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Mike
Mike

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Mike is here in full — 304 sentences across 61 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Mike
Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.
In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.
But here they were alone.
A remark of Bob’s to Firby-Smith explained this.
“Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Mike

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Mike is here in full — 304 sentences across 61 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.
Line 2
In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.
Line 3
But here they were alone.
/bʌt hiːr ðeɪ wɜːr əˈloʊn/
Line 4
A remark of Bob’s to Firby-Smith explained this.
Line 5
“Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.

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.

Bob's noun US /bɑːbz/

possessive form of “bob” — a former monetary unit in Great Britain

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
buildings noun US /ˈbɪldɪŋz/

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading “In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
column noun US /ˈkɑːləm/

a line of units following one after another

From this reading “In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hats noun US /hæts/

plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading “In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mike noun US /maɪk/

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

From this reading “MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
platform noun US /ˈplætfɔːrm/

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading “MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
porters noun US /ˈpɔːrtərz/

plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading “In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
smashed adjective US /smæʃt/

very drunk

From this reading “In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 63

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 MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
alighting

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

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Pending verification
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading But here they were alone.

Velmora curated lexicon
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
another's

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

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Pending verification
backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Bob'snounUS /bɑːbz/

possessive form of “bob” — a former monetary unit in Great Britain

From this reading A remark of Bob’s to Firby-Smith explained this.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But here they were alone.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Can't

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

From this reading “Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.

Pending verification
chaffed

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

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Pending verification
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/

a line of units following one after another

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
explainedverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnd/

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading A remark of Bob’s to Firby-Smith explained this.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fellowsnounUS /ˈfeloʊz/

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading “Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FINDSnounUS /faɪndz/

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Firby-Smith

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

From this reading A remark of Bob’s to Firby-Smith explained this.

Pending verification
freeverbUS /friː/

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FRIENDLYadjectiveUS /ˈfrendli/

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hatsnounUS /hæts/

plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hereadverbUS /hiːr/

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

From this reading But here they were alone.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading “Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MIKEnounUS /maɪk/

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NATIVEadjectiveUS /ˈneɪtɪv/

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A remark of Bob’s to Firby-Smith explained this.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
platformnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrm/

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
portersnounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/

plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
readverbUS /red/

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
remarknounUS /rɪˈmɑːrk/

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading A remark of Bob’s to Firby-Smith explained this.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora curated lexicon
schoolnounUS /skuːl/

an educational institution

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/

very drunk

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

plural of “story” — 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

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading But here they were alone.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A remark of Bob’s to Firby-Smith explained this.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
trainverbUS /treɪn/

create by training and teaching

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading But here they were alone.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading In all the stories he had read the whole school came back by the same train, and, having smashed in one another’s hats and chaffed the porters, made their way to the school buildings in a solid column.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading “Can’t make out why none of the fellows came back by this train,” he said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Wrykynians

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

From this reading MIKE FINDS A FRIENDLY NATIVE Mike was surprised to find, on alighting, that the platform was entirely free from Wrykynians.

Pending verification

Chapter 2 of Mike by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse holds 304 sentences, grouped into 61 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 2 of Mike contain?

Chapter 2 holds 304 sentences of Mike, unabridged, divided into 61 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Mike by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 304 sentences, grouped into 61 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 2 of Mike?

Work through the 61 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 61 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Mike

Common questions about reading Mike by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Mike?

Yes. All 8822 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #7423 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Mike is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #7423, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Mike take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1765 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Mike section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Mike 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 Mike

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

Seeing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mike; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Holidays
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mike; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Imposing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mike; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Spectacle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mike; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.