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Beasts and Super-Beasts
Beasts and Super-Beasts

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Beasts and Super-Beasts is here in full — 151 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Beasts and Super-Beasts
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Open Window,” The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, The Elk in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.
To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.
H. H. M.
Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an unseen world of their own experience or imaginationor invention.
Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Beasts and Super-Beasts

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Beasts and Super-Beasts is here in full — 151 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” andClovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elkin the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.
Line 2
To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.
Line 3
H. H. M.
Line 4
Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in anunseen worldof their own experience or imaginationor invention.
Line 5
Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading ““The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.”

All words in this reading · 78

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.

allowing

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

am

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

an

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

and

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

appeared

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

are

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

attractive

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

beliefs

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

Bilsiter

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

but

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

by

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

Bystander

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

Children

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

Clovis

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

compensation

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

content

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

convince

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

courtesy

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

do

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

Editors

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

Elk

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

experience

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

failed

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

find

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

for

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

Gazette

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

H

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

From this reading H. H. M.

have

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

I

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

imagination

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

in

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

indebted

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

interesting

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

invention

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

Leonard

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

M

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

From this reading H. H. M.

me

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

Method

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

Morning

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

not

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

of

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

on

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

one

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

OpenverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

or

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

originally

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

other

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

own

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

papers

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

Parental

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

people

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

Post

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

remaining

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

reprint

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

Responsibilities

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

Schartz-Metterklume

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

sort

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

sought

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

stories

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

successfully

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

that

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

The

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

their

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

them

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

themselves

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

these

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

thing

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

this

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

those

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

To

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

From this reading To the Editors of these papers I am indebted for their courtesy in allowing me to reprint them.

trying

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

unseen

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

vulgarise

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

From this reading Children do that sort of thing successfully, but children are content to convince themselves, and do not vulgarise their beliefs by trying to convince other people.

was

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

Westminster

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

who

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

Window

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

From this reading “The Open Window,” “The Schartz-Metterklume Method,” and “Clovis on Parental Responsibilities,” originally appeared in the _Westminster Gazette_, “The Elk” in the _Bystander_, and the remaining stories in the _Morning Post_.

world

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

From this reading Leonard Bilsiter was one of those people who have failed to find this world attractive or interesting, and who have sought compensation in an “unseen world” of their own experience or imagination—or invention.

Chapter 1 of Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki holds 151 sentences, grouped into 31 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 1 of Beasts and Super-Beasts contain?

Chapter 1 holds 151 sentences of Beasts and Super-Beasts, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 151 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 1 of Beasts and Super-Beasts?

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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Beasts and Super-Beasts

Common questions about reading Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Beasts and Super-Beasts?

Yes. All 2917 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #269 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Beasts and Super-Beasts is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #269, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Beasts and Super-Beasts take to read?

About 243 minutes of reading across 584 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Beasts and Super-Beasts section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of Beasts and Super-Beasts 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 Beasts and Super-Beasts

Words and structures a reader meets early in Beasts and Super-Beasts, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Window
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beasts and Super-Beasts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Schartz-metterklume
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beasts and Super-Beasts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Method
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beasts and Super-Beasts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Clovis
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beasts and Super-Beasts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.