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The Lesson of the Master
The Lesson of the Master

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Lesson of the Master is here in full — 209 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Lesson of the Master
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
You mean Mr. St. Georgeisn’t he delightful?”
Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.
Alas I don’t know him.
I only admire him at a distance.”
Oh you must know himhe wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.
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 Lesson of the Master

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Lesson of the Master is here in full — 209 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
You mean Mr. St. Georgeisn’t he delightful?”
Line 2
Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.
Line 3
Alas I don’t know him.
Line 4
I only admire him at a distance.”
Line 5
Oh you must know himhe wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

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.

a

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

admire

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

From this reading I only admire him at a distance.”

Alas

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

From this reading “Alas I don’t know him.

at

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

From this reading I only admire him at a distance.”

been

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

by

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

calculation

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

cool

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

delightful

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

From this reading “You mean Mr. St. George—isn’t he delightful?”

distance

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

From this reading I only admire him at a distance.”

don't

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

From this reading “Alas I don’t know him.

evidently

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

eyes

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

Fancourt

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

George

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

From this reading “You mean Mr. St. George—isn’t he delightful?”

give

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

habit

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

had

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

hadn't

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

half-broken

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

have

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

he

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

From this reading “You mean Mr. St. George—isn’t he delightful?”

heart

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

her

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

him

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

From this reading “Alas I don’t know him.

his

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

I

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

From this reading “Alas I don’t know him.

if

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

isn't

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

From this reading “You mean Mr. St. George—isn’t he delightful?”

know

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

From this reading “Alas I don’t know him.

mean

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

From this reading “You mean Mr. St. George—isn’t he delightful?”

met

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

Miss

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

morning-light

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

Mr

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

From this reading “You mean Mr. St. George—isn’t he delightful?”

must

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

of

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

Oh

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

only

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

From this reading I only admire him at a distance.”

Overt

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

Paul

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

people

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

pleasure

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

quick

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

returned

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

saying

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

so

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

St

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

From this reading “You mean Mr. St. George—isn’t he delightful?”

talk

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

that

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

the

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

things

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

to

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

wants

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

which

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

who

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

From this reading “Oh you must know him—he wants so to talk to you,” returned Miss Fancourt, who evidently had the habit of saying the things that, by her quick calculation, would give people pleasure.

would

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

You

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

From this reading “You mean Mr. St. George—isn’t he delightful?”

young

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

From this reading Paul Overt met her eyes, which had a cool morning-light that would have half-broken his heart if he hadn’t been so young.

Chapter 2 of The Lesson of the Master by Henry James holds 209 sentences, grouped into 42 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of The Lesson of the Master contain?

Chapter 2 holds 209 sentences of The Lesson of the Master, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Lesson of the Master by Henry James exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 209 sentences, grouped into 42 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 Lesson of the Master?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 Lesson of the Master

Common questions about reading The Lesson of the Master by Henry James on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Lesson of the Master?

Yes. All 1488 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #898 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Lesson of the Master is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #898, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Lesson of the Master take to read?

About 124 minutes of reading across 298 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Lesson of the Master section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 7 chapters of The Lesson of the Master 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 Lesson of the Master

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Lesson of the Master, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Ladies
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lesson of the Master; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Church
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lesson of the Master; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Corrected
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lesson of the Master; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Steps
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lesson of the Master; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.