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The Age of Innocence
The Age of Innocence

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The Age of Innocence is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Age of Innocence
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Archer sprang up from his seat.
"My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.
May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.
Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"
"Some one else--between you and me?"
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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 Age of Innocence

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The Age of Innocence is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Archer sprang up from his seat.
/ˈɑːrtʃər spræŋ ʌp frʌm hɪz siːt/
Line 2
"My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.
Line 3
May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.
Line 4
Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"
Line 5
"Some one else--between you and me?"

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.

angrily adverb US /ˈæŋɡrəli/

with anger

From this reading “"My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.”

Archer noun US /ˈɑːrtʃər/

a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow

From this reading “Archer sprang up from his seat.”

dignity noun US /ˈdɪɡnəti/

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading “May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.”

dismayed adjective US /dɪˈsmeɪd/

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading “Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"”

faced adjective US /feɪst/

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading “May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.”

stature noun US /ˈstætʃər/

high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement

From this reading “May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.”

trend noun US /trend/

a general direction in which something tends to move

From this reading “Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"”

unforeseen adjective US /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/

not anticipated

From this reading “Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"”

All words in this reading · 63

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 Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

angrilyadverbUS /ˈæŋɡrəli/

with anger

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

ArchernounUS /ˈɑːrtʃər/

a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow

From this reading Archer sprang up from his seat.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "Some one else--between you and me?"

BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/

lacking funds

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

dignitynounUS /ˈdɪɡnəti/

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

dismayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmeɪd/

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

don't

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

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

else

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

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

facedadjectiveUS /feɪst/

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Archer sprang up from his seat.

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

growverbUS /ɡroʊ/

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Archer sprang up from his seat.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Some one else--between you and me?"

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading "My God--perhaps--I don't know," he broke out angrily.

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

seatnounUS /siːt/

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading Archer sprang up from his seat.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

sprangverbUS /spræŋ/

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Archer sprang up from his seat.

staturenounUS /ˈstætʃər/

high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

trendnounUS /trend/

a general direction in which something tends to move

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

unforeseenadjectiveUS /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/

not anticipated

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Archer sprang up from his seat.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

Welland

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

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

womanlyadjective

befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman

From this reading May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity.

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: "If that is it--is there some one else?"

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Some one else--between you and me?"

Chapter 12 of The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton holds 160 sentences, grouped into 32 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 12 of The Age of Innocence contain?

Chapter 12 holds 160 sentences of The Age of Innocence, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 160 sentences, grouped into 32 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 12 of The Age of Innocence?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 Age of Innocence

Common questions about reading The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Age of Innocence?

Yes. All 4855 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #541 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Age of Innocence is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #541, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Age of Innocence take to read?

About 404 minutes of reading across 971 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Age of Innocence section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of The Age of Innocence 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 Age of Innocence

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

January
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Age of Innocence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Evening
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Age of Innocence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Early
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Age of Innocence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Seventies
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Age of Innocence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.