Chapter 20 of The Man Without a Memory is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XX
Chapter 20 of The Man Without a Memory is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir." It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied. He leant back in his chair. "Oh, I see. Yes, of course.
Chapter 20 of The Man Without a Memory is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed
From this reading “VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."”
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading “VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."”
past form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading “VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."”
someone who doesn't understand what is going on
From this reading “It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.”
inflected form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading “He leant back in his chair.”
past form of “lynch” — kill without legal sanction
From this reading “VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."”
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading “VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."”
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading “VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."”
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.
move the upper body backwards and down
In this reading “He leant back in his chair.”
as might be expected
In this reading “Yes, of course.”
fix to; attach
In this reading “VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."”
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.
feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He leant back in his chair.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He leant back in his chair.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Yes, of course.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
past form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He leant back in his chair.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He leant back in his chair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
someone who doesn't understand what is going on
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
immediately past
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
inflected form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading He leant back in his chair.
past form of “lynch” — kill without legal sanction
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, I see.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
filled with satisfaction
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
express in words
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Oh, I see.
term of address for a man
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
a thing, without saying which
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
not expected or anticipated
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the lamest of lame dogs; but he appeared satisfied.
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading VON GRATZEN'S WILINESS Abashed and confused by this unexpected trap, I sat cudgelling my wits for something to say, and at last stammered out, "I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir."
an affirmative
From this reading Yes, of course.
Chapter 20 of The Man Without a Memory by Arthur W. Marchmont holds 232 sentences, grouped into 47 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.
Chapter 20 holds 232 sentences of The Man Without a Memory, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 20 of The Man Without a Memory by Arthur W. Marchmont exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 232 sentences, grouped into 47 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.
Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 47 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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.
Common questions about reading The Man Without a Memory by Arthur W. Marchmont on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 6643 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #35516 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #35516, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 553 minutes of reading across 1329 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Man Without a Memory section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 30 chapters of The Man Without a Memory to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The Man Without a Memory, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
