Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Life and Lillian Gish
Life and Lillian Gish

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Life and Lillian Gish is here in full — 402 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Albert Bigelow Paine • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Life and Lillian Gish
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Set up and printed.
Published October, 1932.
_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.
“‘What are you looking at, Lillian?’
Mrs. Gish has asked for years.
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.

Life and Lillian Gish

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Life and Lillian Gish is here in full — 402 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Set up and printed.
/set ʌp ənd ˈprɪntɪd/
Line 2
Published October, 1932.
Line 3
_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.
Line 4
“‘What are you looking at, Lillian?’
Line 5
Mrs. Gish has asked for years.
/ˈmɪsɪz dʒɪʃ hæz æskt fɔːr jɪrz/

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.

ash noun US /æʃ/

the residue that remains when something is burned

From this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
blond adjective US /blɑːnd/

being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or grey eyes

From this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
California noun US /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Gish noun US /dʒɪʃ/

United States film actress who appeared in films by D. W. Griffith (1896-1993)

From this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ives noun US /aɪvz/

United States composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)

From this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
October noun US /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading “Published October, 1932.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
relaxed adjective US /rɪˈlækst/

without strain or anxiety

From this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sits verb US /sɪts/

third-person singular of “sit” — be seated

From this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

blond hair adjective + noun

In this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

566 times in 426,211 chapters
into the depths preposition + article + noun counted as “into … depths”

In this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

2,582 times in 426,211 chapters
window seat noun + noun

a bench or similar seat built into a window recess

In this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

538 times in 426,211 chapters
Set up verb + adjective

set up or found

In this reading “Set up and printed.”

20,893 times in 426,211 chapters
for hours preposition + noun

In this reading “_Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.”

11,150 times in 426,211 chapters
for years preposition + noun

In this reading “Mrs. Gish has asked for years.”

21,596 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 53

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.

1932

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

From this reading Published October, 1932.

Pending verification
AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Set up and printed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “‘What are you looking at, Lillian?’

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ashnounUS /æʃ/

the residue that remains when something is burned

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Mrs. Gish has asked for years.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “‘What are you looking at, Lillian?’

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
blondadjectiveUS /blɑːnd/

being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or grey eyes

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
COMPANYnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
depthsnounUS /depθs/

(plural) the deepest and most remote part

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dressedadjectiveUS /drest/

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
GishnounUS /dʒɪʃ/

United States film actress who appeared in films by D. W. Griffith (1896-1993)

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hairnounUS /her/

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Mrs. Gish has asked for years.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IVESnounUS /aɪvz/

United States composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JnounUS /dʒeɪ/

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Lillian

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

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Pending verification
LITTLEadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

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

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Gish has asked for years.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NEWadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading Published October, 1932.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
organdienoun

a sheer stiff muslin

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
printedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading Set up and printed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PublishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading Published October, 1932.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/

without strain or anxiety

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seatnounUS /siːt/

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SetverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Set up and printed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sitsverbUS /sɪts/

third-person singular of “sit” — be seated

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
StatesnounUS /steɪts/

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Tranquillyadverb

without emotional agitation

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Set up and printed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “‘What are you looking at, Lillian?’

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading Mrs. Gish has asked for years.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
YORKnounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading _Printed, in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK “Tranquilly, Lillian Gish sits, dressed in white organdie, her ash blond hair down her back, relaxed on the window seat, looking out for hours into the depths of the California night.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “‘What are you looking at, Lillian?’

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 1 of Life and Lillian Gish by Albert Bigelow Paine holds 402 sentences, grouped into 81 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 Life and Lillian Gish contain?

Chapter 1 holds 402 sentences of Life and Lillian Gish, unabridged, divided into 81 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Life and Lillian Gish by Albert Bigelow Paine exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 402 sentences, grouped into 81 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 Life and Lillian Gish?

Work through the 81 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 81 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 Life and Lillian Gish

Common questions about reading Life and Lillian Gish by Albert Bigelow Paine on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Life and Lillian Gish?

Yes. All 4733 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #55169 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Life and Lillian Gish is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #55169, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Life and Lillian Gish take to read?

About 394 minutes of reading across 947 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Life and Lillian Gish section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of Life and Lillian Gish 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 Life and Lillian Gish

Words and structures a reader meets early in Life and Lillian Gish, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Printed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life and Lillian Gish; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Published
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life and Lillian Gish; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
October
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life and Lillian Gish; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
United
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life and Lillian Gish; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.