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The wisdom of Father Brown
The wisdom of Father Brown

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The wisdom of Father Brown is here in full — 159 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The wisdom of Father Brown
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.
Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.
He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:
No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”
Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: What do you mean?”
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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.

The wisdom of Father Brown

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The wisdom of Father Brown is here in full — 159 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.
Line 2
Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.
Line 3
He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:
Line 4
No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”
Line 5
Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

All words in this reading · 69

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 He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

across

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

and

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

answered

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

Are

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

asked

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

at

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

been

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

bring

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

Brown

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

but

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

by

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

captive

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

carefully

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

carpet

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

do

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

Dr

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

dully

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

even

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

face

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

Father

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

friends

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

girl

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

going

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

had

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

half-turning

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

handcuffs

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

hat

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

He

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

him

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

his

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

Hood

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

I

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

intently

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

lifted

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

little

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

looking

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

mean

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

moving

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

No

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

off

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

on

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

only

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

police

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

replaced

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

ropes

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

round

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

said

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

shoulders

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

side

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

silk

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

stubbornly

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

studied

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

From this reading He studied him intently, even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders, but he only answered:

table

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

take

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

the

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

these

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

think

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

those

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

till

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

to

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

very

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

well

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

went

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

From this reading Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table, and went across to the captive.

What

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

who

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

From this reading Father Brown, who had been looking dully at the carpet, lifted his round face and said: “What do you mean?”

will

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

you

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

From this reading “Are you going to take those ropes off?” asked the girl stubbornly.

your

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

From this reading “No; I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs.”

Chapter 2 of The wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton holds 159 sentences, grouped into 32 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 wisdom of Father Brown contain?

Chapter 2 holds 159 sentences of The wisdom of Father Brown, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 159 sentences, grouped into 32 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 wisdom of Father Brown?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 wisdom of Father Brown

Common questions about reading The wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The wisdom of Father Brown?

Yes. All 3580 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #223 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The wisdom of Father Brown is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #223, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The wisdom of Father Brown take to read?

About 298 minutes of reading across 716 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The wisdom of Father Brown section by section

How to work through The wisdom of Father Brown section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of The wisdom of Father Brown 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 wisdom of Father Brown

Words and structures a reader meets early in The wisdom of Father Brown, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Absence
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The wisdom of Father Brown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Glass
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The wisdom of Father Brown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Paradise
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The wisdom of Father Brown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Thieves
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The wisdom of Father Brown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.