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

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Peter Simple is here in full — 199 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Peter Simple
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.
When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.
He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."
He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.
He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.
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.

Peter Simple

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Peter Simple is here in full — 199 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.
Line 2
When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.
/wen wiː stɑːpt aɪ ˌɪnˈkwaɪərd ʌv ðə ˈkoʊtʃmən wɪtʃ wɑːz ðə best ɪn/
Line 3
He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."
Line 4
He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.
Line 5
He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.
/hiː ðen æskt miː tuː rɪˈmɛm.bər ðə ˈkoʊtʃmən wɪtʃ baɪ ðɪs taɪm aɪ hæd faʊnd aʊt ˌɪmˈplaɪd ðæt aɪ wɑːz nɑːt tuː fərˈɡet tuː ɡɪv hɪm ə ˈʃɪlɪŋ wɪtʃ aɪ dɪd ənd ðen went ˈɪntuː ðə ɪn/

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.

coachman noun US /ˈkoʊtʃmən/

a man who drives a coach (or carriage)

From this reading “When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.”

implied verb US /ˌɪmˈplaɪd/

inflected form of “imply” — express or state indirectly

From this reading “He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.”

joking adjective US /ˈdʒoʊkɪŋ/

characterized by jokes and good humor

From this reading “He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.”

midshipmen noun US /ˈmɪdˈʃɪpmen/

plural of “midshipman” — a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training

From this reading “He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."”

posts noun US /poʊsts/

plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand

From this reading “I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.”

resorted verb US /rɪˈzɔːrtɪd/

past form of “resort” — have recourse to

From this reading “He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.”

scrape verb US /skreɪp/

scratch repeatedly

From this reading “I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.”

shilling noun US /ˈʃɪlɪŋ/

the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents

From this reading “He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

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

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

breakfastesses

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

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

CallverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

chestesses

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

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

coach-office

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

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

coachmannounUS /ˈkoʊtʃmən/

a man who drives a coach (or carriage)

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

FindverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

forgetverbUS /fərˈɡet/

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

hotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

impliedverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪd/

inflected form of “imply” — express or state indirectly

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

innnounUS /ɪn/

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

inquiredverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərd/

past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

jokingadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊkɪŋ/

characterized by jokes and good humor

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

laughedverbUS /læft/

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

leaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

meetingnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

midshipmennounUS /ˈmɪdˈʃɪpmen/

plural of “midshipman” — a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

overcomeverbUS /ˈoʊvərkʌm/

win a victory over

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

payverbUS /peɪ/

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/

having a point

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

Postesses

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

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

PostsnounUS /poʊsts/

plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

resortedverbUS /rɪˈzɔːrtɪd/

past form of “resort” — have recourse to

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/

(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

scrapeverbUS /skreɪp/

scratch repeatedly

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

shillingnounUS /ˈʃɪlɪŋ/

the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

sooneradverbUS /ˈsuːnər/

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

teanounUS /tiː/

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

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

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

toastesses

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

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He then asked me to remember the coachman, which, by this time I had found out implied that I was not to forget to give him a shilling, which I did, and then went into the inn.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading He answered "that it was the Blue Postesses, where the midshipmen leave their chestesses, call for tea and toastesses, and sometimes forget to pay for their breakfastesses."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading When we stopped, I inquired of the coachman which was the best inn.

wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He laughed when he said it, and I thought that he was joking with me; but he pointed out two large blue posts at the door next the coach-office, and told me that all the midshipmen resorted to that hotel.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading I am made to look very blue at the Blue Posts--Find wild spirits around, and, soon after, hot spirits within me; at length my spirits overcome me Call to pay my respects to the Captain, and find that I had had the pleasure of meeting him before--No sooner out of one scrape than into another.

Chapter 2 of Peter Simple by Frederick Marryat holds 199 sentences, grouped into 40 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of Peter Simple contain?

Chapter 2 holds 199 sentences of Peter Simple, unabridged, divided into 40 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Peter Simple by Frederick Marryat exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 199 sentences, grouped into 40 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of Peter Simple?

Work through the 40 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 40 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Peter Simple

Common questions about reading Peter Simple by Frederick Marryat on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Peter Simple?

Yes. All 9055 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #13148 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Peter Simple is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #13148, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Peter Simple take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1811 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Peter Simple section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of Peter Simple 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 Peter Simple

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

Great
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Peter Simple; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Advantage
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Peter Simple; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Being
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Peter Simple; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Family--my
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Peter Simple; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.