Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Happy Days
Happy Days

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Happy Days is here in full — 68 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Happy Days
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Here's to stern Critics!
May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!
Here's to her shadow!
May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!
PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!
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.

Happy Days

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Happy Days is here in full — 68 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Here's to stern Critics!
Line 2
May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!
Line 3
Here's to her shadow!
Line 4
May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!
Line 5
PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

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.

Critics noun US /ˈkrɪtɪks/

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading “Here's to stern Critics!”

dove noun US /dʌv/

any of numerous small pigeons

From this reading “PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!”

editor noun US /ˈedətər/

a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading “PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!”

nicotine noun US /ˈnɪkətiːn/

an alkaloid poison that occurs in tobacco; used in medicine and as an insecticide

From this reading “PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!”

publisher noun US /ˈpʌblɪʃər/

a firm in the publishing business

From this reading “PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!”

sundial noun US /ˈsʌndaɪl/

timepiece that indicates the daylight hours by the shadow that the gnomon casts on a calibrated dial

From this reading “May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!”

toast verb US /toʊst/

make brown and crisp by heating

From this reading “PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!”

typewriter noun US /ˈtaɪpraɪtər/

hand-operated character printer for printing written messages one character at a time

From this reading “PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!”

All words in this reading · 58

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.

11

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

12

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

15

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

17

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

19

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

21

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

23

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

25

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

27

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

29

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

3

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

31

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

4

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

9

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

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

BetteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

CLOCKnounUS /klɑːk/

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

CriticsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪks/

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading Here's to stern Critics!

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

DOVEnounUS /dʌv/

any of numerous small pigeons

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

EDITORnounUS /ˈedətər/

a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

FASHIONnounUS /ˈfæʃən/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

FLOORnounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Here's to her shadow!

Here's

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

From this reading Here's to stern Critics!

HOPEnounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

LADYnounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

learnverbUS /lɜːrn/

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

LIBERTYnounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

LOOKINGnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

lookout's

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

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

markverbUS /mɑːrk/

attach a tag or label to

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

MUSICnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

NICOTINEnounUS /ˈnɪkətiːn/

an alkaloid poison that occurs in tobacco; used in medicine and as an insecticide

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

OHnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

PAGEnounUS /peɪdʒ/

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

PEACEnounUS /piːs/

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

PUBLISHERnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃər/

a firm in the publishing business

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Here's to her shadow!

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

STAIRSnounUS /sterz/

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading Here's to stern Critics!

sundialnounUS /ˈsʌndaɪl/

timepiece that indicates the daylight hours by the shadow that the gnomon casts on a calibrated dial

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading May they some day learn The forward lookout's Better than the stern!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Here's to stern Critics!

TOASTverbUS /toʊst/

make brown and crisp by heating

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

TYPEWRITERnounUS /ˈtaɪpraɪtər/

hand-operated character printer for printing written messages one character at a time

From this reading PAGE TO STERN CRITICS 3 TO HER SHADOW 4 TO FASHION 9 TO THE TYPEWRITER 11 THE FLOOR 12 TO MUSIC 15 TO THE PUBLISHER 17 HERE'S LOOKING 19 THE DOVE OF PEACE 21 TO THE CLOCK 23 TO HOPE 25 TO LIBERTY 27 STAIRS: A TOAST 29 TO LADY NICOTINE 31 OH, EDITOR, EDITOR!

UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading May it mark the hours Upon the sundial of her life--in flowers!

Chapter 1 of Happy Days by Oliver Herford holds 68 sentences, grouped into 14 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Happy Days contain?

Chapter 1 holds 68 sentences of Happy Days, unabridged, divided into 14 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Happy Days by Oliver Herford exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 68 sentences, grouped into 14 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Happy Days?

Work through the 14 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 14 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Happy Days

Common questions about reading Happy Days by Oliver Herford on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Happy Days?

Yes. All 68 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #23614 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Happy Days is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #23614, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Happy Days take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 14 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Happy Days section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Happy Days 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 Happy Days

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

Here's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Happy Days; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stern
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Happy Days; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Critics
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Happy Days; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Learn
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Happy Days; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.