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The Circular Staircase
The Circular Staircase

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of The Circular Staircase is here in full — 103 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Circular Staircase
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.
She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.
Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.
She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.
Do you know, I believe she is glad, glad!
0:00 / 0:00
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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 Circular Staircase

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of The Circular Staircase is here in full — 103 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.
Line 2
She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.
Line 3
Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.
Line 4
She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.
Line 5
Do you know, I believe she is glad, glad!

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.

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.”

All words in this reading · 62

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.

ALARM

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

almost

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

and

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

as

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

at

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

From this reading “She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.

Aunt

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

From this reading “She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.

believe

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

From this reading “Do you know, I believe she is glad, glad!

broke

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

came

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

could

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

day

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

dead

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

death

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

did

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

Do

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

From this reading “Do you know, I believe she is glad, glad!

finally

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

first

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

Friday

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

gently

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

Gertrude

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

GIVES

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

glad

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

From this reading “Do you know, I believe she is glad, glad!

had

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

he

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

her

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

how

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

I

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

ill

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

in

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

is

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

From this reading “Do you know, I believe she is glad, glad!

it

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

just

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

From this reading “She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.

know

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

From this reading “Do you know, I believe she is glad, glad!

lay

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

From this reading “She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.

LIDDY

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

Louise

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

manner

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

me

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

most

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

news

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

next

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

of

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

out

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

Ray

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

From this reading “She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.

received

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

said

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

From this reading “She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.

She

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

shocked

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

stared

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

From this reading “She just lay and stared at me, Aunt Ray,” she said.

stepfather's

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

tell

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

telling

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

that

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

THE

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

think

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

to

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

From this reading LIDDY GIVES THE ALARM The next day, Friday, Gertrude broke the news of her stepfather’s death to Louise.

unexpected

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

very

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

was

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

From this reading She did it as gently as she could, telling her first that he was very ill, and finally that he was dead.

when

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

From this reading Louise received the news in the most unexpected manner, and when Gertrude came out to tell me how she had stood it, I think she was almost shocked.

you

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

From this reading “Do you know, I believe she is glad, glad!

Chapter 15 of The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart holds 103 sentences, grouped into 21 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 15 of The Circular Staircase contain?

Chapter 15 holds 103 sentences of The Circular Staircase, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 103 sentences, grouped into 21 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 15 of The Circular Staircase?

Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 21 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 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 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 Circular Staircase

Common questions about reading The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Circular Staircase?

Yes. All 4811 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #434 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Circular Staircase is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #434, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Circular Staircase take to read?

About 400 minutes of reading across 963 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Circular Staircase section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 34 chapters of The Circular Staircase 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 Circular Staircase

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

Story
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circular Staircase; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Middle-aged
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circular Staircase; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Spinster
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circular Staircase; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Deserted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circular Staircase; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.