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

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of The Way of the Strong is here in full — 336 sentences across 68 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Ridgwell Cullum • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Way of the Strong
Context Illustration Reading 1/67 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.
That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.
But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.
He had neither exaggerated nor invented.
Perhaps he had felt that there was no need for either.
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 Way of the Strong

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of The Way of the Strong is here in full — 336 sentences across 68 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/67 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.
/ˈprɑːɡres ʌv əˈferz ˈæŋɡəs mərˈeɪn hæd dʌn hɪz wɜːrk/
Line 2
That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.
Line 3
But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.
Line 4
He had neither exaggerated nor invented.
/hiː hæd ˈniːðər ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪtəd nɔːr ˌɪnˈventəd/
Line 5
Perhaps he had felt that there was no need for either.
/pərˈhæps hiː hæd felt ðæt ðer wɑːz noʊ niːd fɔːr ˈiːðər/

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.

Angus noun US /ˈæŋɡəs/

Celtic god of love and beauty; patron deity of young men and women

From this reading “PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
employer noun US /emˈplɔɪər/

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading “That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enlightening adjective US /ˌenˈlaɪtənɪŋ/

tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance

From this reading “That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
exaggerated adjective US /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪtəd/

represented as greater than is true or reasonable

From this reading “He had neither exaggerated nor invented.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
invented verb US /ˌɪnˈventəd/

past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading “He had neither exaggerated nor invented.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
largely adverb US /ˈlɑːrdʒli/

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading “That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Moraine noun US /mərˈeɪn/

accumulated earth and stones deposited by a glacier

From this reading “PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
motive noun US /ˈmoʊtɪv/

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading “That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

went on verb + particle counted as “go on”

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

In this reading “That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.”

241,940 times in 426,212 chapters

All words in this reading · 49

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.

absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/

the state of being absent

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AFFAIRSnounUS /əˈferz/

matters of personal concern

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AngusnounUS /ˈæŋɡəs/

Celtic god of love and beauty; patron deity of young men and women

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
baldest

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

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

Pending verification
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doubtnounUS /daʊt/

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading Perhaps he had felt that there was no need for either.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enlighteningadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənɪŋ/

tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
exaggeratedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪtəd/

represented as greater than is true or reasonable

From this reading He had neither exaggerated nor invented.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
feltverbUS /felt/

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Perhaps he had felt that there was no need for either.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Perhaps he had felt that there was no need for either.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inventedverbUS /ˌɪnˈventəd/

past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading He had neither exaggerated nor invented.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
keptadjectiveUS /kept/

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
largelyadverbUS /ˈlɑːrdʒli/

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MorainenounUS /mərˈeɪn/

accumulated earth and stones deposited by a glacier

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Perhaps he had felt that there was no need for either.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading He had neither exaggerated nor invented.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He had neither exaggerated nor invented.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
PerhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Perhaps he had felt that there was no need for either.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PROGRESSnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
revengefuladjective

disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
spleenful

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

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Pending verification
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
truthnounUS /truːθ/

a fact that has been verified

From this reading But, curiously enough, he had kept to the baldest truth.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS Angus Moraine had done his work.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 20 of The Way of the Strong by Ridgwell Cullum holds 336 sentences, grouped into 68 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 20 of The Way of the Strong contain?

Chapter 20 holds 336 sentences of The Way of the Strong, unabridged, divided into 68 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of The Way of the Strong by Ridgwell Cullum exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 336 sentences, grouped into 68 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 20 of The Way of the Strong?

Work through the 68 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 68 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Way of the Strong

Common questions about reading The Way of the Strong by Ridgwell Cullum on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Way of the Strong?

Yes. All 13505 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #35776 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Way of the Strong is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #35776, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Way of the Strong take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2701 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Way of the Strong section by section

How to work through The Way of the Strong section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Way of the Strong 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 Way of the Strong

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Way of the Strong, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Way of the Strong; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Twins
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Way of the Strong; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Suffering
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Way of the Strong; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Creek
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Way of the Strong; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.