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The Mysterious Affair at Styles
The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Mysterious Affair at Styles is here in full — 438 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DR.
BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.
But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.
It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.
Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it.
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 Mysterious Affair at Styles

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Mysterious Affair at Styles is here in full — 438 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DR.
Line 2
BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.
Line 3
But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.
Line 4
It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.
Line 5
Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it.

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.

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.”

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.

a

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

about

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

against

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

aimlessly

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

as

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

balls

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

BAUERSTEIN

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

be

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

From this reading It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.

But

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

couple

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

croquet

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

deliver

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

From this reading It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.

DR

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

From this reading DR.

friend's

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

good

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

From this reading It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.

grudge

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

had

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

high-handedness

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

himself

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

From this reading Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it.

I

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

It

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

From this reading It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.

knocking

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

lawn

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

Lawrence

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

mallet

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

me

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

From this reading It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.

message

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

might

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

From this reading Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it.

more

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

my

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

no

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

now

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

nursing

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

of

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

on

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

opportunity

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

Otherwise

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

From this reading Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it.

out

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

passing

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

Poirot

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

From this reading Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it.

Poirot's

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

relieve

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

From this reading Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it.

saw

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

still

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

strolled

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

struck

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

From this reading It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.

that

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

From this reading It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.

the

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

to

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

very

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

with

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

From this reading But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

would

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

From this reading It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message.

yet

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

From this reading BAUERSTEIN I had had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence.

Chapter 9 of The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie holds 438 sentences, grouped into 88 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 9 of The Mysterious Affair at Styles contain?

Chapter 9 holds 438 sentences of The Mysterious Affair at Styles, unabridged, divided into 88 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 438 sentences, grouped into 88 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 9 of The Mysterious Affair at Styles?

Work through the 88 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 88 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Mysterious Affair at Styles

Common questions about reading The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Mysterious Affair at Styles?

Yes. All 5287 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #863 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Mysterious Affair at Styles is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #863, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Mysterious Affair at Styles take to read?

About 440 minutes of reading across 1058 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Mysterious Affair at Styles section by section

How to work through The Mysterious Affair at Styles section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 13 chapters of The Mysterious Affair at Styles 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 Mysterious Affair at Styles

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Mysterious Affair at Styles, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Intense
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mysterious Affair at Styles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Interest
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mysterious Affair at Styles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Aroused
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mysterious Affair at Styles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Public
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mysterious Affair at Styles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.