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The Figure in the Carpet
The Figure in the Carpet

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of The Figure in the Carpet is here in full — 91 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Henry James • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 11 of The Figure in the Carpet by Henry James holds 91 sentences, grouped into 19 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 11 of The Figure in the Carpet contain?

Chapter 11 holds 91 sentences of The Figure in the Carpet, unabridged, divided into 19 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of The Figure in the Carpet by Henry James exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 91 sentences, grouped into 19 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 11 of The Figure in the Carpet?

Work through the 19 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 19 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 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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 Figure in the Carpet

Common questions about reading The Figure in the Carpet by Henry James on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Figure in the Carpet?

Yes. All 781 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #645 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Figure in the Carpet is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #645, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Figure in the Carpet take to read?

About 65 minutes of reading across 157 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Figure in the Carpet section by section

How to work through The Figure in the Carpet section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of The Figure in the Carpet 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 Figure in the Carpet

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

Things
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Figure in the Carpet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Earned
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Figure in the Carpet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pence
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Figure in the Carpet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Perhaps
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Figure in the Carpet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for The Figure in the Carpet
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.
I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.
Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.
Of course he knew; otherwise he wouldn’t return my stare so queerly.
His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.
0:00 / 0:00
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 Figure in the Carpet

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of The Figure in the Carpet is here in full — 91 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.
Line 2
I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.
Line 3
Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.
Line 4
Of course he knew; otherwise he wouldn’t return my stare so queerly.
Line 5
His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.
All words in this reading · 59

Every word is available to listen to. 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 IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
amiably

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
amused

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
and

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
as

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

From this reading I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.

Pending verification
at

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
beset

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
brain

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
come

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
conversation

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

From this reading I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.

Pending verification
could

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
course

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
Didn't

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
engage

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

From this reading I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.

Pending verification
even

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

From this reading I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.

Pending verification
eyes

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
far

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

From this reading I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.

Pending verification
from

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
had

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
hadn't

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
have

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
he

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
her

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
him

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
His

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
hummed

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
husband

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
I

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
impotence

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
in

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
into

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
IT

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
knew

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

From this reading Of course he knew; otherwise he wouldn’t return my stare so queerly.

Pending verification
know

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
made

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
manner

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
matter

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
might

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
my

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
never

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
of

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
otherwise

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

From this reading Of course he knew; otherwise he wouldn’t return my stare so queerly.

Pending verification
queerly

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

From this reading Of course he knew; otherwise he wouldn’t return my stare so queerly.

Pending verification
question

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

From this reading Didn’t he know, hadn’t he come into it as a matter of course?—that question hummed in my brain.

Pending verification
remove

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
return

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

From this reading Of course he knew; otherwise he wouldn’t return my stare so queerly.

Pending verification
so

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

From this reading I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.

Pending verification
stare

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

From this reading Of course he knew; otherwise he wouldn’t return my stare so queerly.

Pending verification
that

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
therefore

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
to

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

From this reading I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.

Pending verification
told

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
uneasy

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
wanted

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
was

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

From this reading IT was therefore from her husband I could never remove my eyes: I beset him in a manner that might have made him uneasy.

Pending verification
went

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

From this reading I went even so far as to engage him in conversation.

Pending verification
what

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
wife

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

From this reading His wife had told him what I wanted and he was amiably amused at my impotence.

Pending verification
wouldn't

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

From this reading Of course he knew; otherwise he wouldn’t return my stare so queerly.

Pending verification