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William—the fourth
William—the fourth

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of William—the fourth is here in full — 321 sentences across 65 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Richmal Crompton • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for William—the fourth
Context Illustration Reading 1/64 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.
She was small and inoffensive-looking.
She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.
William was a great judge of character.
He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.
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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.

William—the fourth

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of William—the fourth is here in full — 321 sentences across 65 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/64 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.
Line 2
She was small and inoffensive-looking.
Line 3
She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.
Line 4
William was a great judge of character.
Line 5
He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.
/hiː kʊd tel æt ə ɡlæns huː wɑːz ˈlaɪkli tuː ˈɑːbdʒekt tuː hɪm huː wɑːz ˈlaɪkli tuː ˌɪɡˈnɔːr hɪm ənd huː wɑːz ˈlaɪkli ˈdefənətli tuː enˈkɜːrɪdʒ hɪm/

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.

Croft noun US /krɔːft/

a small farm worked by a crofter

From this reading “THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
definitely adverb US /ˈdefənətli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading “He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
encourage verb US /enˈkɜːrɪdʒ/

contribute to the progress or growth of

From this reading “He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ignore verb US /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading “He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
irate adjective US /aɪˈreɪt/

feeling or showing extreme anger

From this reading “She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
judge verb US /dʒʌdʒ/

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading “William was a great judge of character.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
parents noun US /ˈperənts/

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading “She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
William's noun US /ˈwɪljəmz/

possessive form of “williams” — United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)

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.

took a fancy verb + article + noun counted as “take … fancy”

In this reading “THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.”

1,940 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 45

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 THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading William was a great judge of character.

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

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
CroftnounUS /krɔːft/

a small farm worked by a crofter

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
didn't

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

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

Pending verification
encourageverbUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒ/

contribute to the progress or growth of

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fancynounUS /ˈfænsi/

something many people believe that is false

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FORTUNEnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FÊTE

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

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Pending verification
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading William was a great judge of character.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ignoreverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inoffensive-looking

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

From this reading She was small and inoffensive-looking.

Pending verification
irateadjectiveUS /aɪˈreɪt/

feeling or showing extreme anger

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
judgeverbUS /dʒʌdʒ/

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading William was a great judge of character.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/

the literary culture

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
likelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪkli/

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
objectnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekt/

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
parentsnounUS /ˈperənts/

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She was small and inoffensive-looking.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading She was small and inoffensive-looking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Tabitha

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

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Pending verification
tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

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 She was small and inoffensive-looking.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He could tell at a glance who was likely to object to him, who was likely to ignore him, and who was likely definitely to encourage him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
William

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

From this reading THE FÊTE--AND FORTUNE William took a fancy to Miss Tabitha Croft as soon as he saw her.

Pending verification
William'snounUS /ˈwɪljəmz/

possessive form of “williams” — United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading She didn’t look the sort of person to write irate letters to William’s parents.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 3 of William—the fourth by Richmal Crompton holds 321 sentences, grouped into 65 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 3 of William—the fourth contain?

Chapter 3 holds 321 sentences of William—the fourth, unabridged, divided into 65 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of William—the fourth by Richmal Crompton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 321 sentences, grouped into 65 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 3 of William—the fourth?

Work through the 65 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 65 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 William—the fourth

Common questions about reading William—the fourth by Richmal Crompton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of William—the fourth?

Yes. All 4416 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #66971 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of William—the fourth is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #66971, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does William—the fourth take to read?

About 368 minutes of reading across 884 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read William—the fourth section by section

How to work through William—the fourth section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 14 chapters of William—the fourth 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 William—the fourth

Words and structures a reader meets early in William—the fourth, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Tower
A word that appears in the opening chapter of William—the fourth; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
House
A word that appears in the opening chapter of William—the fourth; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Southampton
A word that appears in the opening chapter of William—the fourth; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Street
A word that appears in the opening chapter of William—the fourth; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.