Jeanne Judson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Stars Incline?

Yes. All 3959 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #60413 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Stars Incline is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #60413, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Stars Incline take to read?

About 329 minutes of reading across 792 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Stars Incline

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

Nineteen: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Stars Incline; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
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Chapter XIV

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