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A Knight of the Nineteenth Century
A Knight of the Nineteenth Century

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century is here in full — 88 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Knight of the Nineteenth Century
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.
As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.
What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?
There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.
The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.
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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 Knight of the Nineteenth Century

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century is here in full — 88 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.
Line 2
As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.
Line 3
What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?
/wʌt mɔːr wɑːz ˈniːdəd ðæn ðæt ðeɪ ʃʊd ɡɪv æn ˈaʊər tuː ðer esˈθetɪk ˈwɜːrʃəp æz ðeɪ hæd dʌn ɪn ðə pæst wen ðə ˈweðər pərˈmɪtɪd ənd ðen rɪˈtɜːrn tuː ˈdɪnər ənd ə næp ənd ɔːl ðə ˈɔːrdəneri ruːˈtiːn ʌv laɪf/
Line 4
There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.
/ðer wɜːr noʊ biːsts æt ˈefʊsəs tuː faɪt naʊ/
Line 5
The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.
/ðə taɪmz hæd tʃeɪndʒd ənd tuː laɪv ɪn ðɪs eɪdʒ laɪk æn ˈeɪn.ʃənt ˈkrɪstʃən wʊd biː laɪk ˈɡoʊɪŋ tuː ˈbɑːstən ɑːn fʊt wen wʌn maɪt teɪk ə ˈpæləs kɑːr/

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.

aesthetic adjective US /esˈθetɪk/

relating to or dealing with the subject of aesthetics

From this reading “What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?”

bombshell noun US /ˈbɑːmʃel/

an entertainer who has a sensational effect

From this reading “"THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.”

eminently adverb US /ˈemənəntli/

in an eminent manner

From this reading “"THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.”

Ephesus noun US /ˈefʊsəs/

an ancient Greek city on the western shore of Asia Minor in what is now Turkey; site of the Temple of Artemis; was a major trading center and played an important role in early Christianity

From this reading “There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.”

nap noun US /næp/

a period of time spent sleeping

From this reading “What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?”

routine noun US /ruːˈtiːn/

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading “What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?”

Sabbath noun US /ˈsæbəθ/

a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims

From this reading “"THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.”

toilets noun US /ˈtɔɪləts/

plural of “toilet” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading “As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.”

All words in this reading · 102

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 "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

aestheticadjectiveUS /esˈθetɪk/

relating to or dealing with the subject of aesthetics

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

agenounUS /eɪdʒ/

how long something has existed

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

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 What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

Arnot

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

beastsnounUS /biːsts/

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

BOMBSHELLnounUS /ˈbɑːmʃel/

an entertainer who has a sensational effect

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

BostonnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/

with brightness

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/

sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

carnounUS /kɑːr/

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

ChristianadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪstʃən/

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/

past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

congregationnounUS /ˌkɑːŋɡrəˈɡeɪʃən/

a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

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

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

eminentlyadverbUS /ˈemənəntli/

in an eminent manner

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

EphesusnounUS /ˈefʊsəs/

an ancient Greek city on the western shore of Asia Minor in what is now Turkey; site of the Temple of Artemis; was a major trading center and played an important role in early Christianity

From this reading There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.

fightverbUS /faɪt/

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

footnounUS /fʊt/

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

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

homesnounUS /hoʊmz/

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

liveverbUS /laɪv/

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

miserynounUS /ˈmɪzəri/

a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

napnounUS /næp/

a period of time spent sleeping

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/

a judge of a probate court

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

organizationnounUS /ˌɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/

a group of people who work together

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

pastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

permittedverbUS /pərˈmɪtɪd/

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

remindverbUS /riˈmaɪnd/

put in the mind of someone

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

SabbathnounUS /ˈsæbəθ/

a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

SERMONnounUS /ˈsɜːrmən/

an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

sinnounUS /sɪn/

estrangement from god

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

skynounUS /skaɪ/

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

smiledverbUS /smaɪld/

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/

the rays of the sun

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/

past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

THATconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

toiletsnounUS /ˈtɔɪləts/

plural of “toilet” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

weathernounUS /ˈweðər/

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

wended

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

From this reading As the congregation left their elegant homes, and in elegant toilets wended their way to their elegant church, they saw nothing in the blue sky and sunshine to remind them of the heavy shadows brooding over the earth.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were no "beasts at Ephesus" to fight now.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading "THAT SERMON WAS A BOMBSHELL" The following Sabbath morning smiled so brightly that one might be tempted to believe that there was no sin and misery in the world, and that such a church as Mrs. Arnot condemned was an eminently proper organization.

worshipverbUS /ˈwɜːrʃəp/

love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol

From this reading What more was needed than that they should give an hour to their aesthetic worship, as they had done in the past when the weather permitted, and then return to dinner and a nap and all the ordinary routine of life?

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The times had changed, and to live in this age like an ancient Christian would be like going to Boston on foot when one might take a palace car.

Chapter 26 of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century by Edward Payson Roe holds 88 sentences, grouped into 18 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 26 of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century contain?

Chapter 26 holds 88 sentences of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 26 of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century by Edward Payson Roe exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 88 sentences, grouped into 18 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 26 of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 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 26 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 26 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 Knight of the Nineteenth Century

Common questions about reading A Knight of the Nineteenth Century by Edward Payson Roe on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century?

Yes. All 6345 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6311 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6311, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Knight of the Nineteenth Century take to read?

About 528 minutes of reading across 1269 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Knight of the Nineteenth Century section by section

How to work through A Knight of the Nineteenth Century section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century 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 A Knight of the Nineteenth Century

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Knight of the Nineteenth Century, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Haldane's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hopes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Realized
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beyond
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Knight of the Nineteenth Century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.