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The Opened Shutters: A Novel
The Opened Shutters: A Novel

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Opened Shutters: A Novel is here in full — 208 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Opened Shutters: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.
"Miss Martha Lacey wishes to see you, Judge."
The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.
"Who?" he demanded.
"Sh!" advised Dunham.
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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 Opened Shutters: A Novel

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Opened Shutters: A Novel is here in full — 208 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.
Line 2
"Miss Martha Lacey wishes to see you, Judge."
Line 3
The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.
/ðə ˈlætər lʊkt ʌp wɪð sʌtʃ ˈsʌdənnəs æz tuː enˈdeɪndʒər ðə ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən ʌv ðə haɪ hæt/
Line 4
"Who?" he demanded.
/huː hiː dɪˈmændəd/
Line 5
"Sh!" advised Dunham.

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.

assistant noun US /əˈsɪstənt/

a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading “MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.”

concentration noun US /ˌkɑːnsənˈtreɪʃən/

the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume

From this reading “MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.”

endanger verb US /enˈdeɪndʒər/

pose a threat to; present a danger to

From this reading “The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.”

repressed adjective US /riˈprest/

characterized by or showing the suppression of impulses or emotions

From this reading “MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.”

scowling adjective US /ˈskaʊlɪŋ/

sullen or unfriendly in appearance

From this reading “MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.”

suddenness noun US /ˈsʌdənnəs/

the quality of happening with headlong haste or without warning

From this reading “The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.”

tiptoed verb US /ˈtɪptoʊd/

past form of “tiptoe” — walk on one's toes

From this reading “MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.”

Trent noun US /trent/

a river in central England that flows generally northeastward to join with the Ouse River and form the Humber

From this reading “MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.”

All words in this reading · 46

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.

advisedadjectiveUS /ædˈvaɪzd/

having the benefit of careful prior consideration or counsel

From this reading "Sh!" advised Dunham.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/

a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

concentrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsənˈtreɪʃən/

the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

dancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

demandedverbUS /dɪˈmændəd/

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading "Who?" he demanded.

desknounUS /desk/

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

Dunham

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

From this reading "Sh!" advised Dunham.

endangerverbUS /enˈdeɪndʒər/

pose a threat to; present a danger to

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

hatnounUS /hæt/

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Who?" he demanded.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

JudgeverbUS /dʒʌdʒ/

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

LACEY

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

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

MARTHA

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

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading "Miss Martha Lacey wishes to see you, Judge."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

repressedadjectiveUS /riˈprest/

characterized by or showing the suppression of impulses or emotions

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

scowlingadjectiveUS /ˈskaʊlɪŋ/

sullen or unfriendly in appearance

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "Miss Martha Lacey wishes to see you, Judge."

Sh

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

From this reading "Sh!" advised Dunham.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

sternlyadverbUS /ˈstɜːrnli/

with sternness; in a severe manner

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

suddennessnounUS /ˈsʌdənnəs/

the quality of happening with headlong haste or without warning

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

tiptoedverbUS /ˈtɪptoʊd/

past form of “tiptoe” — walk on one's toes

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

TrentnounUS /trent/

a river in central England that flows generally northeastward to join with the Ouse River and form the Humber

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The latter looked up with such suddenness as to endanger the situation of the high hat.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "Who?" he demanded.

wishesnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪz/

plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire

From this reading "Miss Martha Lacey wishes to see you, Judge."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading MARTHA LACEY Judge Trent was sitting at his desk scowling at his work with concentration when his assistant tiptoed to his side, his face sternly repressed and his eyes dancing.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Miss Martha Lacey wishes to see you, Judge."

Chapter 2 of The Opened Shutters: A Novel by Clara Louise Burnham holds 208 sentences, grouped into 42 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 Opened Shutters: A Novel contain?

Chapter 2 holds 208 sentences of The Opened Shutters: A Novel, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Opened Shutters: A Novel by Clara Louise Burnham exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 208 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 Opened Shutters: A Novel?

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 Opened Shutters: A Novel

Common questions about reading The Opened Shutters: A Novel by Clara Louise Burnham on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Opened Shutters: A Novel?

Yes. All 6655 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #25954 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Opened Shutters: A Novel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #25954, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Opened Shutters: A Novel take to read?

About 554 minutes of reading across 1331 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Opened Shutters: A Novel section by section

How to work through The Opened Shutters: A Novel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 33 chapters of The Opened Shutters: A Novel 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 Opened Shutters: A Novel

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Opened Shutters: A Novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Opened
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Opened Shutters: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shutters
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Opened Shutters: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Illustrated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Opened Shutters: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Jewel
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Opened Shutters: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.