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The Knave of Diamonds
The Knave of Diamonds

Chapter XXXII · Chapter 32

Chapter 32 of The Knave of Diamonds is here in full — 147 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Knave of Diamonds
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"
Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.
"I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.
"You've come like an answer to prayer.
Where have you been all this time?
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 Knave of Diamonds

Chapter XXXII · Chapter 32

Chapter 32 of The Knave of Diamonds is here in full — 147 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"
Line 2
Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.
Line 3
"I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.
/aɪ ɡes juː mʌst hæv noʊn ɪt hiː sed ðə ˈsɪnjuːi hænd fæst ɡrɪpt ɪn hɪz/
Line 4
"You've come like an answer to prayer.
Line 5
Where have you been all this time?
/wer hæv juː bɪn ɔːl ðɪs taɪm/

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.

Boney adjective US /ˈboʊni/

having bones especially many or prominent bones

From this reading “THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"”

disturbance noun US /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/

activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption

From this reading “Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.”

gripped verb US /ɡrɪpt/

inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly

From this reading “"I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.”

Lucas noun US /ˈluːkəs/

United States screenwriter and filmmaker (born in 1944)

From this reading “Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.”

sinewy adjective US /ˈsɪnjuːi/

(of meat) full of sinews; especially impossible to chew

From this reading “"I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.”

spark noun US /spɑːrk/

a momentary flash of light

From this reading “THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"”

therein adverb US /ðeˈrɪn/

(formal) in or into that thing or place

From this reading “Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.”

thunderbolt noun US /ˈθʌndərbɔːlt/

a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading “Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.”

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 Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

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 Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "You've come like an answer to prayer.

answerverbUS /ˈænsər/

react verbally

From this reading "You've come like an answer to prayer.

atmospherenounUS /ˈætməsfɪr/

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Where have you been all this time?

BoneyadjectiveUS /ˈboʊni/

having bones especially many or prominent bones

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

chapnounUS /tʃæp/

a boy or man

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "You've come like an answer to prayer.

disturbancenounUS /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/

activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

DIVINEadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪn/

emanating from God

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

dweltverbUS /dwelt/

inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

Errol's

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

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

fastadverbUS /fæst/

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/

inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

guessverbUS /ɡes/

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

LucasnounUS /ˈluːkəs/

United States screenwriter and filmmaker (born in 1944)

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

others

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

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

prayernounUS /prer/

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading "You've come like an answer to prayer.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

sinewyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪnjuːi/

(of meat) full of sinews; especially impossible to chew

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

SPARKnounUS /spɑːrk/

a momentary flash of light

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

surroundedadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪd/

confined on all sides

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

thereinadverbUS /ðeˈrɪn/

(formal) in or into that thing or place

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Where have you been all this time?

thunderboltnounUS /ˈθʌndərbɔːlt/

a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Where have you been all this time?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Where have you been all this time?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Such was Lucas Errol's greeting to the man who had shot like a thunderbolt into the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded him, to the general disturbance of all others who dwelt therein.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I guess you must have known it," he said, the sinewy hand fast gripped in his.

you're

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

From this reading THE DIVINE SPARK "Boney, old chap, you're the very man I want!"

You've

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

From this reading "You've come like an answer to prayer.

Chapter 32 of The Knave of Diamonds by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell holds 147 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 32 of The Knave of Diamonds contain?

Chapter 32 holds 147 sentences of The Knave of Diamonds, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 32 of The Knave of Diamonds by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 147 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 32 of The Knave of Diamonds?

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 32 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 32 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 Knave of Diamonds

Common questions about reading The Knave of Diamonds by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Knave of Diamonds?

Yes. All 10295 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #12484 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Knave of Diamonds is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #12484, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Knave of Diamonds take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2059 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Knave of Diamonds section by section

How to work through The Knave of Diamonds section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Knave of Diamonds 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 Knave of Diamonds

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Knave of Diamonds, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chosen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Knave of Diamonds; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Corner
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Knave of Diamonds; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Certainly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Knave of Diamonds; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Advantage
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Knave of Diamonds; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.