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The White Company

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The White Company is here in full — 154 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Arthur Conan Doyle • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The White Company

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

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 I Reading 1/30

The White Company

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The White Company is here in full — 154 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

Line 2

Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

Line 3

Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

Line 4

It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

Line 5

Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

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.

a

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

air

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

already

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

and

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

angelus

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

as

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

at

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

away

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

be

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

Beaulieu

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

From this reading The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

bell

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

From this reading The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

bittern

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

Blackdown

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

booming

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

chatter

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

clangor

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

common

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

distant

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

each

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

Exe

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

falling

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

Far

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

fishers

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

for

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

forest

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

gone

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

great

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

From this reading The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

had

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

heads

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

heard

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

in

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

It

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

its

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

jays

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

looked

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

might

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

musical

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

of

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

From this reading The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

off

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

on

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

other

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

parts

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

peasants

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

Peat-cutters

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

questions

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

raised

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

ringing

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

From this reading The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

rising

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

sound

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

still

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

sultry

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

summer

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

swell

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

The

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

From this reading The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

their

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

those

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

From this reading It was a common sound in those parts--as common as the chatter of the jays and the booming of the bittern.

throbbing

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

through

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

From this reading Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.

upon

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

From this reading Peat-cutters on Blackdown and fishers upon the Exe heard the distant throbbing rising and falling upon the sultry summer air.

vespers

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

was

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

From this reading The great bell of Beaulieu was ringing.

Yet

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

From this reading Yet the fishers and the peasants raised their heads and looked questions at each other, for the angelus had already gone and vespers was still far off.

Chapter 1 of The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle holds 154 sentences, grouped into 31 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 1 of The White Company contain?

Chapter 1 holds 154 sentences of The White Company, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 154 sentences, grouped into 31 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 1 of The White Company?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 White Company

Common questions about reading The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The White Company?

Yes. All 7135 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #903 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The White Company is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #903, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The White Company take to read?

About 594 minutes of reading across 1427 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The White Company section by section

How to work through The White Company section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 38 chapters of The White Company to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The White Company

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

Great: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White Company; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beaulieu: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White Company; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ringing: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White Company; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Through: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White Company; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.