Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories
The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.
I am tired of living alone.”
Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?
Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”
And Ole began looking anxiously for his feet.
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 Troll Garden, and Selected Stories

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.
Line 2
I am tired of living alone.”
Line 3
Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?
Line 4
Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”
Line 5
And Ole began looking anxiously for his feet.

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.

Alone adjective US /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading “I am tired of living alone.””

All words in this reading · 53

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.

a

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

against

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

alcohol

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading I am tired of living alone.”

am

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

From this reading I am tired of living alone.”

and

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

anxiously

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

From this reading And Ole began looking anxiously for his feet.

bedstead

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

began

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

From this reading And Ole began looking anxiously for his feet.

braced

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

daughter

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

Do

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

drinks

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

drunkard

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

eloquently

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

feet

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

From this reading And Ole began looking anxiously for his feet.

for

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

From this reading Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”

Get

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

From this reading Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”

his

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

house

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

From this reading Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”

I

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

From this reading “Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.

impudence

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

From this reading Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”

kick

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

From this reading Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”

knees

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

living

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

From this reading I am tired of living alone.”

looking

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

From this reading And Ole began looking anxiously for his feet.

man

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

marry

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

my

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

not

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

From this reading “Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.

of

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

From this reading I am tired of living alone.”

Ole

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

or

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

From this reading Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”

out

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

From this reading Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”

rattle

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

raw

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

sleeps

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

snakes

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

staggering

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

stammered

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

the

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

think

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

tired

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

From this reading I am tired of living alone.”

to

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

tomorrow

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

From this reading “Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.

until

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

From this reading “Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.

wait

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

From this reading “Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.

who

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

will

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

From this reading “Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.

with

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

Yes

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

From this reading “Yes, I will not wait until tomorrow.

you

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

From this reading Ole braced his staggering knees against the bedstead, and stammered eloquently: “Do you think I will marry my daughter to a drunkard? a man who drinks raw alcohol? a man who sleeps with rattle snakes?

your

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

From this reading Get out of my house or I will kick you out for your impudence.”

Chapter 2 of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories by Willa Cather holds 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 2 of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories contain?

Chapter 2 holds 169 sentences of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories by Willa Cather exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 2 of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Troll Garden, and Selected Stories

Common questions about reading The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories by Willa Cather on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories?

Yes. All 4581 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #346 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #346, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories take to read?

About 381 minutes of reading across 917 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories section by section

How to work through The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories 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 Troll Garden, and Selected Stories

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Divide
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hermannson's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Enchanted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bluff
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.