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The Absentee
The Absentee

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Absentee is here in full — 211 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Maria Edgeworth • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Absentee
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.
A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'
The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:
Her mother's maiden name was ST.
OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.
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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.

The Absentee

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Absentee is here in full — 211 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.
Line 2
A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'
Line 3
The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:
Line 4
Her mother's maiden name was ST.
Line 5
OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.

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.

assiduous adjective US /əˈsɪdwəs/

marked by care and persistent effort

From this reading “A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
balls noun US /bɔːlz/

plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading “A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bath noun US /bæθ/

a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)

From this reading “A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eagerness noun US /ˈiːɡərnəs/

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading “A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
faux adjective US /fɔːks/

not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

From this reading “OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
impatience noun US /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading “Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pas noun US /pɑːz/

(ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)

From this reading “OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Rheumatism noun US /ˈruːmətɪzəm/

any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues

From this reading “A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 67

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 A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
answerverbUS /ˈænsər/

react verbally

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ArthurnounUS /ˈɑːrθər/

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
assiduousadjectiveUS /əˈsɪdwəs/

marked by care and persistent effort

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/

plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bathnounUS /bæθ/

a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Berryl

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

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Pending verification
Broadhurst

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

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Pending verification
Buxton

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

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Pending verification
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Clonbrony

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

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Pending verification
Colambre

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

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Pending verification
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FAUXadjectiveUS /fɔːks/

not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

From this reading OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
followsverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊz/

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FRIENDnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
GracenounUS /ɡreɪs/

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/

highest in quality

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her mother's maiden name was ST.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/

a search for knowledge

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LordnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
maidennounUS /ˈmeɪdən/

an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading Her mother's maiden name was ST.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MissverbUS /mɪs/

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

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Her mother's maiden name was ST.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Nugent

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

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

Pending verification
Nugent's

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

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Pending verification
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OMAR

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

From this reading OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.

Pending verification
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
PASnounUS /pɑːz/

(ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)

From this reading OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
passedverbUS /pæst/

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
readverbUS /red/

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The name of Grace Nugent he found at last, and read as follows:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RheumatismnounUS /ˈruːmətɪzəm/

any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ST

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

From this reading Her mother's maiden name was ST.

Pending verification
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading OMAR; and there was a FAUX PAS, certainly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
waitedverbUS /ˈweɪtɪd/

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Her mother's maiden name was ST.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Lord Colambre had waited with great impatience for an answer to the letter of inquiry which he had written about Miss Nugent's mother.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading A letter from Lady Clonbrony arrived; he opened it with the greatest eagerness--passed over 'Rheumatism warm weather--warm bath--Buxton balls--Miss Broadhurst--your FRIEND, Sir Arthur Berryl, very assiduous!'

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 10 of The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth holds 211 sentences, grouped into 43 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 10 of The Absentee contain?

Chapter 10 holds 211 sentences of The Absentee, unabridged, divided into 43 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 211 sentences, grouped into 43 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 10 of The Absentee?

Work through the 43 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 43 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 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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 The Absentee

Common questions about reading The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Absentee?

Yes. All 4013 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1473 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Absentee is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1473, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Absentee take to read?

About 334 minutes of reading across 803 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Absentee section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of The Absentee 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 The Absentee

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Absentee, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

August
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Absentee; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wrote
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Absentee; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Absentee; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Landlords
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Absentee; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.