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Mary Anderson
Mary Anderson

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Mary Anderson is here in full — 47 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Mary Anderson
Context Illustration Reading 1/9 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AT HOME.
Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.
The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.
About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.
The air is full of perfume.
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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.

Mary Anderson

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Mary Anderson is here in full — 47 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/9 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AT HOME.
/æt hoʊm/
Line 2
Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.
Line 3
The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.
/ðə ˈsʌltri deɪ hæz bɪn wʌn ʌv ˈsʌmər stɔːrm ənd ðə weɪvz ɑːr tɪpt stɪl wɪð krests ʌv ˈsnoʊi foʊm ðoʊ naʊ ðə sʌn ɪz ˈsɪŋkɪŋ ˈpiːsfəli tuː rest əˈmɪd bæŋks ʌv klaʊd əˈfleɪm wɪð roʊz ənd ˈvaɪəlɪt ənd ɡoʊld/
Line 4
About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.
Line 5
The air is full of perfume.
/ðə er ɪz fʊl ʌv pərˈfjuːm/

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.

aflame adjective US /əˈfleɪm/

keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement

From this reading “The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.”

America's noun US /əˈmerəkəz/

possessive form of “america” — 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 “Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.”

crests noun US /krests/

plural of “crest” — the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading “The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.”

rambling adjective US /ˈræmblɪŋ/

spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly

From this reading “About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.”

shrub noun US /ʃrʌb/

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading “About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.”

sultry adjective US /ˈsʌltri/

sexually exciting or gratifying

From this reading “The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.”

tipped adjective US /tɪpt/

having a tip; or having a tip as specified (used in combination)

From this reading “The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.”

villas noun US /ˈvɪləz/

plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)

From this reading “Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.”

All words in this reading · 101

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

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

acresnounUS /ˈeɪkərz/

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

aflameadjectiveUS /əˈfleɪm/

keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The air is full of perfume.

America'snounUS /əˈmerəkəz/

possessive form of “america” — 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 Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT HOME.

AtlanticnounUS /ətˈlæntɪk/

the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

banksnounUS /bæŋks/

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

bednounUS /bed/

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

bloomnounUS /bluːm/

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

BranchnounUS /bræntʃ/

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

cloudverbUS /klaʊd/

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

colornounUS /ˈkʌlər/

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

crestsnounUS /krests/

plural of “crest” — the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/

having a pattern of dots

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

embosomed

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

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

extentnounUS /ɪkˈstent/

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

foamnounUS /foʊm/

a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

frameverbUS /freɪm/

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/

coins made of gold

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

hillsnounUS /hɪlz/

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

HOMEnounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading AT HOME.

housenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

immediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

JerseynounUS /ˈdʒɜːrzi/

a Mid-Atlantic state on the Atlantic; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

LongadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

magnificentadjectiveUS /mæɡˈnɪfəsənt/

characterized by grandeur

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/

the common people generally

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

midsummernounUS /ˈmɪdˈsʌmər/

June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

milenounUS /maɪl/

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

parknounUS /pɑːrk/

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

peacefullyadverbUS /ˈpiːsfəli/

in a peaceful manner

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading The air is full of perfume.

picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

purplenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəl/

a purple color or pigment

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

ramblingadjectiveUS /ˈræmblɪŋ/

spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/

in a restless manner

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

Sharon

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

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

shrubnounUS /ʃrʌb/

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

snowyadjectiveUS /ˈsnoʊi/

marked by the presence of snow

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

softly-wooded

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

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

standsnounUS /stændz/

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

stormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

sultryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌltri/

sexually exciting or gratifying

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

sunlightnounUS /ˈsʌnlaɪt/

the rays of the sun

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/

closely encircling

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

tippedadjectiveUS /tɪpt/

having a tip; or having a tip as specified (used in combination)

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

villasnounUS /ˈvɪləz/

plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

violetnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/

any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

watering-places

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

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

wavesnounUS /weɪvz/

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading The sultry day has been one of summer storm, and the waves are tipped still with crests of snowy foam, though now the sun is sinking peacefully to rest amid banks of cloud, aflame with rose and violet and gold.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading About a mile back from the shore stands a rambling country house embosomed in a small park a few acres in extent, and immediately surrounding it masses of the magnificent shrub known as Rose of Sharon, in full bloom, in which the walls of snowy white, with their windows gleaming in the sunlight, seem set as in a bed of color.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Long Branch, one of America's most famous watering-places, in midsummer, its softly-wooded hills dotted here and there with picturesque "frame" villas of dazzling white, and below the purple Atlantic sweeping in restlessly on to the New Jersey shore.

Chapter 1 of Mary Anderson by J. Maurice Farrar holds 47 sentences, grouped into 10 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 Mary Anderson contain?

Chapter 1 holds 47 sentences of Mary Anderson, unabridged, divided into 10 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Mary Anderson by J. Maurice Farrar exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 47 sentences, grouped into 10 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 Mary Anderson?

Work through the 10 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 10 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 Mary Anderson

Common questions about reading Mary Anderson by J. Maurice Farrar on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Mary Anderson?

Yes. All 937 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #14758 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Mary Anderson is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #14758, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Mary Anderson take to read?

About 78 minutes of reading across 188 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Mary Anderson section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of Mary Anderson 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 Mary Anderson

Words and structures a reader meets early in Mary Anderson, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Branch
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mary Anderson; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
America's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mary Anderson; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Famous
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mary Anderson; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Watering-places
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mary Anderson; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.