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Tales and Fantasies

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of Tales and Fantasies is here in full — 58 sentences across 12 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Robert Louis Stevenson • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Tales and Fantasies

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

Mr. Naseby looked up, indignant.

‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

Narrator

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.

Tales and Fantasies Robert Louis Stevenson

Cover illustration for Tales and Fantasies

Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of Tales and Fantasies is here in full — 58 sentences across 12 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired. ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty. My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’ Mr. Naseby looked up, indignant. ‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

Tales and Fantasies

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of Tales and Fantasies is here in full — 58 sentences across 12 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

Line 2

‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

Line 3

My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

Line 4

Mr. Naseby looked up, indignant.

Line 5

‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

All words in this reading · 70

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 IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

am

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

as

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

ask

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

attired

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

been

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

brooding

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

business

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

but

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

cannot

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

From this reading ‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

card

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

come

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

common

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

From this reading ‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

discuss

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

From this reading ‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

does

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

duty

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

editor

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

fancy

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

From this reading ‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

for

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

gentleman

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

has

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

have

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

he

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

hectic

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

here

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

him

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

his

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

I

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

in

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

indignant

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

From this reading Mr. Naseby looked up, indignant.

intrusion

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

IT

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

know

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

later

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

little

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

looked

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

From this reading Mr. Naseby looked up, indignant.

may

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

Mr

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

much

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

From this reading ‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

My

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

Naseby

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

not

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

of

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

old

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

on

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

pardon

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

perform

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

perhaps

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

said

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

sat

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

sent

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

shabbily

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

shown

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

Star

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

study

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

tell

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

that

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

the

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

there

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

this

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

Thymebury

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

to

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

From this reading ‘I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,’ he said; ‘but I come here to perform a duty.

up

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

From this reading Mr. Naseby looked up, indignant.

upon

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

urgent

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

was

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

we

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

From this reading ‘I cannot fancy,’ he said, ‘that we have much in common to discuss.’

week

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

From this reading IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.

what

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

you

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

From this reading My card has been sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell you, that I am the editor of the _Thymebury Star_.’

Chapter 18 of Tales and Fantasies by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 58 sentences, grouped into 12 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 18 of Tales and Fantasies contain?

Chapter 18 holds 58 sentences of Tales and Fantasies, unabridged, divided into 12 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of Tales and Fantasies by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 58 sentences, grouped into 12 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 18 of Tales and Fantasies?

Work through the 12 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 12 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 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 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 Tales and Fantasies

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

Is this the complete text of Tales and Fantasies?

Yes. All 2496 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #426 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tales and Fantasies is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #426, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tales and Fantasies take to read?

About 208 minutes of reading across 500 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tales and Fantasies section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 18 chapters of Tales and Fantasies to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in Tales and Fantasies

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

Varey: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales and Fantasies; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Nicholson: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales and Fantasies; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stupid: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales and Fantasies; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stupider: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales and Fantasies; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.