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Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories
Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories is here in full — 421 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.
On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."
Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.
She managed it herself and managed it very well.
Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories is here in full — 421 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.
Line 2
On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."
Line 3
Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.
Line 4
She managed it herself and managed it very well.
/ʃiː ˈmænədʒd ɪt hərˈself ənd ˈmænədʒd ɪt ˈveri wel/
Line 5
Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

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.

architect noun US /ˈɑːrkətekt/

someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)

From this reading “Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.”

benefactor noun US /ˈbenəfæktər/

a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

From this reading “On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."”

casual adjective US /ˈkæʒəwəl/

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading “Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.”

disturbance noun US /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/

activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption

From this reading “On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."”

extraction noun US /ekˈstrækʃən/

the process of obtaining something from a mixture or compound by chemical or physical or mechanical means

From this reading “Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.”

farthing noun US /ˈfɑːrðɪŋ/

a former British bronze coin worth a quarter of a penny

From this reading “Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.”

infantry noun US /ˈɪnfəntri/

an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot

From this reading “Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.”

permanently adverb US /ˈpɜːrmənəntli/

for a long time without essential change

From this reading “Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.”

All words in this reading · 107

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

advantagenounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒ/

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

Akim's

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

architectnounUS /ˈɑːrkətekt/

someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

beatenadjectiveUS /ˈbiːtən/

formed or made thin by hammering

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

benefactornounUS /ˈbenəfæktər/

a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

betrayedverbUS /bɪˈtreɪd/

past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

brothersnounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

callingnounUS /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/

capability to perform or produce

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

concernedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɜːrnd/

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

disturbancenounUS /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/

activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

du

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

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

else

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

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

estatenounUS /ɪˈsteɪt/

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

extractionnounUS /ekˈstrækʃən/

the process of obtaining something from a mixture or compound by chemical or physical or mechanical means

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

farthingnounUS /ˈfɑːrðɪŋ/

a former British bronze coin worth a quarter of a penny

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

GermannounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmən/

a person of German nationality

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

halfpennynoun

an English coin worth half a penny

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

infantrynounUS /ˈɪnfəntri/

an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She managed it herself and managed it very well.

Kuntse

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

labours

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

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

livedverbUS /lɪvd/

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

Lizaveta

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

lumpenmamselle

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

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

managedverbUS /ˈmænədʒd/

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading She managed it herself and managed it very well.

mistressnounUS /ˈmɪstrəs/

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

Mittau

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

nativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɪtɪv/

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

officernounUS /ˈɔːfəsər/

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

permanentlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrmənəntli/

for a long time without essential change

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

pooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

profitnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/

the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

Prohorovna

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

relationsnounUS /riˈleɪʃənz/

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/

a native or inhabitant of Russia

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

slightestadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪtəst/

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

slipverbUS /slɪp/

move stealthily

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

spentadjectiveUS /spent/

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading On the day after his arrival he had made a great disturbance and almost beaten the lady of the house, calling her "du lumpenmamselle," though only the evening before he had called her in broken Russian: "sister and benefactor."

turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading She managed it herself and managed it very well.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

widownounUS /ˈwɪdoʊ/

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

wonnounUS /wʌn/

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna lived almost permanently on her pretty estate which had been won by the labours of her husband who had been an architect.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Lizaveta Prohorovna never let slip the slightest advantage; she turned everything into profit for herself; and this, as well as her extraordinary capacity for making a farthing do the work of a halfpenny, betrayed her German origin; in everything else she had become very Russian.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading Akim's former mistress, Lizaveta Prohorovna Kuntse, the widow of an officer of German extraction, was herself a native of Mittau, where she had spent the first years of her childhood and where she had numerous poor relations, about whom she concerned herself very little, especially after a casual visit from one of her brothers, an infantry officer of the line.

Chapter 3 of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev holds 421 sentences, grouped into 85 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 3 of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories contain?

Chapter 3 holds 421 sentences of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 421 sentences, grouped into 85 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 3 of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories?

Work through the 85 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 85 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

Questions about reading Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories

Common questions about reading Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories?

Yes. All 4485 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #7120 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #7120, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories take to read?

About 373 minutes of reading across 897 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories 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 Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories

Words and structures a reader meets early in Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Translated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Russian
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Constance
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Garnett
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.