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The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 is here in full — 158 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.
To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.
The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.
The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.
Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 is here in full — 158 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
"IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.
Line 2
To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.
Line 3
The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.
/ðə haʊs maɪt kənˈteɪn əˈpɑːn ə pɪntʃ ðə ˈretənuː ʌv ə ˈɡreɪtər ˈpɜːrsən ðæn sɜːr ˈdænjəl bʌt ˈiːvɪn naʊ ɪt wɑːz fɪld wɪð ˈhʌbəb/
Line 4
The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.
Line 5
Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

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.

commodious adjective US /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

large and roomy (“convenient” is archaic in this sense)

From this reading “"IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.”

Daniel's noun US /ˈdænjəlz/

possessive form of “daniel” — (Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)

From this reading “"IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.”

eclipsed verb US /ɪˈklɪpst/

past form of “eclipse” — be greater in significance than

From this reading “Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.”

hubbub noun US /ˈhʌbəb/

loud confused noise from many sources

From this reading “The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.”

minstrels noun US /ˈmɪnstrəlz/

plural of “minstrel” — a singer of folk songs

From this reading “The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.”

plastered adjective US /ˈplæstərd/

(of hair) made smooth by applying a sticky or glossy substance

From this reading “"IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.”

thatch noun US /θætʃ/

hair resembling thatched roofing material

From this reading “"IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.”

tumblers noun US /ˈtʌmblərz/

plural of “tumbler” — a gymnast who performs rolls and somersaults and twists etc.

From this reading “The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

abbey church noun + noun

In this reading “To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.”

from the hall preposition + article + noun counted as “from … hall”

In this reading “The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.”

rang with verb + particle counted as “ring with”

In this reading “The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

abbeynounUS /ˈæbi/

a church associated with a monastery or convent

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

alleysnounUS /ˈæliz/

plural of “alley” — a narrow street with walls on both sides

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

arbours

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

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

beesnounUS /biːz/

plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

carvenadjective

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

commodiousadjectiveUS /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

large and roomy (“convenient” is archaic in this sense)

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

containverbUS /kənˈteɪn/

include or contain; have as a component

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

cookerynoun

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

courtnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

criesnounUS /kraɪz/

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

DanielnounUS /ˈdænjəl/

(Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

Daniel'snounUS /ˈdænjəlz/

possessive form of “daniel” — (Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

eclipsedverbUS /ɪˈklɪpst/

past form of “eclipse” — be greater in significance than

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

ENEMIESnounUS /ˈenəmiz/

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/

the act of forming or establishing something

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

framedadjectiveUS /freɪmd/

provided with a frame

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

fruit-trees

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

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

gaietynoun

a gay feeling

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

gallantrynounUS /ˈɡæləntri/

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

hivenounUS /haɪv/

a teeming multitude

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

horse-shoe

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

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

HOUSEnounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

hubbubnounUS /ˈhʌbəb/

loud confused noise from many sources

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/

plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

ironnounUS /ˈaɪərn/

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

LordnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

low-pitchedadjective

used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

MINEpronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

minstrelsnounUS /ˈmɪnstrəlz/

plural of “minstrel” — a singer of folk songs

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

oaknounUS /oʊk/

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

over-looked

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

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

pinchverbUS /pɪntʃ/

squeeze tightly between the fingers

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

plasteredadjectiveUS /ˈplæstərd/

(of hair) made smooth by applying a sticky or glossy substance

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

playersnounUS /ˈpleɪərz/

plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

profusionnounUS /prəˈfjuːʒən/

the property of being extremely abundant

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

rangverbUS /ræŋ/

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

retinuenounUS /ˈretənuː/

the group following and attending to some important person

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

Risingham

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

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

rivalled

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

From this reading Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/

past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

roofnounUS /ruːf/

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

Shoreby

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

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

soundedverbUS /ˈsaʊndɪd/

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

stretchedadjectiveUS /stretʃt/

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

thatchnounUS /θætʃ/

hair resembling thatched roofing material

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

towernounUS /ˈtaʊər/

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees, alleys, and thick arbours, and over-looked from the far end by the tower of the abbey church.

tumblersnounUS /ˈtʌmblərz/

plural of “tumbler” — a gymnast who performs rolls and somersaults and twists etc.

From this reading The court rang with arms and horse-shoe iron; the kitchen roared with cookery like a bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of tumblers, sounded from the hall.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE" Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of thatch.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub.

Chapter 21 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 158 sentences, grouped into 32 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 21 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 contain?

Chapter 21 holds 158 sentences of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 21 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 158 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 21 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08?

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 21 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 21 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 Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08

Common questions about reading The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08?

Yes. All 4877 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #31484 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #31484, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 take to read?

About 406 minutes of reading across 976 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 section by section

How to work through The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 33 chapters of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08 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 Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Swanston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Twenty-five
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Volumes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 08; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.