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David Copperfield
David Copperfield

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of David Copperfield is here in full — 741 sentences across 149 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for David Copperfield
Context Illustration Reading 1/148 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.
He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.
T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.
I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.
However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.
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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.

David Copperfield

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of David Copperfield is here in full — 741 sentences across 149 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/148 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.
Line 2
He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.
Line 3
T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.
Line 4
I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.
Line 5
However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

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.

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.”

All words in this reading · 103

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.

a

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

about

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

after

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

Agnes

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

an

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

and

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

answer

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

From this reading However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

as

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

at

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

back

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

banisters

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

before

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

believed

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

From this reading However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

body

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

but

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

by

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

came

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

cane

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

From this reading ‘T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.

claim

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

coming

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

confusion

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

conviction

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

Copperfield

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

From this reading ‘T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.

could

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

date

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

day

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

deplorable

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

dinner-party

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

disturbed

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

door

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

enormous

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

errand

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

Esquire

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

From this reading ‘T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.

exhaustion

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

from

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

gave

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

From this reading However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

going

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

had

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

hand

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

hat

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

From this reading ‘T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.

He

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

headache

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

him

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

himself

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

his

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

However

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

From this reading However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

I

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

if

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

in

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

into

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

it

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

From this reading However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

lay

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

letter

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

lever

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

little

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

From this reading ‘T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.

looking

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

me

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

months

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

morning

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

my

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

name

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

odd

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

of

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

on

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

out

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

over

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

panting

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

pushed

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

relative

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

repentance

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

required

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

From this reading However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

run

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

said

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

From this reading ‘T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.

saw

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

scarcely

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

sickness

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

so

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

From this reading I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes.

some

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

staircase

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

state

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

swung

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

T

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

From this reading ‘T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.

taken

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

taking

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

that

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

the

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

then

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

ticket-porter

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

time

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

Titans

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

to

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

told

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

From this reading However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

top

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

touching

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

From this reading ‘T. Copperfield, Esquire,’ said the ticket-porter, touching his hat with his little cane.

trot

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

up

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

From this reading He was taking his time about his errand, then; but when he saw me on the top of the staircase, looking at him over the banisters, he swung into a trot, and came up panting as if he had run himself into a state of exhaustion.

upstairs

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

was

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

when

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

which

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

From this reading However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.

with

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

yesterday

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

From this reading I was going out at my door on the morning after that deplorable day of headache, sickness, and repentance, with an odd confusion in my mind relative to the date of my dinner-party, as if a body of Titans had taken an enormous lever and pushed the day before yesterday some months back, when I saw a ticket-porter coming upstairs, with a letter in his hand.

Chapter 16 of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens holds 741 sentences, grouped into 149 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 16 of David Copperfield contain?

Chapter 16 holds 741 sentences of David Copperfield, unabridged, divided into 149 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 741 sentences, grouped into 149 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 16 of David Copperfield?

Work through the 149 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 149 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 David Copperfield

Common questions about reading David Copperfield by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of David Copperfield?

Yes. All 18139 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #766 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of David Copperfield is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #766, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does David Copperfield take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 3628 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read David Copperfield section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of David Copperfield 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 David Copperfield

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

Whether
A word that appears in the opening chapter of David Copperfield; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shall
A word that appears in the opening chapter of David Copperfield; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Station
A word that appears in the opening chapter of David Copperfield; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Anybody
A word that appears in the opening chapter of David Copperfield; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.