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The Gold Brick
The Gold Brick

Chapter XXVI

Chapter 26 of The Gold Brick is here in full — 148 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Gold Brick
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
COMING HOME OF THE BRIDE.
At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.
The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.
All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.
"Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Gold Brick

Chapter XXVI

Chapter 26 of The Gold Brick is here in full — 148 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
COMING HOME OF THE BRIDE.
/ˈkʌmɪŋ hoʊm ʌv ðə braɪd/
Line 2
At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.
/æt læst wen ˈevəri θɪŋ wɑːz kəmˈpliːt ənd ðə pleɪs stʊd aʊt ə ˈperədaɪs ɪn kəmˈperəsən wɪð ðə moʊst ˈbjuːtəfəl ˈrezɪdənsɪz ʌv ðə ˈsɪti ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz ərˈoʊz ðæt ɪnˈfleɪmd əˈnuː ðə ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti ʌv ðə ˈhaʊshoʊld/
Line 3
The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.
Line 4
All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.
/ɔːl ðɪs wɑːz ə ˈfɪtɪŋ ˌprepərˈeɪʃən fɔːr ðə ˈveri ˈkwaɪət ˈɔːrdərz wɪtʃ ˈmɪstər ˈnelsən ɡeɪv tuː hɪz ˈhaʊskiːpər dʒʌst æz hiː stept ˈɪntuː hɪz ˈkærɪdʒ wʌn ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
Line 5
"Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."
/hæv ˈevəri θɪŋ ɪn ˈredinəs ˈmɪsɪz fɔːrd hiː sed fɔːr ɑːn ðə θɜːrd deɪ frʌm ðɪs aɪ ʃæl brɪŋ maɪ waɪf hoʊm/

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.

anew adverb US /əˈnuː/

again but in a new or different way

From this reading “At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.”

fitting adjective US /ˈfɪtɪŋ/

in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion

From this reading “All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.”

housekeeper noun US /ˈhaʊskiːpər/

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading “All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.”

inflamed adjective US /ɪnˈfleɪmd/

resulting from inflammation; hot and swollen and reddened

From this reading “At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.”

Nelson noun US /ˈnelsən/

English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)

From this reading “All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.”

packages noun US /ˈpækədʒəz/

plural of “package” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading “The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.”

readiness noun US /ˈredinəs/

the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

From this reading “"Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."”

residences noun US /ˈrezɪdənsɪz/

plural of “residence” — any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading “At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.”

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.

prove useful verb + adjective

In this reading “The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.”

most beautiful adverb + adjective

In this reading “At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.”

third day noun + noun

In this reading “"Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."”

COMING HOME noun + noun

In this reading “COMING HOME OF THE BRIDE.”

in readiness preposition + noun

In this reading “"Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."”

in comparison preposition + noun

In this reading “At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.”

on the third preposition + article + noun counted as “on … third”

In this reading “"Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."”

stood out verb + adjective

In this reading “At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

anewadverbUS /əˈnuː/

again but in a new or different way

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

aroseverbUS /ərˈoʊz/

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

BRIDEnounUS /braɪd/

a woman who has recently been married

From this reading COMING HOME OF THE BRIDE.

bringverbUS /brɪŋ/

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

carriagenounUS /ˈkærɪdʒ/

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

circumstancesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz/

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

COMINGnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading COMING HOME OF THE BRIDE.

comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

completeverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/

in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

FordnounUS /fɔːrd/

United States film maker (1896-1973)

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

HOMEnounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading COMING HOME OF THE BRIDE.

householdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/

a social unit living together

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

inflamedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈfleɪmd/

resulting from inflammation; hot and swollen and reddened

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/

English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading COMING HOME OF THE BRIDE.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

packagesnounUS /ˈpækədʒəz/

plural of “package” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/

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

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

proveverbUS /pruːv/

be shown or be found to be

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/

the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

residencesnounUS /ˈrezɪdənsɪz/

plural of “residence” — any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

steppedverbUS /stept/

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading COMING HOME OF THE BRIDE.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

tradespeoplenoun

people engaged in trade

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

usefuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːsfəl/

being of use or service

From this reading The entrance was haunted by tradespeople, bringing packages that could only prove useful to a lady.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading All this was a fitting preparation for the very quiet orders which Mr. Nelson gave to his housekeeper, just as he stepped into his carriage one morning.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading "Have every thing in readiness, Mrs. Ford," he said, "for on the third day from this I shall bring my wife home."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading At last, when every thing was complete, and the place stood out a paradise in comparison with the most beautiful residences of the city, circumstances arose that inflamed anew the curiosity of the household.

Chapter 26 of The Gold Brick by Ann S. (Ann Sophia) Stephens holds 148 sentences, grouped into 30 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 26 of The Gold Brick contain?

Chapter 26 holds 148 sentences of The Gold Brick, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 26 of The Gold Brick by Ann S. (Ann Sophia) Stephens exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 148 sentences, grouped into 30 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 26 of The Gold Brick?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 26 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 26 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 Gold Brick

Common questions about reading The Gold Brick by Ann S. (Ann Sophia) Stephens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Gold Brick?

Yes. All 7988 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #34500 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Gold Brick is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #34500, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Gold Brick take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1598 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Gold Brick section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Gold Brick 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 Gold Brick

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

Stephens
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Gold Brick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Gold Brick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fashion
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Gold Brick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Famine
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Gold Brick; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.