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The White People
The White People

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The White People is here in full — 103 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.
When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.
Nothing is an accident.
We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.
I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The White People

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The White People is here in full — 103 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.
/wʌt aɪ fiːl ʃʊr aɪ noʊ baɪ ðɪs taɪm ɪz ðæt ɔːl ðə θɪŋz wiː θɪŋk ˈhæpən baɪ tʃæns ənd ˈæksədənt ɑːr ˈoʊnli pɑːrt ʌv ðə ˈwiːvɪŋ ʌv ðə skiːm ʌv laɪf/
Line 2
When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.
Line 3
Nothing is an accident.
/ˈnʌθɪŋ ɪz æn ˈæksədənt/
Line 4
We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.
/wiː meɪk ˈevriθɪŋ ˈhæpən aʊərˈselvz ðə rɔːŋ θɪŋz bɪˈkɔːz wiː duː nɑːt noʊ ɔːr ker ˈweðər wiː ɑːr rɔːŋ ɔːr raɪt ðə raɪt wʌnz bɪˈkɔːz wiː ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli ɔːr ˈkɑːnʃəsli tʃuːz ðə raɪt ˈiːvɪn ɪn ðə mɪdst ʌv ˈaʊər ˈɪɡnərəns/
Line 5
I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

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.

audacious adjective US /ɑːˈdeɪʃəs/

invulnerable to fear or intimidation

From this reading “I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.”

connect verb US /kəˈnekt/

connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces

From this reading “When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.”

consciously adverb US /ˈkɑːnʃəsli/

with awareness

From this reading “We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.”

scheme noun US /skiːm/

an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading “What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.”

suspect verb US /səˈspekt/

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading “When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.”

trifles noun US /ˈtraɪfəlz/

plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading “When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.”

unconsciously adverb US /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/

without awareness

From this reading “We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.”

weaving noun US /ˈwiːvɪŋ/

creating fabric

From this reading “What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

accidentnounUS /ˈæksədənt/

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Nothing is an accident.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

audaciousadjectiveUS /ɑːˈdeɪʃəs/

invulnerable to fear or intimidation

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

badadjectiveUS /bæd/

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

carenounUS /ker/

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

chancenounUS /tʃæns/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

chooseverbUS /tʃuːz/

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

clearlyadverbUS /ˈklɪrli/

without doubt or question

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

cleveradjectiveUS /ˈklevər/

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

closelyadverbUS /ˈkloʊsli/

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

connectverbUS /kəˈnekt/

connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

consciouslyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnʃəsli/

with awareness

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

dareverbUS /der/

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

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

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

every-day

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

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/

a young female

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

happenverbUS /ˈhæpən/

come to pass

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

how

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

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

ignorancenounUS /ˈɪɡnərəns/

the lack of knowledge or education

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

lednounUS /led/

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

meaningnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋ/

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

midstnounUS /mɪdst/

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing is an accident.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

onesnounUS /wʌnz/

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/

a judge of a probate court

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

schemenounUS /skiːm/

an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

soundsnounUS /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

spitenounUS /spaɪt/

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

suspectverbUS /səˈspekt/

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

triflesnounUS /ˈtraɪfəlz/

plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/

without awareness

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/

look attentively

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

weavingnounUS /ˈwiːvɪŋ/

creating fabric

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What I feel sure I know by this time is that all the things we think happen by chance and accident are only part of the weaving of the scheme of life.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading I dare say it sounds audacious for an ordinary girl to say such things in an ordinary way; but perhaps I have said them in spite of myself, because it is not a bad thing that they should be said by an every-day sort of person in simple words which other every-day people can understand.

wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading We make everything happen ourselves: the wrong things because we do not know or care whether we are wrong or right, the right ones because we unconsciously or consciously choose the right even in the midst of our ignorance.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading When you begin to suspect this and to watch closely you also begin to see how trifles connect themselves with one another, and seem in the end to have led to a reason and a meaning, though we may not be clever enough to see it clearly.

Chapter 8 of The White People by Frances Hodgson Burnett holds 103 sentences, grouped into 21 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 8 of The White People contain?

Chapter 8 holds 103 sentences of The White People, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of The White People by Frances Hodgson Burnett exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 103 sentences, grouped into 21 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 8 of The White People?

Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 21 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 People

Common questions about reading The White People by Frances Hodgson Burnett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The White People?

Yes. All 1402 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #459 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The White People is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #459, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The White People take to read?

About 116 minutes of reading across 281 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The White People section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of The White People 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 White People

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

Perhaps
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White People; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Things
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White People; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Happened
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White People; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Never
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White People; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.