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Dombey and Son
Dombey and Son

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of Dombey and Son is here in full — 314 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Dombey and Son
Context Illustration Reading 1/62 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.
His meditationsand he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled alonghardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.
But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.
He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.
It pondered now, intently.
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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.

Dombey and Son

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of Dombey and Son is here in full — 314 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.
Line 2
His meditationsand he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled alonghardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.
Line 3
But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.
Line 4
He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.
Line 5
It pondered now, intently.

All words in this reading · 85

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 But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

about

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

air

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

along

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

among

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

and

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

as

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

beyond

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

bird

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

brows

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

But

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

Carker

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

Carker's

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

close

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

contracted

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

control

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

could

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

day

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

Deeper

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

direction

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

distinct

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

dust

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

earth

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

expression

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

eye

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

face

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

farther

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

few

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

had

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

hardly

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

he

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

high

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

His

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

human

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

in

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

intently

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

From this reading It pondered now, intently.

it

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

its

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

kept

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

lark

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

looked

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

Manager

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

meditated

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

meditations

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

more

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

mount

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

Mr

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

nest

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

not

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

now

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

From this reading It pondered now, intently.

of

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

or

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

out

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

perfectly

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

pondered

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

rather

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

reach

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

rose

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

say

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

seemed

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

Shadows

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

singing

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

smiled

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

so

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

soar

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

strolled

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

summer

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

terms

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

than

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

that

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

the

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

their

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

there

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

they

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

thoughts

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

to

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

under

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

From this reading He had his face so perfectly under control, that few could say more, in distinct terms, of its expression, than that it smiled or that it pondered.

unseen

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

upon

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

walking

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

was

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

From this reading But there was not a bird in the air, singing unseen, farther beyond the reach of human eye than Mr Carker’s thoughts.

went

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

while

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

with

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

From this reading Deeper Shadows Mr Carker the Manager rose with the lark, and went out, walking in the summer day.

worms

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

From this reading His meditations—and he meditated with contracted brows while he strolled along—hardly seemed to soar as high as the lark, or to mount in that direction; rather they kept close to their nest upon the earth, and looked about, among the dust and worms.

Chapter 18 of Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens holds 314 sentences, grouped into 63 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 18 of Dombey and Son contain?

Chapter 18 holds 314 sentences of Dombey and Son, unabridged, divided into 63 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 314 sentences, grouped into 63 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 18 of Dombey and Son?

Work through the 63 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 63 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 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 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 Dombey and Son

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

Is this the complete text of Dombey and Son?

Yes. All 16397 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #821 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Dombey and Son is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #821, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Dombey and Son take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 3280 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Dombey and Son section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of Dombey and Son 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 Dombey and Son

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

Chapter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dombey and Son; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Timely
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dombey and Son; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Provision
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dombey and Son; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Emergency
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dombey and Son; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.