Chapter 9 of The Wishing Well is here in full — 404 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter IX
Chapter 9 of The Wishing Well is here in full — 404 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
"It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted." "Tell me what you have in mind." "It's like this, Rhoda! If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!" "Strong arm methods?"
Chapter 9 of The Wishing Well is here in full — 404 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
From this reading “If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"”
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading “"It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."”
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading “If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"”
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading “If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"”
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading “"It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."”
cause to arise
From this reading “If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"”
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading “"Strong arm methods?"”
a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes
From this reading “"It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."”
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.
In this reading “"Strong arm methods?"”
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.
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading "Strong arm methods?"
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Tell me what you have in mind."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Tell me what you have in mind."
cause to arise
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's like this, Rhoda!
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "It's like this, Rhoda!
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Tell me what you have in mind."
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading "Strong arm methods?"
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "Tell me what you have in mind."
a form of address for a man
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's like this, Rhoda!
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading "Strong arm methods?"
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
express in words
From this reading "Tell me what you have in mind."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "It's like this, Rhoda!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Tell me what you have in mind."
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."
Chapter 9 of The Wishing Well by Mildred A. (Mildred Augustine) Wirt holds 404 sentences, grouped into 81 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.
Chapter 9 holds 404 sentences of The Wishing Well, unabridged, divided into 81 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 9 of The Wishing Well by Mildred A. (Mildred Augustine) Wirt exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 404 sentences, grouped into 81 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.
Work through the 81 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 81 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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.
Common questions about reading The Wishing Well by Mildred A. (Mildred Augustine) Wirt on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 3661 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #34689 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #34689, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 305 minutes of reading across 733 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Wishing Well section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 9 chapters of The Wishing Well to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The Wishing Well, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
