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The Fallen Leaves
The Fallen Leaves

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Fallen Leaves is here in full — 420 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Fallen Leaves
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!
And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!
Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.
My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.
Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?
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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 Fallen Leaves

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Fallen Leaves is here in full — 420 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!
Line 2
And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!
/ənd ðə ˈlʌndən striːt wɪtʃ aɪ lʊk aʊt ɑːn frʌm maɪ hoʊˈtel ˈwɪndoʊ ˈprezənts sʌtʃ ə ˈdɜːrti ənd sʌtʃ ə ˈmɪzərəbəl vjuː/
Line 3
Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.
Line 4
My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.
/maɪ ˈspɪrɪts ɑːr ˈsɪŋkɪŋ aɪ bɪˈɡɪn tuː fiːl oʊld/
Line 5
Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?
/æm aɪ ɪn ðə raɪt steɪt ʌv maɪnd tuː tel juː wʌt ɑːr maɪ fɜːrst ˌɪmˈpreʃənz ʌv ˈlʌndən/

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.

dirty adjective US /ˈdɜːrti/

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading “And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!”

impressions noun US /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading “Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?”

miserable adjective US /ˈmɪzərəbəl/

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading “And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!”

presents noun US /ˈprezənts/

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading “And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!”

rainy adjective US /ˈreɪni/

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading “Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!”

sinking noun US /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading “My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.”

spirits noun US /ˈspɪrɪts/

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading “My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.”

steamer noun US /ˈstiːmər/

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading “Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.”

All words in this reading · 58

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 Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

Amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

Amelius

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

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

Dingwell

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

From this reading Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/

only a very short time before

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

hotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

impressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

miserableadjectiveUS /ˈmɪzərəbəl/

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

Queenstown

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

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

Rufus

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

From this reading Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.

spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading My spirits are sinking; I begin to feel old.

statenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

streetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Oh, Rufus Dingwell, it is such a rainy day!

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

viewnounUS /vjuː/

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Am I in the right state of mind to tell you what are my first impressions of London?

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading And the London street which I look out on from my hotel window presents such a dirty and such a miserable view!

writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Do you know, I hardly feel like the same Amelius who promised to write to you when you left the steamer at Queenstown.

Chapter 7 of The Fallen Leaves by Wilkie Collins holds 420 sentences, grouped into 84 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 7 of The Fallen Leaves contain?

Chapter 7 holds 420 sentences of The Fallen Leaves, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of The Fallen Leaves by Wilkie Collins exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 420 sentences, grouped into 84 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 7 of The Fallen Leaves?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Fallen Leaves

Common questions about reading The Fallen Leaves by Wilkie Collins on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Fallen Leaves?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Fallen Leaves is used?

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

How long does The Fallen Leaves take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Fallen Leaves section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of The Fallen Leaves 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 Fallen Leaves

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

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The Fallen Leaves, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The Fallen Leaves, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The Fallen Leaves, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.