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The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts
The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts is here in full — 492 sentences across 99 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts
Context Illustration Reading 1/98 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.
Mrs. CIRCUIT.
Why, what has that to do with the business?
SERJEANT.
Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
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/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts is here in full — 492 sentences across 99 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/98 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.
Line 2
Mrs. CIRCUIT.
/ˈmɪsɪz ˈsɜːrkət/
Line 3
Why, what has that to do with the business?
/waɪ wʌt hæz ðæt tuː duː wɪð ðə ˈbɪznəs/
Line 4
SERJEANT.
Line 5
Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

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.

chuck verb US /tʃʌk/

throw carelessly

From this reading “True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.”

circuit noun US /ˈsɜːrkət/

an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow

From this reading “Mrs. CIRCUIT.”

coaches noun US /ˈkoʊtʃɪz/

plural of “coach” — (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team

From this reading “True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.”

domestics noun US /dəˈmestɪks/

plural of “domestic” — a servant who is paid to perform menial tasks around the household

From this reading “Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.”

examples noun US /ɪɡˈzæmpəlz/

plural of “example” — an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading “Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.”

independence noun US /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading “Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.”

superiors noun US /suːˈpɪriərz/

plural of “superior” — one of greater rank or station or quality

From this reading “Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.”

thieves noun US /θiːvz/

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading “True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.”

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.

natural consequence adjective + noun

In this reading “Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.”

throwing away verb + particle counted as “throw away”

throw or cast away

In this reading “Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.”

complain of verb + particle

In this reading “True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.”

great friends adjective + noun counted as “great friend”

In this reading “True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.”

All words in this reading · 54

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.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

breakingnounUS /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/

the act of breaking something

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

can't

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

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

chuckverbUS /tʃʌk/

throw carelessly

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

CIRCUITnounUS /ˈsɜːrkət/

an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow

From this reading Mrs. CIRCUIT.

coachesnounUS /ˈkoʊtʃɪz/

plural of “coach” — (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

complainverbUS /kəmˈpleɪn/

express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

consequencenounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəns/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

consequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

domesticsnounUS /dəˈmestɪks/

plural of “domestic” — a servant who is paid to perform menial tasks around the household

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

examplesnounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəlz/

plural of “example” — an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

highwaymen

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

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

independencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

lovee

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

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. CIRCUIT.

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

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

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

SERJEANTnoun

an English barrister of the highest rank

From this reading SERJEANT.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

stoppingnounUS /ˈstɑːpɪŋ/

fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

superiorsnounUS /suːˈpɪriərz/

plural of “superior” — one of greater rank or station or quality

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

thievesnounUS /θiːvz/

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

throwingverbUS /ˈθroʊɪŋ/

-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

TrueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Why, what has that to do with the business?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Oh! the natural consequence, lovee; for whilst the superiors are throwing away their fortunes, and consequently their independence _above_--you can't think but their domestics are following their examples _below_.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading True, chuck--But then your great friends should never complain of highwaymen stopping their coaches, or thieves breaking into their houses.

Chapter 2 of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts by Samuel Foote holds 492 sentences, grouped into 99 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 2 of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts contain?

Chapter 2 holds 492 sentences of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts, unabridged, divided into 99 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts by Samuel Foote exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 492 sentences, grouped into 99 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 2 of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts?

Work through the 99 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 99 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts

Common questions about reading The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts by Samuel Foote on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts?

Yes. All 1499 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #49602 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #49602, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts take to read?

About 124 minutes of reading across 300 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts section by section

How to work through The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts 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 Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Three
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Performed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Theatre-royal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hay-market
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.