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Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend

Chapter XXXVI · Chapter 36

Chapter 36 of Our Mutual Friend is here in full — 222 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Our Mutual Friend
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE DOLLS DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.
When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Our Mutual Friend

Chapter XXXVI · Chapter 36

Chapter 36 of Our Mutual Friend is here in full — 222 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE DOLLSDRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
Line 2
Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
Line 3
He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
Line 4
Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.
Line 5
When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.”

All words in this reading · 91

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.

A

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

ago

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

and

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

anger

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

arms

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

arrival

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

From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.

at

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

back

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

bandaged

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

bed

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

before

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

bound

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

brow

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

by

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

closed

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

From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.

darkened

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

days

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

DISCOVERS

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

DOLLS

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

DRESSMAKER

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

expression

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

eyes

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

From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.

faint

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

familiarized

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

figure

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

flowing

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

for

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

had

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

From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.

He

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

From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.

held

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

helpless

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

her

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

From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.

his

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

From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.

hushed

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

in

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

into

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

it

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

its

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

knitted

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

little

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

lying

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

meaning

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

moment

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

moved

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

From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.

no

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

occupied

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

ocean

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

of

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

on

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

one

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

Only

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.

or

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

outside

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

place

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

recollections

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

river

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

room

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

scarcely

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

From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.

scene

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

sides

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

since

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

From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.

so

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

Sometimes

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

From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.

splints

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

spot

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

stare

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

straight

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

surprise

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

swathed

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

that

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

THE

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

their

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

them

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

there

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

they

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

this

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

to

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

two

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

unless

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

unwinking

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

usage

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

useless

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

vast

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

was

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

were

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

From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.

When

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

From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.

windows

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

with

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

WORD

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

From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.

years

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

From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.

Chapter 36 of Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens holds 222 sentences, grouped into 45 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 36 of Our Mutual Friend contain?

Chapter 36 holds 222 sentences of Our Mutual Friend, unabridged, divided into 45 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 36 of Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 222 sentences, grouped into 45 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 36 of Our Mutual Friend?

Work through the 45 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 45 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 36 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 36 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 Our Mutual Friend

Common questions about reading Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Our Mutual Friend?

Yes. All 19192 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #883 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Our Mutual Friend is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #883, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Our Mutual Friend take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 3839 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Our Mutual Friend section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Our Mutual Friend 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 Our Mutual Friend

Words and structures a reader meets early in Our Mutual Friend, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

These
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Our Mutual Friend; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Times
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Our Mutual Friend; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Though
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Our Mutual Friend; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Concerning
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Our Mutual Friend; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.