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Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887
Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 100 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
"I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 100 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
Line 2
"I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
Line 3
It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
Line 4
Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
Line 5
Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

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.

Alone adjective US /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading “When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.”

All words in this reading · 102

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

able

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

all

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

am

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

and

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

as

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

balance

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

be

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

bear

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

bed

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

been

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

better

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

bird

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

but

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

by

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

century

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

chance

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

companion

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

company

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

converse

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

could

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

course

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

decidedly

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

disposition

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

Dr

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

dread

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

evening

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

felt

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

flattery

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

for

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

forward

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

friendly

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

had

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

has

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

he

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

him

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

I

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

if

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

imagined

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

in

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

inclined

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

interest

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

interesting

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

is

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

it

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

keep

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

ladies

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

late

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

leaving

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

Leete

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

like

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

looking

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

man

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

may

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

me

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

mental

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

more

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

most

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

my

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

myself

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

night

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

nineteenth

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

not

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

nothing

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

Now

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

of

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

often

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

on

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

one

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

please

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

ready

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

retired

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

retiring

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

said

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

say

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

saying

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

scarcely

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

should

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

sleep

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

some

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

sounded

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

stimulated

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

strangers

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

supported

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

Surrounded

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

suspicion

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

sympathetic

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

than

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

that

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

the

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

their

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

these

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

From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.

time

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

From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.

to

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

wakefulness

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

was

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

When

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

with

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

From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."

without

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

would

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

From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.

yourself

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

From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.

Chapter 5 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy holds 100 sentences, grouped into 20 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 5 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 contain?

Chapter 5 holds 100 sentences of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 100 sentences, grouped into 20 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 5 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887?

Work through the 20 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 20 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Common questions about reading Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887?

Yes. All 3150 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #624 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #624, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 take to read?

About 262 minutes of reading across 630 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 section by section

How to work through Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 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 Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Words and structures a reader meets early in Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Light
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Eighteen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.