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Biltmore Oswald
Biltmore Oswald

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Biltmore Oswald is here in full — 380 sentences across 76 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Biltmore Oswald
Context Illustration Reading 28/76 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.
I wonder if I look different.
People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.
I recognize two faces on this train.
One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.
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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.

Biltmore Oswald

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Biltmore Oswald is here in full — 380 sentences across 76 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 28/76 · 5 reading units · Lines 136–140

Line 1
I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.
Line 2
I wonder if I look different.
/aɪ ˈwʌndər ɪf aɪ lʊk ˈdɪfərənt/
Line 3
People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.
/ˈpiːpəl siːm tuː biː rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ miː ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪkəli/
Line 4
I recognize two faces on this train.
/aɪ ˈrekəɡnaɪz tuː ˈfeɪsəz ɑːn ðɪs treɪn/
Line 5
One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

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.

belongs verb US /bɪˈlɔːŋz/

third-person singular of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading “One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.”

block noun US /blɑːk/

a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading “One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.”

graced verb US /ɡreɪst/

past form of “grace” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading “One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.”

iceman noun US /ˈaɪsmæn/

someone who cuts and delivers ice

From this reading “One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.”

rightly adverb US /ˈraɪtli/

with honesty

From this reading “One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.”

snatches noun US /ˈsnætʃɪz/

plural of “snatch” — a small fragment

From this reading “I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.”

sympathetically adverb US /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪkəli/

with respect to the sympathetic nervous system

From this reading “People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.”

terrified adjective US /ˈterəfaɪd/

thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation

From this reading “I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

too excited adverb + adjective

In this reading “I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.”

read the paper verb + article + noun counted as “read … paper”

In this reading “I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.”

in a hotel preposition + article + noun counted as “in … hotel”

In this reading “One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.”

All words in this reading · 51

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 One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

barkeepnoun

an employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.

belongsverbUS /bɪˈlɔːŋz/

third-person singular of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

blocknounUS /blɑːk/

a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading I wonder if I look different.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtəd/

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

facesnounUS /ˈfeɪsəz/

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading I recognize two faces on this train.

frequentlyadverbUS /ˈfriːkwəntli/

many times at short intervals

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

gracedverbUS /ɡreɪst/

past form of “grace” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

hotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

icemannounUS /ˈaɪsmæn/

someone who cuts and delivers ice

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I wonder if I look different.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading I wonder if I look different.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

namedverbUS /neɪmd/

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I recognize two faces on this train.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

PeoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.

presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

rattle-brained

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

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

readverbUS /red/

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

recognizeverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading I recognize two faces on this train.

regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.

rightlyadverbUS /ˈraɪtli/

with honesty

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.

snatchesnounUS /ˈsnætʃɪz/

plural of “snatch” — a small fragment

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

sympatheticallyadverbUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪkəli/

with respect to the sympathetic nervous system

From this reading People seem to be regarding me sympathetically.

terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/

thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading I recognize two faces on this train.

Tim

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

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

Tony

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

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading I am too excited to read the paper and too rattle-brained to think except in terrified snatches.

trainverbUS /treɪn/

create by training and teaching

From this reading I recognize two faces on this train.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I recognize two faces on this train.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading One belongs to Tony, the iceman on our block; the other belongs to one named Tim, a barkeep, if I recall rightly, in a hotel I have frequently graced with my presence.

wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading I wonder if I look different.

Chapter 1 of Biltmore Oswald by Thorne Smith holds 380 sentences, grouped into 76 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 1 of Biltmore Oswald contain?

Chapter 1 holds 380 sentences of Biltmore Oswald, unabridged, divided into 76 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Biltmore Oswald by Thorne Smith exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 380 sentences, grouped into 76 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 Biltmore Oswald?

Work through the 76 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 76 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 Biltmore Oswald

Common questions about reading Biltmore Oswald by Thorne Smith on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Biltmore Oswald?

Yes. All 2007 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #16634 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Biltmore Oswald is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #16634, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Biltmore Oswald take to read?

About 167 minutes of reading across 402 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Biltmore Oswald section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 5 chapters of Biltmore Oswald 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 Biltmore Oswald

Words and structures a reader meets early in Biltmore Oswald, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Thorne
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Biltmore Oswald; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Smith
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Biltmore Oswald; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Richard
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Biltmore Oswald; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dorgan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Biltmore Oswald; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.