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Quality Street: A Comedy
Quality Street: A Comedy

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Quality Street: A Comedy is here in full — 458 sentences across 92 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Quality Street: A Comedy
Context Illustration Reading 1/91 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
(_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.
Ah, here is Miss Livvy.
(_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.
This--this is my niece, Livvy--Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.
VALENTINE.
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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.

Quality Street: A Comedy

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Quality Street: A Comedy is here in full — 458 sentences across 92 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/91 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
(_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.
/bʌt bɪˈfɔːr ʃiː kæn ɡoʊ əˈnʌðər ˈleɪdi ˈentərz ˈɡeɪli ˈvæləntaɪn/
Line 2
Ah, here is Miss Livvy.
Line 3
(_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.
Line 4
This--this is my niece, Livvy--Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.
Line 5
VALENTINE.
/ˈvæləntaɪn/

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.

bonnet noun US /ˈbɑːnət/

a hat tied under the chin

From this reading “(_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.”

culprit noun US /ˈkʌlprɪt/

someone who perpetrates wrongdoing

From this reading “(_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.”

enters verb US /ˈentərz/

third-person singular of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading “(_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.”

gaily adverb US /ˈɡeɪli/

in a gay manner

From this reading “(_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.”

obscures verb US /əbsˈkjʊrz/

third-person singular of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading “(_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.”

pulls noun US /pʊlz/

plural of “pull” — the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading “(_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.”

strings noun US /strɪŋz/

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading “(_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.”

valentine noun US /ˈvæləntaɪn/

a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day

From this reading “(_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.”

All words in this reading · 43

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.

Ah

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

From this reading Ah, here is Miss Livvy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/

a hat tied under the chin

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

culpritnounUS /ˈkʌlprɪt/

someone who perpetrates wrongdoing

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

entersverbUS /ˈentərz/

third-person singular of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

FannynounUS /ˈfæni/

the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on

From this reading This--this is my niece, Livvy--Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.

gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/

in a gay manner

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

Henrietta

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

From this reading This--this is my niece, Livvy--Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.

HENRIETTA'S

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

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

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

From this reading Ah, here is Miss Livvy.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Ah, here is Miss Livvy.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

Livvy

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

From this reading Ah, here is Miss Livvy.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Ah, here is Miss Livvy.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This--this is my niece, Livvy--Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.

niecenounUS /niːs/

a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading This--this is my niece, Livvy--Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.

obscuresverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrz/

third-person singular of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

pullsnounUS /pʊlz/

plural of “pull” — the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/

with speed

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

stringsnounUS /strɪŋz/

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

SUSAN

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

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This--this is my niece, Livvy--Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

VALENTINEnounUS /ˈvæləntaɪn/

a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day

From this reading (_But before she can go another lady enters gaily._) VALENTINE.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading (_The true culprit is more cunning than_ MISS SUSAN, _and before they can see her she quickly pulls the strings of her bonnet, which is like_ MISS HENRIETTA'S, _and it obscures her face._) MISS SUSAN.

Willoughby

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

From this reading This--this is my niece, Livvy--Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.

Chapter 4 of Quality Street: A Comedy by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie holds 458 sentences, grouped into 92 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 4 of Quality Street: A Comedy contain?

Chapter 4 holds 458 sentences of Quality Street: A Comedy, unabridged, divided into 92 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Quality Street: A Comedy by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 458 sentences, grouped into 92 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 4 of Quality Street: A Comedy?

Work through the 92 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 92 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.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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.

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Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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