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The Circular Staircase
The Circular Staircase

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of The Circular Staircase is here in full — 138 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Circular Staircase
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.
Let him alone,” he said.
You can’t help him; he is dead.”
We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.
When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.
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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 XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of The Circular Staircase is here in full — 138 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.
Line 2
Let him alone,” he said.
Line 3
You can’t help him; he is dead.”
Line 4
We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.
Line 5
When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

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.

Alone adjective US /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading ““Let him alone,” he said.”

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.”

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.”

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.

a

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading “Let him alone,” he said.

and

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

any

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

at

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

avoided

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

avoiding

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

but

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

can't

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

From this reading “You can’t help him; he is dead.”

caught

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

collar

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

cursory

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

dead

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

From this reading “You can’t help him; he is dead.”

death

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

DOCTOR

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

dusted

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

each

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

every

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

examination

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

eyes

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

finished

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

fumbling

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

got

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

had

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

Halsey

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

hand

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

he

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

From this reading “Let him alone,” he said.

help

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

From this reading “You can’t help him; he is dead.”

him

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

From this reading “Let him alone,” he said.

his

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

in

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

is

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

From this reading “You can’t help him; he is dead.”

it

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

Jamieson

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

knees

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

Let

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

From this reading “Let him alone,” he said.

loosen

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

low

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

man's

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

mention

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

moment

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

Mr

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

of

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

old

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

on

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

other's

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

presence

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

reverently

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

said

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

From this reading “Let him alone,” he said.

spoke

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

suspicion

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

tacitly

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

that

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

the

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

there

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

to

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

trousers

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

up

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

WALKER'S

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

Warner

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

WARNING

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

was

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

From this reading DOCTOR WALKER’S WARNING Warner was on his knees in a moment, fumbling at the old man’s collar to loosen it, but Halsey caught his hand.

We

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

From this reading We stood there, each avoiding the other’s eyes; we spoke low and reverently in the presence of death, and we tacitly avoided any mention of the suspicion that was in every mind.

When

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

From this reading When Mr. Jamieson had finished his cursory examination, he got up and dusted the knees of his trousers.

You

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

From this reading “You can’t help him; he is dead.”

Chapter 20 of The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart holds 138 sentences, grouped into 28 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 20 of The Circular Staircase contain?

Chapter 20 holds 138 sentences of The Circular Staircase, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 138 sentences, grouped into 28 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 20 of The Circular Staircase?

Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 28 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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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.