Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
What's Mine's Mine — Complete
What's Mine's Mine — Complete

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of What's Mine's Mine — Complete is here in full — 142 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for What's Mine's Mine — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CLAN CHRISTMAS.
By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.
Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.
What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.
Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

What's Mine's Mine — Complete

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of What's Mine's Mine — Complete is here in full — 142 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CLAN CHRISTMAS.
/ðə klæn ˈkrɪsməs/
Line 2
By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.
/baɪ sloʊ dɪˈɡriːz wɪð ˈɪnfənət ˈsʌbdɪvɪʒənz ənd əˈperənt rɪˈvɜːrsəlz ʌv tʃeɪndʒ ðə ˈɔːtəm hæd pæst ˈɪntuː ˈwɪntər ˌɪnˈdiːd/
Line 3
Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.
Line 4
What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.
/wʌt ɪz luːst ɑːn ɜːrθ ɪz luːst fɜːrst ɪn ˈhevən wiː hæv ˈɔːfən ʃerd ʌv ˈhevən wen wiː θɔːt ɪt bʌt ə ˈsɔːfənɪŋ ʌv ɜːrθs ˈhɑːrdnəs/
Line 5
Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.
/ˈevəri rɪˈliːf ɪz ə ˈprɑːməs ə pledʒ æz wel æz ə ˈpæsɪŋ miːl/

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.

clan noun US /klæn/

group of people related by blood or marriage

From this reading “THE CLAN CHRISTMAS.”

earth's noun US /ɜːrθs/

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading “What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.”

hardness noun US /ˈhɑːrdnəs/

the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale

From this reading “What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.”

manifestations noun US /ˌmænəfeˈsteɪʃənz/

plural of “manifestation” — a clear appearance

From this reading “Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.”

reversals noun US /rɪˈvɜːrsəlz/

plural of “reversal” — a change from one state to the opposite state

From this reading “By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.”

softening noun US /ˈsɔːfənɪŋ/

the process of becoming softer

From this reading “What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.”

subdivisions noun US /ˈsʌbdɪvɪʒənz/

plural of “subdivision” — an area composed of subdivided lots

From this reading “By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.”

weathers noun US /ˈweðərz/

plural of “weather” — the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading “Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.”

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 What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

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

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

apparentadjectiveUS /əˈperənt/

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

autumnnounUS /ˈɔːtəm/

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

CHRISTMASnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading THE CLAN CHRISTMAS.

CLANnounUS /klæn/

group of people related by blood or marriage

From this reading THE CLAN CHRISTMAS.

CloudverbUS /klaʊd/

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

dreariest

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

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.

evilnounUS /ˈiːvəl/

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

gleamsnounUS /ɡliːmz/

plural of “gleam” — an appearance of reflected light

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/

plural of “glimpse” — a quick look

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

hardnessnounUS /ˈhɑːrdnəs/

the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

heavennounUS /ˈhevən/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

heavenlyadjectiveUS /ˈhevənli/

relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/

having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

lestconjunctionUS /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

livesnounUS /lɪvz/

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

loosedverbUS /luːst/

past form of “loose” — grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

manifestationsnounUS /ˌmænəfeˈsteɪʃənz/

plural of “manifestation” — a clear appearance

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

mealnounUS /miːl/

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.

mirenounUS /maɪr/

a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

mistverbUS /mɪst/

become covered with mist

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

partedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːrtɪd/

having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

passedverbUS /pæst/

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.

pledgeverbUS /pledʒ/

promise solemnly and formally

From this reading Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.

promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/

make a promise or commitment

From this reading Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.

rainnounUS /reɪn/

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.

reversalsnounUS /rɪˈvɜːrsəlz/

plural of “reversal” — a change from one state to the opposite state

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/

have in common; held or experienced in common

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

softeningnounUS /ˈsɔːfənɪŋ/

the process of becoming softer

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

subdivisionsnounUS /ˈsʌbdɪvɪʒənz/

plural of “subdivision” — an area composed of subdivided lots

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CLAN CHRISTMAS.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

universenounUS /ˈjuːnəvɜːrs/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

weathersnounUS /ˈweðərz/

plural of “weather” — the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Every relief is a promise, a pledge as well as a passing meal.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading What is loosed on earth is loosed first in heaven: we have often shared of heaven, when we thought it but a softening of earth's hardness.

winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

wintersnounUS /ˈwɪntərz/

plural of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Cloud above, mire below, mist and rain all between, made up many days; only, like the dreariest life, they were broken through and parted, lest they should seem the universe itself, by such heavenly manifestations, such gleams and glimpses of better, as come into all lives, all winters, all evil weathers.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading By slow degrees, with infinite subdivisions and apparent reversals of change, the autumn had passed into winter indeed.

Chapter 12 of What's Mine's Mine — Complete by George MacDonald holds 142 sentences, grouped into 29 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 12 of What's Mine's Mine — Complete contain?

Chapter 12 holds 142 sentences of What's Mine's Mine — Complete, unabridged, divided into 29 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of What's Mine's Mine — Complete by George MacDonald exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 142 sentences, grouped into 29 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 12 of What's Mine's Mine — Complete?

Work through the 29 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 29 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 What's Mine's Mine — Complete

Common questions about reading What's Mine's Mine — Complete by George MacDonald on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of What's Mine's Mine — Complete?

Yes. All 8397 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5969 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of What's Mine's Mine — Complete is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5969, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does What's Mine's Mine — Complete take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1680 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read What's Mine's Mine — Complete section by section

How to work through What's Mine's Mine — Complete section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of What's Mine's Mine — Complete 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 What's Mine's Mine — Complete

Words and structures a reader meets early in What's Mine's Mine — Complete, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Handsomely
A word that appears in the opening chapter of What's Mine's Mine — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Furnished
A word that appears in the opening chapter of What's Mine's Mine — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Quarrel
A word that appears in the opening chapter of What's Mine's Mine — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Calling
A word that appears in the opening chapter of What's Mine's Mine — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.