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The Happy Isles
The Happy Isles

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of The Happy Isles is here in full — 405 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Happy Isles
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.
Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.
I don't.
Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."
"But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"
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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 Happy Isles

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of The Happy Isles is here in full — 405 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.
Line 2
Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.
Line 3
I don't.
Line 4
Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."
Line 5
"But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

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.

expect verb US /ɪkˈspekt/

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading “"But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"”

feels noun US /fiːlz/

plural of “feel” — an intuitive awareness

From this reading “Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.”

fellows noun US /ˈfeloʊz/

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading “Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."”

lessons noun US /ˈlesənz/

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading “Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.”

moral adjective US /ˈmɔːrəl/

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading “Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.”

prophets noun US /ˈprɑːfəts/

the second of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures

From this reading “Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."”

Simply adverb US /ˈsɪmpli/

and nothing more

From this reading “Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.”

telling adjective US /ˈtelɪŋ/

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading “"But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"”

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.

moral lessons adjective + noun counted as “moral lesson”

In this reading “Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.”

young fellows adjective + noun counted as “young fellow”

In this reading “Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."”

went along verb + particle counted as “go along”

cooperate or pretend to cooperate

In this reading “Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.”

expect from verb + particle

In this reading “"But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"”

All words in this reading · 62

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.

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 Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

Ansley

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

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

d-doesn't

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

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

don't

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

From this reading I don't.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

feelsnounUS /fiːlz/

plural of “feel” — an intuitive awareness

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

fellowsnounUS /ˈfeloʊz/

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

Guy'd

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

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I don't.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

lawnounUS /lɔː/

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

ll

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

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

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

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

prophetsnounUS /ˈprɑːfəts/

the second of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

she'd

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

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

SimplyadverbUS /ˈsɪmpli/

and nothing more

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

sirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

tellingadjectiveUS /ˈtelɪŋ/

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

they're

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

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

TwonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

w-want

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

From this reading "If--if Mrs. Ansley--d-doesn't w-want me--" "Oh, she'd give in.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Simply feels that Guy'd get more good out of it if he had some one to point out moral lessons as he went along.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

you'd

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

From this reading "But would you mind telling me, sir, something of what you'd expect from me?"

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Two young fellows together, if they're at all the right kind, 'll do each other more good than all the law and the prophets."

Chapter 16 of The Happy Isles by Basil King holds 405 sentences, grouped into 81 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 16 of The Happy Isles contain?

Chapter 16 holds 405 sentences of The Happy Isles, unabridged, divided into 81 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Happy Isles by Basil King exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 405 sentences, grouped into 81 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 16 of The Happy Isles?

Work through the 81 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 81 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 Happy Isles

Common questions about reading The Happy Isles by Basil King on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Happy Isles?

Yes. All 9301 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #61344 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Happy Isles is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #61344, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Happy Isles take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1861 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Happy Isles section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of The Happy Isles 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 Happy Isles

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

Https
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Happy Isles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Illustrations
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Happy Isles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Alonzo
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Happy Isles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Williams
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Happy Isles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.