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The Story of Sonny Sahib
The Story of Sonny Sahib

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Story of Sonny Sahib is here in full — 242 sentences across 49 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Story of Sonny Sahib
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.
The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.
Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.
'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, with the deepest possible astonishment.
'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Story of Sonny Sahib

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Story of Sonny Sahib is here in full — 242 sentences across 49 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.
Line 2
The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.
/ðə sʌn wɑːz ɑːn ðə pɔɪnt ʌv ˈraɪzɪŋ ðə er wɑːz krɪsp ənd ðə skaɪ wɑːz ˈsplendɪd/
Line 3
Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.
Line 4
'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, with the deepest possible astonishment.
Line 5
'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.

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.

buttressed adjective US /ˈbʌtrəst/

held up by braces or buttresses

From this reading “Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.”

crisp adjective US /krɪsp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading “The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.”

deepest adjective US /ˈdiːpəst/

superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading “'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, with the deepest possible astonishment.”

floated verb US /ˈfloʊtəd/

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading “Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.”

ribbon noun US /ˈrɪbən/

any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading “Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.”

saluting verb US /səˈluːtɪŋ/

-ing form of “salute” — propose a toast to

From this reading “'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.”

Starr noun US /stɑːr/

rock star and drummer for the Beatles (born in 1940)

From this reading “'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.”

translation noun US /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading “'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.”

All words in this reading · 62

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 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading 'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

astonishmentnounUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt/

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, with the deepest possible astonishment.

blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

buttressedadjectiveUS /ˈbʌtrəst/

held up by braces or buttresses

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

campnounUS /kæmp/

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

ColonelnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

deepestadjectiveUS /ˈdiːpəst/

superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, with the deepest possible astonishment.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

JonesnounUS /dʒoʊnz/

United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)

From this reading 'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.

Lalpore

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

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

Maharajahnoun

a great raja; a Hindu prince or king in India ranking above a raja

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

messagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/

capable of happening or existing

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, with the deepest possible astonishment.

Pris'ner

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

From this reading 'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.

proudadjectiveUS /praʊd/

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/

any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

risingadjectiveUS /ˈraɪzɪŋ/

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

salutingverbUS /səˈluːtɪŋ/

-ing form of “salute” — propose a toast to

From this reading 'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

sirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading 'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.

skynounUS /skaɪ/

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

slopenounUS /sloʊp/

an elevated geological formation

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

southnounUS /saʊθ/

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

splendidadjectiveUS /ˈsplendɪd/

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

StarrnounUS /stɑːr/

rock star and drummer for the Beatles (born in 1940)

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

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

From this reading The sun was on the point of rising, the air was crisp, and the sky was splendid.

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading 'Pris'ner, sir,' answered Thomas Jones, saluting.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

translationnounUS /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

wallnounUS /wɔːl/

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Lalpore, on her buttressed slope, sat as proud and as silent as ever; but something like a blue ribbon floated from the south wall over the river.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

What's

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

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, with the deepest possible astonishment.

writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/

the act of creating written works

From this reading 'What's this?' said Colonel Starr, looking up from his camp table, where he was writing a final message for translation to the Maharajah.

Chapter 9 of The Story of Sonny Sahib by Sara Jeannette Duncan holds 242 sentences, grouped into 49 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 9 of The Story of Sonny Sahib contain?

Chapter 9 holds 242 sentences of The Story of Sonny Sahib, unabridged, divided into 49 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of The Story of Sonny Sahib by Sara Jeannette Duncan exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 242 sentences, grouped into 49 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 9 of The Story of Sonny Sahib?

Work through the 49 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 49 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Story of Sonny Sahib

Common questions about reading The Story of Sonny Sahib by Sara Jeannette Duncan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Story of Sonny Sahib?

Yes. All 874 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4547 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Story of Sonny Sahib is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4547, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Story of Sonny Sahib take to read?

About 72 minutes of reading across 175 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Story of Sonny Sahib section by section

How to work through The Story of Sonny Sahib section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of The Story of Sonny Sahib 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 Story of Sonny Sahib

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Story of Sonny Sahib, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Tooni
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Story of Sonny Sahib; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Abdul
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Story of Sonny Sahib; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Heard
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Story of Sonny Sahib; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Terrible
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Story of Sonny Sahib; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.