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A Man and a Woman
A Man and a Woman

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of A Man and a Woman is here in full — 153 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AS TO THOSE OTHERS.
Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.
There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.
To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.
There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Man and a Woman

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of A Man and a Woman is here in full — 153 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AS TO THOSE OTHERS.
Line 2
Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.
Line 3
There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.
/ðer wɑːz ˈnʌθɪŋ drəˈmætɪk əˈbaʊt ðə ˈwedɪŋ/
Line 4
To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.
Line 5
There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.
/ðer wɜːr fjuː ʌv ʌs ˈprezənt bʌt wiː wɜːr ðə tuːz ˈkloʊsəst frendz/

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.

ceremony noun US /ˈserəmoʊni/

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading “To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.”

closest adverb US /ˈkloʊsəst/

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading “There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.”

Cornish noun US /ˈkɔːrnɪʃ/

a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall

From this reading “To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.”

dramatic adjective US /drəˈmætɪk/

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading “There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.”

gaining verb US /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading “To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.”

passes noun US /ˈpæsəz/

plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls

From this reading “Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.”

probation noun US /proʊˈbeɪʃən/

a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership

From this reading “Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.”

two's noun US /tuːz/

possessive form of “two” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading “There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.”

All words in this reading · 60

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.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

ASconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading AS TO THOSE OTHERS.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

ceremonynounUS /ˈserəmoʊni/

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

closestadverbUS /ˈkloʊsəst/

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.

CornishnounUS /ˈkɔːrnɪʃ/

a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

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

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

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 There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.

fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/

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

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.

fullyadverbUS /ˈfʊli/

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/

the act of giving

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

GrantverbUS /ɡrænt/

let have

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

Harlson's

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

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/

characteristic of humanity

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

impatientadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt/

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

JeannounUS /dʒiːn/

a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

lovernounUS /ˈlʌvər/

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

merelyadverbUS /ˈmɪrli/

and nothing more

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

OTHERS

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

From this reading AS TO THOSE OTHERS.

passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/

plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.

probationnounUS /proʊˈbeɪʃən/

a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

seasonnounUS /ˈsiːzən/

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

THOSEdeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading AS TO THOSE OTHERS.

TimenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

title-deed

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

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading AS TO THOSE OTHERS.

two'snounUS /tuːz/

possessive form of “two” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.

weddingnounUS /ˈwedɪŋ/

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading There was nothing dramatic about the wedding.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were few of us present, but we were the two's closest friends.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading To him the ceremony was merely the gaining of the human title-deed to the fortune which was his on earth, and to Jean Cornish it was but the giving of herself fully to the man--that which she wished to do with herself.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Time passes, even with an impatient lover, and so there came an end at last to Grant Harlson's season of probation.

Chapter 23 of A Man and a Woman by Stanley Waterloo holds 153 sentences, grouped into 31 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 23 of A Man and a Woman contain?

Chapter 23 holds 153 sentences of A Man and a Woman, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of A Man and a Woman by Stanley Waterloo exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 153 sentences, grouped into 31 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 23 of A Man and a Woman?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Man and a Woman

Common questions about reading A Man and a Woman by Stanley Waterloo on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Man and a Woman?

Yes. All 3435 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #16143 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Man and a Woman is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #16143, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Man and a Woman take to read?

About 286 minutes of reading across 687 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Man and a Woman section by section

How to work through A Man and a Woman section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 32 chapters of A Man and a Woman 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 Man and a Woman

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Man and a Woman, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Close
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Man and a Woman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Nature
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Man and a Woman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Great
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Man and a Woman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Forest
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Man and a Woman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.