Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
News from Nowhere
News from Nowhere

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of News from Nowhere is here in full — 293 sentences across 59 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for News from Nowhere
Context Illustration Reading 1/58 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.
What would you like to do?
Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"
"Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."
In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.
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.

News from Nowhere

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of News from Nowhere is here in full — 293 sentences across 59 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/58 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.
Line 2
What would you like to do?
/wʌt wʊd juː laɪk tuː duː/
Line 3
Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"
Line 4
"Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."
/wel sed aɪ æz aɪ æm ə ˈstreɪndʒər aɪ mʌst let juː tʃuːz fɔːr miː/
Line 5
In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.
/ɪn pɔɪnt ʌv fækt aɪ dɪd nɑːt baɪ ˈeni miːnz wɑːnt tuː biː əˈmjuːzd dʒʌst ðen ənd ˈɔːlsoʊ aɪ ˈræðər felt æz ɪf ðə oʊld mæn wɪð hɪz ˈnɑːlədʒ ʌv pæst taɪmz ənd ˈiːvɪn ə kaɪnd ʌv ˌɪnˈvɜːrtɪd ˈsɪmpəθi fɔːr ðem kɑːzd baɪ hɪz ˈæktɪv ˈheɪtrəd ʌv ðem wɑːz æz ɪt wɜːr ə ˈblæŋkət fɔːr miː əˈɡenst ðə koʊld ʌv ðɪs ˈveri nuː wɜːrld wer aɪ wɑːz soʊ tuː seɪ strɪpt ber ʌv ˈevəri həˈbɪtʃuːəl θɔːt ənd weɪ ʌv ˈæktɪŋ ənd aɪ dɪd nɑːt wɑːnt tuː liːv hɪm tuː suːn/

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.

acting noun US /ˈæktɪŋ/

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading “In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.”

blanket noun US /ˈblæŋkət/

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading “In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.”

habitual adjective US /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading “In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.”

hatred noun US /ˈheɪtrəd/

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

From this reading “In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.”

inverted adjective US /ˌɪnˈvɜːrtɪd/

being in such a position that top and bottom are reversed

From this reading “In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.”

stripped adjective US /strɪpt/

having only essential or minimal features

From this reading “In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.”

trot verb US /trɑːt/

run at a moderately swift pace

From this reading “Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"”

Welsh noun US /weltʃ/

a native or resident of Wales

From this reading “Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"”

All words in this reading · 115

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 Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

actingnounUS /ˈæktɪŋ/

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

after-dinner

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

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

amusedadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzd/

pleasantly occupied

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

bareadjectiveUS /ber/

completely unclothed

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

blanketnounUS /ˈblæŋkət/

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/

lacking funds

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

causedverbUS /kɑːzd/

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

chooseverbUS /tʃuːz/

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

CitynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

DicknounUS /dɪk/

someone who is a detective

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading What would you like to do?

dulness

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

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

feltverbUS /felt/

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

folknounUS /foʊk/

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

forgiveverbUS /fərˈɡɪv/

stop blaming or grant forgiveness

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

Greylocks

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

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

GuestnounUS /ɡest/

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

Hammersmith

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

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

hatrednounUS /ˈheɪtrəd/

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

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

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

invertedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɜːrtɪd/

being in such a position that top and bottom are reversed

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

leaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading What would you like to do?

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

pastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/

in the near future

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

Shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

singverbUS /sɪŋ/

deliver by singing

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/

having only essential or minimal features

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

sympathynounUS /ˈsɪmpəθi/

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

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

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading What would you like to do?

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

trotverbUS /trɑːt/

run at a moderately swift pace

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a little after-dinner dulness.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

WelladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "Well," said I, "as I am a stranger, I must let you choose for me."

WelshnounUS /weltʃ/

a native or resident of Wales

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What would you like to do?

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Shall we have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or would you like presently to come with me into the City and see some really fine building? or--what shall it be?"

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading In point of fact, I did not by any means want to be 'amused' just then; and also I rather felt as if the old man, with his knowledge of past times, and even a kind of inverted sympathy for them caused by his active hatred of them, was as it were a blanket for me against the cold of this very new world, where I was, so to say, stripped bare of every habitual thought and way of acting; and I did not want to leave him too soon.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading What would you like to do?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading What would you like to do?

Chapter 17 of News from Nowhere by William Morris holds 293 sentences, grouped into 59 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 17 of News from Nowhere contain?

Chapter 17 holds 293 sentences of News from Nowhere, unabridged, divided into 59 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of News from Nowhere by William Morris exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 293 sentences, grouped into 59 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 17 of News from Nowhere?

Work through the 59 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 59 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 News from Nowhere

Common questions about reading News from Nowhere by William Morris on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of News from Nowhere?

Yes. All 2621 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3261 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of News from Nowhere is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3261, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does News from Nowhere take to read?

About 218 minutes of reading across 525 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read News from Nowhere section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 32 chapters of News from Nowhere 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 News from Nowhere

Words and structures a reader meets early in News from Nowhere, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

League
A word that appears in the opening chapter of News from Nowhere; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Friend
A word that appears in the opening chapter of News from Nowhere; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Night
A word that appears in the opening chapter of News from Nowhere; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Brisk
A word that appears in the opening chapter of News from Nowhere; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.