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Wolfville Nights
Wolfville Nights

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of Wolfville Nights is here in full — 249 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Wolfville Nights
Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Tom and Jerry; Wheelers.
"Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.
Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.
Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."
The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.
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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.

Wolfville Nights

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of Wolfville Nights is here in full — 249 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Tom and Jerry; Wheelers.
/tɑːm ənd ˈdʒeri ˈwiːlərz/
Line 2
"Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.
Line 3
Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.
Line 4
Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."
Line 5
The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

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.

abstract verb US /æbˈstrækt/

consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically

From this reading “The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.”

harries verb US /ˈheriz/

third-person singular of “harry” — annoy continually or chronically

From this reading “Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.”

kills noun US /kɪlz/

plural of “kill” — the act of terminating a life

From this reading “Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."”

loath adjective US /loʊθ/

unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

From this reading “Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.”

mules noun US /mjuːlz/

plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile

From this reading “Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."”

Obstinacy noun US /ˈɑːbstənəsi/

the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

From this reading “"Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.”

pushes noun US /ˈpʊʃəz/

plural of “push” — the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading “"Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.”

Wheelers noun US /ˈwiːlərz/

plural of “wheeler” — Scottish archaeologist (1890-1976)

From this reading “Tom and Jerry; Wheelers.”

All words in this reading · 50

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.

a-way

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

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

abstractverbUS /æbˈstrækt/

consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically

From this reading The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

aheap

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

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Tom and Jerry; Wheelers.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

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

From this reading The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

attribootes

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

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

badadjectiveUS /bæd/

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

Cattlemannoun

a man who raises (or tends) cattle

From this reading The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

countverbUS /kaʊnt/

determine the number or amount of

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/

an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

From this reading The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

emnounUS /em/

a quad with a square body

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

excessnounUS /ˈekses/

a quantity much larger than is needed

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

folksnounUS /foʊks/

your parents

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

harriesverbUS /ˈheriz/

third-person singular of “harry” — annoy continually or chronically

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

I'd

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

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

it's

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

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/

offensive term for a person of German descent

From this reading Tom and Jerry; Wheelers.

killsnounUS /kɪlz/

plural of “kill” — the act of terminating a life

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

loathadjectiveUS /loʊθ/

unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

medicinenounUS /ˈmedəsən/

the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

mulesnounUS /mjuːlz/

plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

numbersnounUS /ˈnʌmbərz/

the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

ObstinacynounUS /ˈɑːbstənəsi/

the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

pushesnounUS /ˈpʊʃəz/

plural of “push” — the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/

plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

sonnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading Tom and Jerry; Wheelers.

tombnounUS /tuːm/

a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/

a region marking a boundary

From this reading The Old Cattleman appeared to be on the verge of abstract discussion.

wheelverbUS /wiːl/

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

WheelersnounUS /ˈwiːlərz/

plural of “wheeler” — Scottish archaeologist (1890-1976)

From this reading Tom and Jerry; Wheelers.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "Obstinacy or love, that a-way, when folks pushes 'em to excess, is shore bad medicine.

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Which I'd be aheap loath to count the numbers them two attribootes harries to the tomb.

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why, son, it's them sentiments that kills off my two wheel mules, Tom an' Jerry."

Chapter 8 of Wolfville Nights by Alfred Henry Lewis holds 249 sentences, grouped into 50 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 Wolfville Nights contain?

Chapter 8 holds 249 sentences of Wolfville Nights, unabridged, divided into 50 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Wolfville Nights by Alfred Henry Lewis exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 249 sentences, grouped into 50 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 Wolfville Nights?

Work through the 50 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 50 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 Wolfville Nights

Common questions about reading Wolfville Nights by Alfred Henry Lewis on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Wolfville Nights?

Yes. All 3791 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #13709 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Wolfville Nights is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #13709, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Wolfville Nights take to read?

About 315 minutes of reading across 759 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Wolfville Nights section by section

How to work through Wolfville Nights section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of Wolfville Nights 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 Wolfville Nights

Words and structures a reader meets early in Wolfville Nights, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Dismissal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wolfville Nights; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Silver
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wolfville Nights; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Complete
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wolfville Nights; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Philip
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wolfville Nights; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.