Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Christine
Christine

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Christine is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Christine
Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.
Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.
It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.
And so I was; and so I have been all this week.
But I don't feel like that now.
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.

Christine

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Christine is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.
Line 2
Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.
Line 3
It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.
/ɪt ɪz streɪndʒ tuː rɪˈmɛm.bər ðæt ˈoʊnli ðɪs ˈmɔːrnɪŋ aɪ wɑːz ˈraɪtɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˈfiːlɪŋ soʊ ˈloʊnli ənd baɪ ˌmaɪˈself ɪn ˈspɪrət/
Line 4
And so I was; and so I have been all this week.
/ənd soʊ aɪ wɑːz ənd soʊ aɪ hæv bɪn ɔːl ðɪs wiːk/
Line 5
But I don't feel like that now.

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.

content noun US /ˈkɑːntent/

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading “Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.”

forgetting verb US /fərˈɡetɪŋ/

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading “They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.”

Frau noun US /fraʊ/

a German courtesy title or form of address for an adult woman

From this reading “They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.”

Herr noun US /her/

a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English

From this reading “Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.”

keeps noun US /kiːps/

plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives

From this reading “They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.”

lonely adjective US /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading “It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.”

week noun US /wiːk/

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading “And so I was; and so I have been all this week.”

writing noun US /ˈraɪtɪŋ/

the act of creating written works

From this reading “It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.”

All words in this reading · 63

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 It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

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 They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And so I was; and so I have been all this week.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

can't

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

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

contentnounUS /ˈkɑːntent/

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

didn't

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

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

don't

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

From this reading But I don't feel like that now.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading But I don't feel like that now.

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

forgettingverbUS /fərˈɡetɪŋ/

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

FraunounUS /fraʊ/

a German courtesy title or form of address for an adult woman

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading And so I was; and so I have been all this week.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

HerrnounUS /her/

a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

Inster

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

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

keepsnounUS /kiːps/

plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

Kloster

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

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading But I don't feel like that now.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading But I don't feel like that now.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

talkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

von

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

From this reading Herr von Inster didn't talk much, but he looked quite as content as the rest of us.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

weeknounUS /wiːk/

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading And so I was; and so I have been all this week.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/

the act of creating written works

From this reading It is strange to remember that only this morning I was writing about feeling so lonely and by myself in spirit.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading They were both so kind to me all day, you can't think little mother, and so was Frau Kloster, only one keeps on forgetting her.

Chapter 3 of Christine by Elizabeth Von Arnim holds 428 sentences, grouped into 86 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 3 of Christine contain?

Chapter 3 holds 428 sentences of Christine, unabridged, divided into 86 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Christine by Elizabeth Von Arnim exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 428 sentences, grouped into 86 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 3 of Christine?

Work through the 86 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 86 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Christine

Common questions about reading Christine by Elizabeth Von Arnim on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Christine?

Yes. All 2579 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #12683 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Christine is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #12683, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Christine take to read?

About 214 minutes of reading across 516 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Christine section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of Christine 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 Christine

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

Daughter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christine; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Christine
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christine; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wrote
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christine; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
These
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christine; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.