Mary, Mary

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Mary, Mary is here in full — 447 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By James Stephens • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

_Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

If any of James Stephens' books might be thought to have need of an Introduction it would be the delightful story that is called "Mary, Mary" on one side of the Atlantic Ocean and "The Charwoman's Daughter" on the other.

It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter I Reading 1/89

Mary, Mary James Stephens

Chapter I

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Mary, Mary is here in full — 447 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

_Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B. If any of James Stephens' books might be thought to have need of an Introduction it would be the delightful story that is called "Mary, Mary" on one side of the Atlantic Ocean and "The Charwoman's Daughter" on the other. It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies." In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review." They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

Mary, Mary

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Mary, Mary is here in full — 447 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

_Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

Line 2

Line 3

It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

Line 4

In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

Line 5

They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

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.

Atlantic noun US /ətˈlæntɪk/

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

From this reading “If any of James Stephens' books might be thought to have need of an Introduction it would be the delightful story that is called "Mary, Mary" on one side of the Atlantic Ocean and "The Charwoman's Daughter" on the other.”

bethel noun US /ˈbeθəl/

a house of worship (especially one for sailors)

From this reading “_Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.”

establish verb US /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/

set up or found

From this reading “In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."”

Houston noun US /ˈhjuːstən/

the largest city in Texas; located in southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico; site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

From this reading “They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.”

Introduction noun US /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/

the act of beginning something new

mordant adjective US /ˈmɔːrdənt/

harshly ironic or sinister

From this reading “It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."”

Review noun US /ˌriːˈvjuː/

a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading “In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."”

Stephens noun US /ˈstiːvənz/

plural of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)

All words in this reading · 76

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.

1910

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

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

1911

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

From this reading In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

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

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading If any of James Stephens' books might be thought to have need of an Introduction it would be the delightful story that is called "Mary, Mary" on one side of the Atlantic Ocean and "The Charwoman's Daughter" on the other.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

AtlanticnounUS /ətˈlæntɪk/

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

authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

BnounUS /biː/

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

belongverbUS /bɪˈlɔːŋ/

be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

BETHELnounUS /ˈbeθəl/

a house of worship (especially one for sailors)

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

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

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

Charwoman's

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

DaughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/

a female human offspring

DavidnounUS /ˈdeɪvɪd/

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

delightfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/

greatly pleasing or entertaining

establishverbUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/

set up or found

From this reading In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

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 It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

HereadverbUS /hiːr/

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

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

HoustonnounUS /ˈhjuːstən/

the largest city in Texas; located in southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico; site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

From this reading They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

Insurrections

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

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

IntroductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/

the act of beginning something new

IrishnounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃ/

people of Ireland or of Irish extraction

From this reading In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

JamesnounUS /dʒeɪmz/

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

LadiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

MacDonagh

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

From this reading They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

MarynounUS /ˈmeri/

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

mordantadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrdənt/

harshly ironic or sinister

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

OceannounUS /ˈoʊʃən/

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

PrintedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

ReviewnounUS /ˌriːˈvjuː/

a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

SOLOMONSnoun

the northernmost islands are part of Papua New Guinea; the remainder form an independent state within the British Commonwealth

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

StatesnounUS /steɪts/

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

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

StephensnounUS /ˈstiːvənz/

plural of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)

storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading In 1911 four people came together to establish "The Irish Review."

UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ BETHEL SOLOMONS, M.B.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were David Houston, Thomas MacDonagh, James Stephens and the present writer.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

writernounUS /ˈraɪtər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading It was written in 1910, when the author was known as the poet of "Insurrections" and the writer of a few of the mordant studies that belong to a later book, "Here Are Ladies."

Chapter 1 of Mary, Mary by James Stephens holds 447 sentences, grouped into 90 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, Mary contain?

Chapter 1 holds 447 sentences of Mary, Mary, unabridged, divided into 90 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Mary, Mary by James Stephens exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 447 sentences, grouped into 90 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, Mary?

Work through the 90 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 90 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, Mary

Common questions about reading Mary, Mary by James Stephens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Mary, Mary?

Yes. All 1604 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #24742 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Mary, Mary is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #24742, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Mary, Mary take to read?

About 133 minutes of reading across 321 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Mary, Mary section by section

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

Open a chapter

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Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Mary, Mary

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

Printed: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mary, Mary; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
United: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mary, Mary; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
States: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mary, Mary; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
America: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mary, Mary; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter I · Chapter 1

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