The Clock and the Key

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Clock and the Key is here in full — 6 sentences across 2 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By A. H. (Arthur Henry) Vesey • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Clock and the Key

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 6

This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

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.

The Clock and the Key

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Clock and the Key is here in full — 6 sentences across 2 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/1 · 6 reading units · Lines 1–6

Line 1

This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

Line 2

Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

Line 3

Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

/ˈfʊtnoʊts hæv bɪn muːvd tuː ˈfɑːloʊ ðə ˈpærəɡræfs ɪn wɪtʃ ðeɪ ɑːr ˈrefərənst/

Line 4

A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

/ə fjuː ˈmaɪnər ˈerərz əˈtrɪbjətəbəl tuː ðə ˈprɪntər hæv bɪn kərˈektəd/

Line 5

Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

Line 6

AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

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.

attributable adjective US /əˈtrɪbjətəbəl/

capable of being attributed

From this reading “A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.”

italic noun US /aɪˈtælɪk/

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

Italics noun US /aɪˈtælɪks/

plural of “italic” — a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading “Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.”

pawn noun US /pɔːn/

an article deposited as security

From this reading “AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.”

pedigree noun US /ˈpedəɡri/

the descendants of one individual

From this reading “AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.”

referenced adjective US /ˈrefərənst/

supported with written references or citations

From this reading “Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.”

textual adjective US /ˈtekstʃuːəl/

of or relating to or based on a text

From this reading “Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.”

typographical adjective US /ˌtaɪpəˈɡræfɪkəl/

relating to or occurring or used in typography

From this reading “This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

THREE THOUSAND noun + noun

In this reading “AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.”

at the end preposition + article + noun counted as “at … end”

In this reading “Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.”

FOR THREE preposition + noun

In this reading “AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.”

All words in this reading · 59

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 few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

attributableadjectiveUS /əˈtrɪbjətəbəl/

capable of being attributed

From this reading A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

cannot

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

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

CHEQUEnounUS /tʃek/

a written order directing a bank to pay money

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

correctedadjectiveUS /kərˈektəd/

having something undesirable neutralized

From this reading A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

delimitedadjective

having the limits or boundaries established

From this reading Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

detailsnounUS /dɪˈteɪlz/

true confidential information

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/

past form of “encounter” — come together

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/

plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

ETC

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

followverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊ/

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

FootnotesnounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊts/

plural of “footnote” — a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/

manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

issuesnounUS /ˈɪʃuːz/

plural of “issue” — an important question that is in dispute and must be settled

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

italicnounUS /aɪˈtælɪk/

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

ItalicsnounUS /aɪˈtælɪks/

plural of “italic” — a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/

of lesser importance or stature or rank

From this reading A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

paragraphsnounUS /ˈpærəɡræfs/

plural of “paragraph” — one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

PAWNnounUS /pɔːn/

an article deposited as security

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

PEDIGREEnounUS /ˈpedəɡri/

the descendants of one individual

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

PleaseverbUS /pliːz/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

printernounUS /ˈprɪntər/

someone whose occupation is printing

From this reading A few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected.

referencedadjectiveUS /ˈrefərənst/

supported with written references or citations

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

representverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzent/

take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

textualadjectiveUS /ˈtekstʃuːəl/

of or relating to or based on a text

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

THOUSANDnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

THREEnounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND” “A PEDIGREE IN PAWN,” ETC.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

transcriber's

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

From this reading Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

typographicaladjectiveUS /ˌtaɪpəˈɡræfɪkəl/

relating to or occurring or used in typography

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

versionnounUS /ˈvɜːrʒən/

an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint

From this reading This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_.

Chapter 1 of The Clock and the Key by A. H. (Arthur Henry) Vesey holds 6 sentences, grouped into 2 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, 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 1 of The Clock and the Key contain?

Chapter 1 holds 6 sentences of The Clock and the Key, unabridged, divided into 2 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Clock and the Key by A. H. (Arthur Henry) Vesey exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 6 sentences, grouped into 2 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 1 of The Clock and the Key?

Work through the 2 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 2 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Clock and the Key

Common questions about reading The Clock and the Key by A. H. (Arthur Henry) Vesey on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Clock and the Key?

Yes. All 4970 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #54888 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Clock and the Key is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #54888, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Clock and the Key take to read?

About 414 minutes of reading across 994 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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

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Vocabulary met early in The Clock and the Key

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

Version: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Clock and the Key; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cannot: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Clock and the Key; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Represent: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Clock and the Key; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Certain: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Clock and the Key; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter I

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Vocabulary met early in The Clock and the Key