Chapter 1 of Bliss, and Other Stories is here in full — 431 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Bliss, and Other Stories is here in full — 431 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
_but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy. When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
Chapter 1 of Bliss, and Other Stories is here in full — 431 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/86 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
a small lightweight carriage; drawn by a single horse
From this reading “_but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.”
possessive form of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother
cases used to carry belongings when traveling
From this reading “When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.”
a compact mass
From this reading “When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.”
sting with or as with nettles and cause a stinging pain or sensation
From this reading “_but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.”
pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading “When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.”
pull or pull out sharply
From this reading “_but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.”
past form of “wobble” — move unsteadily
From this reading “When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.”
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.
In this reading “When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
a small lightweight carriage; drawn by a single horse
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
a young person of either sex
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
possessive form of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
cases used to carry belongings when traveling
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
a compact mass
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
sting with or as with nettles and cause a stinging pain or sensation
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
pull or pull out sharply
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
by chance
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
express in words
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
in or at that place or location
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
the upper part of anything
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
at the time that
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
past form of “wobble” — move unsteadily
From this reading When Pat swung them on top of the luggage they wobbled; the grandmother’s lap was full and Linda Burnell could not possibly have held a lump of a child on hers for any distance.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower, safety._” There was not an inch of room for Lottie and Kezia in the buggy.
Chapter 1 of Bliss, and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield holds 431 sentences, grouped into 87 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.
Chapter 1 holds 431 sentences of Bliss, and Other Stories, unabridged, divided into 87 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Bliss, and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 431 sentences, grouped into 87 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.
Work through the 87 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 87 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.
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.
Common questions about reading Bliss, and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 6345 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #44385 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #44385, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 528 minutes of reading across 1269 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Bliss, and Other Stories section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 15 chapters of Bliss, and Other Stories to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Bliss, and Other Stories, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
