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Tom Fairfield at Sea
Tom Fairfield at Sea

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Tom Fairfield at Sea is here in full — 126 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Allen Chapman • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Tom Fairfield at Sea
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.
Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.
“Trouble,” repeated Tom, “or else some one is frightened.
The storm must have developed in a hurry.
I’m going to see what’s up.
0:00 / 0:00
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Tom Fairfield at Sea

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Tom Fairfield at Sea is here in full — 126 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.
Line 2
Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.
/səmˈtaɪmz wʌn ʌv ðə wɔːlz wʊd sɜːrv æz ðə flɔːr ənd əˈɡen æz ðə ˈsiːlɪŋ/
Line 3
“Trouble,” repeated Tom, “or else some one is frightened.
Line 4
The storm must have developed in a hurry.
/ðə stɔːrm mʌst hæv dɪˈveləpt ɪn ə ˈhɜːri/
Line 5
I’m going to see what’s up.

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.

ceiling noun US /ˈsiːlɪŋ/

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading “A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
developed adjective US /dɪˈveləpt/

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading “The storm must have developed in a hurry.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hastily adverb US /ˈheɪstəli/

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading “A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hurry noun US /ˈhɜːri/

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading “The storm must have developed in a hurry.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reflected adjective US /rɪˈflektɪd/

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading “A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
serve verb US /sɜːrv/

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading “Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
somewhere adverb US /ˈsʌmwer/

in or at or to some place

From this reading “A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
uncertain adjective US /ənˈsɜːrtən/

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading “A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

hastily dressed adverb + adjective

In this reading “A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.”

156 times in 426,212 chapters
own part verb + noun

In this reading “A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.”

5,135 times in 426,212 chapters
in a hurry preposition + article + noun counted as “in … hurry”

In this reading “The storm must have developed in a hurry.”

12,384 times in 426,212 chapters
IN THE DARK preposition + article + noun counted as “in … dark”

In this reading “A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.”

32,101 times in 426,212 chapters

All words in this reading · 54

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 A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BLOWverbUS /bloʊ/

exhale hard

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
DARKnounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading The storm must have developed in a hurry.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dressedadjectiveUS /drest/

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
else

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

From this reading “Trouble,” repeated Tom, “or else some one is frightened.

Pending verification
floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
frightenedadjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtənd/

made afraid

From this reading “Trouble,” repeated Tom, “or else some one is frightened.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading I’m going to see what’s up.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hastilyadverbUS /ˈheɪstəli/

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The storm must have developed in a hurry.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hurrynounUS /ˈhɜːri/

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading The storm must have developed in a hurry.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
I'm

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

From this reading I’m going to see what’s up.

Pending verification
INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Trouble,” repeated Tom, “or else some one is frightened.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The storm must have developed in a hurry.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reflectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪd/

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
repeatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈpiːtɪd/

recurring again and again

From this reading “Trouble,” repeated Tom, “or else some one is frightened.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I’m going to see what’s up.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
serveverbUS /sɜːrv/

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading “Trouble,” repeated Tom, “or else some one is frightened.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
somewhereadverbUS /ˈsʌmwer/

in or at or to some place

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stateroomnoun

a guest cabin

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading The storm must have developed in a hurry.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TroublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I’m going to see what’s up.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
what's

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

From this reading I’m going to see what’s up.

Pending verification
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading A BLOW IN THE DARK “Trouble somewhere,” reflected Tom, as he hastily dressed as best he could in that small stateroom, which seemed uncertain on its own part as to what was the floor or ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Sometimes one of the walls would serve as the floor, and again as the ceiling.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 8 of Tom Fairfield at Sea by Allen Chapman holds 126 sentences, grouped into 26 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 8 of Tom Fairfield at Sea contain?

Chapter 8 holds 126 sentences of Tom Fairfield at Sea, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Tom Fairfield at Sea by Allen Chapman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 126 sentences, grouped into 26 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 Tom Fairfield at Sea?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 Tom Fairfield at Sea

Common questions about reading Tom Fairfield at Sea by Allen Chapman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tom Fairfield at Sea?

Yes. All 3269 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #44013 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tom Fairfield at Sea is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #44013, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tom Fairfield at Sea take to read?

About 272 minutes of reading across 654 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tom Fairfield at Sea section by section

How to work through Tom Fairfield at Sea section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  2. Read one section

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  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in Tom Fairfield at Sea

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tom Fairfield at Sea, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Wreck
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Fairfield at Sea; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Silver
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Fairfield at Sea; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Fairfield at Sea; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fairfield
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Fairfield at Sea; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.