Notwithstanding

Chapter XXVI

Chapter 26 of Notwithstanding is here in full — 279 sentences across 56 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Mary Cholmondeley • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

"Early in the day it was whispered that we should sail in a boat, only thou and I, and never a soul in the world would know of this our pilgrimage to no country and to no end."--RABINDRA NATH TAGORE.

Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

But his interest in others amounted to a passion.

He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

Narrator

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XXVI Reading 1/55

Notwithstanding Mary Cholmondeley

Chapter XXVI

Chapter 26 of Notwithstanding is here in full — 279 sentences across 56 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

"Early in the day it was whispered that we should sail in a boat, only thou and I, and never a soul in the world would know of this our pilgrimage to no country and to no end."--RABINDRA NATH TAGORE. Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole. But his interest in others amounted to a passion. He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion. The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

Notwithstanding

Chapter XXVI

Chapter 26 of Notwithstanding is here in full — 279 sentences across 56 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/55 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

"Early in the day it was whispered that we should sail in a boat, only thou and I, and never a soul in the world would know of this our pilgrimage to no country and to no end."--RABINDRA NATH TAGORE.

Line 2

Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

Line 3

But his interest in others amounted to a passion.

Line 4

He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

/hiː druː ˈsloʊli θruː hɪz hænd ə ˈlɪtəl tʃeɪn ˈlʊkɪŋ æt iːtʃ lɪŋk wɪð ˈkaɪndli kəmˈpæʃən/

Line 5

The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

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.

amounted verb US /əˈmaʊntɪd/

past form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to

From this reading “But his interest in others amounted to a passion.”

compassion noun US /kəmˈpæʃən/

a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

From this reading “He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.”

designate verb US /ˈdezəɡneɪt/

assign a name or title to

From this reading “Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.”

keyhole noun US /ˈkiːhoʊl/

the hole where a key is inserted

From this reading “Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.”

kneeling noun US /ˈniːlɪŋ/

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading “Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.”

link verb US /lɪŋk/

make a logical or causal connection

From this reading “He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.”

maligned verb US /məˈlaɪnd/

past form of “malign” — speak unfavorably about

From this reading “The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.”

pilgrimage noun US /ˈpɪlɡrəmədʒ/

a journey to a sacred place

From this reading “"Early in the day it was whispered that we should sail in a boat, only thou and I, and never a soul in the world would know of this our pilgrimage to no country and to no end."--RABINDRA NATH TAGORE.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

at a keyhole preposition + article + noun counted as “at … keyhole”

In this reading “Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.”

in the world preposition + article + noun counted as “in … world”

In this reading “"Early in the day it was whispered that we should sail in a boat, only thou and I, and never a soul in the world would know of this our pilgrimage to no country and to no end."--RABINDRA NATH TAGORE.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 "Early in the day it was whispered that we should sail in a boat, only thou and I, and never a soul in the world would know of this our pilgrimage to no country and to no end."--RABINDRA NATH TAGORE.

amountedverbUS /əˈmaʊntɪd/

past form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to

From this reading But his interest in others amounted to a passion.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

Annette

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

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

boatnounUS /boʊt/

a small vessel for travel on water

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But his interest in others amounted to a passion.

chainnounUS /tʃeɪn/

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

compassionnounUS /kəmˈpæʃən/

a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

designateverbUS /ˈdezəɡneɪt/

assign a name or title to

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

drewnounUS /druː/

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

fellow-creatures

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

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But his interest in others amounted to a passion.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

Janey's

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

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

keyholenounUS /ˈkiːhoʊl/

the hole where a key is inserted

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

kindlyadjectiveUS /ˈkaɪndli/

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

linkverbUS /lɪŋk/

make a logical or causal connection

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

malignedverbUS /məˈlaɪnd/

past form of “malign” — speak unfavorably about

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

NATH

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

nephewnounUS /ˈnefjuː/

a son of your brother or sister

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

others

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

From this reading But his interest in others amounted to a passion.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

passionnounUS /ˈpæʃən/

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading But his interest in others amounted to a passion.

pilgrimagenounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəmədʒ/

a journey to a sacred place

qualitynounUS /ˈkwɑːləti/

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

RABINDRA

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

sailverbUS /seɪl/

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

soulnounUS /soʊl/

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

Stirling

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

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

TAGOREnoun

Indian writer and philosopher whose poetry (based on traditional Hindu themes) pioneered the use of colloquial Bengali (1861-1941)

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

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/

without awareness

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The first link had been the expression in Janey's eyes when his nephew had unconsciously maligned Annette.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Mr. Stirling had no curiosity--that quality which in ourselves we designate as interest in our fellow-creatures, even while we are kneeling at a keyhole.

whisperedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪspərd/

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He drew slowly through his hand a little chain, looking at each link with kindly compassion.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

Chapter 26 of Notwithstanding by Mary Cholmondeley holds 279 sentences, grouped into 56 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 26 of Notwithstanding contain?

Chapter 26 holds 279 sentences of Notwithstanding, unabridged, divided into 56 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 26 of Notwithstanding by Mary Cholmondeley exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 279 sentences, grouped into 56 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 26 of Notwithstanding?

Work through the 56 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 56 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 26 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 26 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 Notwithstanding

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

Is this the complete text of Notwithstanding?

Yes. All 5817 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #37781 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Notwithstanding is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #37781, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 484 minutes of reading across 1164 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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

Vocabulary met early in Notwithstanding

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

Vient: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notwithstanding; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Travers: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notwithstanding; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Montagne: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notwithstanding; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rendu: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notwithstanding; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XXVI

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