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St. Ives
St. Ives

Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

Chapter 29 of St. Ives is here in full — 277 sentences across 56 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for St. Ives
Context Illustration Reading 1/55 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This day began with a surprise.
I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.
Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’
When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.
Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.
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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.

St. Ives

Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

Chapter 29 of St. Ives is here in full — 277 sentences across 56 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
This day began with a surprise.
Line 2
I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.
Line 3
Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’
Line 4
When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.
Line 5
Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

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.

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 This day began with a surprise.

addressed

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

after

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

all

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

From this reading ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’

and

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

as

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

Assembly

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

at

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

Ball

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

be

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

began

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

From this reading This day began with a surprise.

beyond

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

breakfast-table

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

card

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

composing

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

Conscience

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

From this reading ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’

cowards

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

From this reading ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’

day

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

From this reading This day began with a surprise.

doth

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

From this reading ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’

Ducie

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

Edward

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

enclosing

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

Esquire

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

evening

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

far

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

fell

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

finished

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

first

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

for

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

found

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

from

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

great

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

had

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

having

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

him

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

I

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

in

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

it

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

lawyer

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

letter

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

light

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

make

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

From this reading ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’

marked

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

measure

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

my

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

not

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

note

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

octave

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

of

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

From this reading ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’

off

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

on

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

one

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

only

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

opened

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

preference

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

proved

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

Ronald

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

Rowley

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

sat

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

segar

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

share

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

Shortly

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

shown

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

sitting-room

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

spirit

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

startled

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

suddenly

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

surprise

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

From this reading This day began with a surprise.

that

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

the

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

This

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

From this reading This day began with a surprise.

Thursday

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

to

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

tootling

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

upper

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

us

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

From this reading ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’

was

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

From this reading I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.

When

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

From this reading When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.

windows

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

with

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

From this reading This day began with a surprise.

work

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

From this reading Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.

Chapter 29 of St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 277 sentences, grouped into 56 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 29 of St. Ives contain?

Chapter 29 holds 277 sentences of St. Ives, unabridged, divided into 56 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 29 of St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 277 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 29 of St. Ives?

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 29 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 29 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 St. Ives

Common questions about reading St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of St. Ives?

Yes. All 5601 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #322 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of St. Ives is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #322, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does St. Ives take to read?

About 466 minutes of reading across 1121 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read St. Ives section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of St. Ives 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 St. Ives

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

Month
A word that appears in the opening chapter of St. Ives; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Unlucky
A word that appears in the opening chapter of St. Ives; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hands
A word that appears in the opening chapter of St. Ives; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Enemy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of St. Ives; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.