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

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 68 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."
"I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.
"I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."
"An eavesdropper!" she repeated, looking puzzled.
"Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 68 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."
Line 2
"I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.
Line 3
"I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."
Line 4
"An eavesdropper!" she repeated, looking puzzled.
Line 5
"Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

All words in this reading · 75

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 That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

admit

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

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

advantage

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

am

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

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

an

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

as

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

ask

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

attracted

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

but

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

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

come

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

concern

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

continued

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

day

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

eavesdropper

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

Edith

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

encouragingly

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

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

evening

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

excusable

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

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

fear

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

for

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

had

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

has

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

have

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

having

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

him

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

I

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

impudence

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

in

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

indiscreet

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

intended

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

interval

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

is

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

it

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

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

listening

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

little

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

looking

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

From this reading "An eavesdropper!" she repeated, looking puzzled.

matter

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

music

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

my

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

not

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

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

notice

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

of

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

one

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

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

overheard

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

pieces

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

position

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

programme

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

puzzled

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

From this reading "An eavesdropper!" she repeated, looking puzzled.

question

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

quite

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

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

rather

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

repeated

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

From this reading "An eavesdropper!" she repeated, looking puzzled.

replied

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

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

rest

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

room

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

said

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

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

sat

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

say

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

seeming

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

she

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

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

some

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

speaker

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

sure

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

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

That

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

the

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

think

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

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

though

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

to

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

took

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

which

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

who

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

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

will

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

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

with

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

Yes

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

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

you

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

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

Chapter 23 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy holds 68 sentences, grouped into 14 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 23 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 contain?

Chapter 23 holds 68 sentences of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887, unabridged, divided into 14 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 68 sentences, grouped into 14 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 23 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887?

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

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

Can chapter 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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.