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When You Were a Boy
When You Were a Boy

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of When You Were a Boy is here in full — 448 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand) Sabin • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for When You Were a Boy
Context Illustration Reading 1/89 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:
“A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!
You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.
All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.
Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.
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.

When You Were a Boy

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of When You Were a Boy is here in full — 448 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:
Line 2
“A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!
/ə ˈsoʊldʒər ʌv ðə ˈliːdʒən leɪ ˈdaɪɪŋ ɪn ælˈdʒɪrz ðer wɑːz læk ʌv ˈwʊmənz ˈnɜːrsɪŋ ðer wɑːz dɜːrθ ʌv ˈwʊmənz terz ənd məˈkænɪkli meɪnˈteɪnz ðə ˈnærətɪv fɔːr sʌm ˈmoʊmənts ənd ðen ɑːn ə ˈsʌdən ˈpiːtərz aʊt/
Line 3
You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.
/juː kæst əˈbaʊt fɔːr ˈsʌmθɪŋ wɪð wɪtʃ tuː stɑːrt ɪt ʌp əˈɡen bʌt juː laɪt əˈpɑːn ˈnʌθɪŋ/
Line 4
All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.
Line 5
Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.
/ˈhelpləs juː lʊk ɪn ðə dərˈekʃən ʌv ˈbɪli lʌnt əˈpɑːn huːz desk æz juː pæst juː hæd leɪd ðə bʊk ðæt hiː maɪt prɑːmpt juː ɪf ˈnesəseri/

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.

Algiers noun US /ælˈdʒɪrz/

an ancient port on the Mediterranean; the capital and largest city of Algeria

From this reading ““A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dearth noun US /dɜːrθ/

an acute insufficiency

From this reading ““A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Legion noun US /ˈliːdʒən/

archaic terms for army

From this reading ““A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Lunt noun US /lʌnt/

United States actor who performed with his wife Lynn Fontanne in many stage productions (1893-1977)

From this reading “Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
maintains verb US /meɪnˈteɪnz/

third-person singular of “maintain” — cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading ““A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nursing noun US /ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/

the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm

From this reading ““A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
peters noun US /ˈpiːtərz/

plural of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading ““A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
prompt verb US /prɑːmpt/

give an incentive for action

From this reading “Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.”

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.

lay dying verb + adjective

In this reading ““A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!”

677 times in 426,211 chapters
in front preposition + noun

at or in the front

In this reading “All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.”

87,341 times in 426,211 chapters
in the direction preposition + article + noun counted as “in … direction”

In this reading “Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.”

27,551 times in 426,211 chapters
cast about verb + particle

search anxiously

In this reading “You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.”

1,498 times in 426,211 chapters
some moments adjective + noun counted as “some moment”

In this reading ““A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!”

6,955 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 78

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 Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AlgiersnounUS /ælˈdʒɪrz/

an ancient port on the Mediterranean; the capital and largest city of Algeria

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
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 All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
amusedly

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

From this reading All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.

Pending verification
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BillynounUS /ˈbɪli/

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
castverbUS /kæst/

put or send forth

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dearthnounUS /dɜːrθ/

an acute insufficiency

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
desknounUS /desk/

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dragverbUS /dræɡ/

pull, as against a resistance

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
facesnounUS /ˈfeɪsəz/

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
grinningly

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

From this reading All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.

Pending verification
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HelplessadjectiveUS /ˈhelpləs/

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
lacknounUS /læk/

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/

set down according to a plan

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
layverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LegionnounUS /ˈliːdʒən/

archaic terms for army

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LuntnounUS /lʌnt/

United States actor who performed with his wife Lynn Fontanne in many stage productions (1893-1977)

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
maintainsverbUS /meɪnˈteɪnz/

third-person singular of “maintain” — cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/

in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/

absolutely essential

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nursingnounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/

the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
passedverbUS /pæst/

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
petersnounUS /ˈpiːtərz/

plural of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/

give an incentive for action

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
soldiernounUS /ˈsoʊldʒər/

an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

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 “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tearsnounUS /terz/

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

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 soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

Velmora curated lexicon
throatnounUS /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

Velmora curated lexicon
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
vacant-headed

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

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

Pending verification
VeryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

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 soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/

look attentively

From this reading All the faces in front watch you curiously, amusedly, grinningly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading Helpless, you look in the direction of Billy Lunt, upon whose desk, as you passed, you had laid the book, that he might prompt you, if necessary.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading You cast about for something with which to start it up again, but you light upon nothing.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading “A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers; There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears,” and mechanically maintains the narrative for some moments, and then on a sudden peters out!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Very vacant-headed, you drag from your throat a thin stranger voice which says:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 2 of When You Were a Boy by Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand) Sabin holds 448 sentences, grouped into 90 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 2 of When You Were a Boy contain?

Chapter 2 holds 448 sentences of When You Were a Boy, unabridged, divided into 90 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of When You Were a Boy by Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand) Sabin exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 448 sentences, grouped into 90 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of When You Were a Boy?

Work through the 90 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 90 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading When You Were a Boy

Common questions about reading When You Were a Boy by Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand) Sabin on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of When You Were a Boy?

Yes. All 3082 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #58165 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of When You Were a Boy is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #58165, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does When You Were a Boy take to read?

About 256 minutes of reading across 617 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read When You Were a Boy section by section

How to work through When You Were a Boy section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 7 chapters of When You Were a Boy 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 When You Were a Boy

Words and structures a reader meets early in When You Were a Boy, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Plimpton
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When You Were a Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Press
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When You Were a Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Norwood
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When You Were a Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Permission
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When You Were a Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.