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A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance
A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance is here in full — 84 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and seek my fortune.”
I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.
If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.
One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.
Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.
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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.

A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance is here in full — 84 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life andseek my fortune.”
/aɪ wɑːz ɪn ə ˈtʊrəst loʊˈkæləti ənd ˈiːzəli prəˈvaɪdɪd ˌmaɪˈself wɪð ə laɪt ɪˈkwɪpmənt fɔːr ðə roʊd riˈzɑːlvd æt wʌns tuː teɪk ðə ˈfʊtpæθ ɪn laɪf ənd siːk maɪ ˈfɔːrtʃən/
Line 2
I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.
/aɪ juːs ðiːz wɜːrdz ˈsɪmpli æz ðə ɪkˈspreʃən ʌv ðə ˈʌtər ənˈsɜːrtənti wɪtʃ prɪˈveɪld æz tuː ˈwɪðər aɪ ʃʊd ɡoʊ ənd wʌt duː wen aɪ ɡɑːt ðer/
Line 3
If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.
Line 4
One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.
/wʌn ʌv ðə moʊst ˈɡriːvəs ˈfiːtʃərz ʌv smɔːl miːnz ɪz ˈsɜːrtənli ðə ˈɔːlmoʊst ɪkˈskluːsɪv ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən ɪt ɡɪvz ðə maɪnd æz tuː ˈevəri ˈiːvɪn ðə moʊst ˈtrɪviəl ˈɪnsədənt ðæt ˌɪnˈvɑːlvz kɑːst/
Line 5
Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

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.

exclusive adjective US /ɪkˈskluːsɪv/

not divided or shared with others

From this reading “One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.”

footpath noun US /ˈfʊtpæθ/

a trodden path

From this reading “I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.””

fowl noun US /faʊl/

a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl

From this reading “Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.”

grievous adjective US /ˈɡriːvəs/

causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm

From this reading “One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.”

involves verb US /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvz/

third-person singular of “involve” — connect closely and often incriminatingly

From this reading “One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.”

locality noun US /loʊˈkæləti/

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading “I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.””

ramble verb US /ˈræmbəl/

continue talking or writing in a desultory manner

From this reading “If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.”

tourist noun US /ˈtʊrəst/

someone who travels for pleasure

From this reading “I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.””

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.

most trivial adverb + adjective

In this reading “One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.”

ramble through verb + particle

In this reading “If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.”

at once preposition + adverb

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

In this reading “I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.””

most grievous adverb + adjective

In this reading “One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.”

start off verb + particle

In this reading “If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.”

set out verb + adjective

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

In this reading “If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.”

little money adjective + noun

In this reading “If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.”

on foot preposition + noun

In this reading “If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.”

All words in this reading · 118

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 I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

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

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

choicenounUS /tʃɔɪs/

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

companionsnounUS /kəmˈpænjənz/

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

costnounUS /kɑːst/

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/

recognizable; marked

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/

the act of eating dinner

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

eatingnounUS /ˈiːtɪŋ/

the act of consuming food

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

equipmentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/

an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

exclusiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈskluːsɪv/

not divided or shared with others

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

featuresnounUS /ˈfiːtʃərz/

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

fishnounUS /fɪʃ/

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

footnounUS /fʊt/

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

footpathnounUS /ˈfʊtpæθ/

a trodden path

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/

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

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

fowlnounUS /faʊl/

a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

fruitnounUS /fruːt/

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

givesnounUS /ɡɪvz/

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

grievousadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːvəs/

causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

groschennoun

100 groschen equal 1 schilling in Austria

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

incidentnounUS /ˈɪnsədənt/

a single distinct event

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

InsteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

interestingadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

involvesverbUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvz/

third-person singular of “involve” — connect closely and often incriminatingly

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/

full of or characterized by joy

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

kreutzers

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

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

localitynounUS /loʊˈkæləti/

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

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 Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

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

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

oneself

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

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

prevailedverbUS /prɪˈveɪld/

past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

rambleverbUS /ˈræmbəl/

continue talking or writing in a desultory manner

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

resolvedadjectiveUS /riˈzɑːlvd/

determined

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

richadjectiveUS /rɪtʃ/

possessing material wealth

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

roadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

scenerynounUS /ˈsiːnəri/

the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

seekverbUS /siːk/

try to get or reach

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

sensationsnounUS /senˈseɪʃənz/

plural of “sensation” — an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

simplyadverbUS /ˈsɪmpli/

and nothing more

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

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 If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

touristnounUS /ˈtʊrəst/

someone who travels for pleasure

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/

(informal) small and of little importance

From this reading One of the most grievous features of small means is, certainly, the almost exclusive occupation it gives the mind as to every, even the most trivial, incident that involves cost.

uncertaintynounUS /ənˈsɜːrtənti/

being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

utterverbUS /ˈʌtər/

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/

characterized by variety

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading If there be few more joyous things in life than to start off on foot with three or four choice companions, to ramble through some fine country rich in scenery, varied in character and interesting in story, there are few more lonely sensations than to set out by oneself, not very decided what way to take, and with very little money to take it.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/

an old word meaning “to where”

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I was in a tourist locality, and easily provided myself with a light equipment for the road, resolved at once to take the footpath in life and “seek my fortune.”

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading I use these words simply as the expression of the utter uncertainty which prevailed as to whither I should go, and what do when I got there.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Instead of dining on fish and fowl and fruit, you feel eating so many groschen and kreutzers.

Chapter 24 of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance by Charles Lever holds 84 sentences, grouped into 17 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 24 of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance contain?

Chapter 24 holds 84 sentences of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance, unabridged, divided into 17 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 24 of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance by Charles Lever exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 84 sentences, grouped into 17 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 24 of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance?

Work through the 17 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 17 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 24 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 24 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 A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance

Common questions about reading A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance by Charles Lever on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance?

Yes. All 6482 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #32692 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #32692, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance take to read?

About 540 minutes of reading across 1297 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance section by section

How to work through A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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    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 A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Charles
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
James
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Lever
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Illustrations
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Day's Ride: A Life's Romance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.