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The Poisoned Pen
The Poisoned Pen

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Poisoned Pen is here in full — 189 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Poisoned Pen
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.
"I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.
In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.
He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.
In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."
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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 Poisoned Pen

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Poisoned Pen is here in full — 189 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.
Line 2
"I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.
Line 3
In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.
/ɪn sʌtʃ ə keɪs ə ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs ˈdɑːktər hæz noʊ θɔːt ʌv self/
Line 4
He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.
/hiː ɪz ðer tuː duː θɪŋz ənd hiː dʌz ðem əˈkɔːrdɪŋ tuː ðə best ðæt ɪz ɪn hɪm/
Line 5
In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

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.

conscientious adjective US /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/

characterized by extreme care and great effort

From this reading “In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.”

discover verb US /dɪˈskʌvər/

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading “"Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.”

drug verb US /drʌɡ/

administer a drug to

From this reading “"Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.”

fatal adjective US /ˈfeɪtəl/

bringing death

From this reading “In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."”

poison verb US /ˈpɔɪzən/

spoil as if by poison

From this reading “"Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.”

probable adjective US /ˈprɑːbəbəl/

likely but not certain to be or become true or real

From this reading “"Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.”

self noun US /self/

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading “In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.”

unbroken adjective US /ənˈbroʊkən/

marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence

From this reading “In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."”

All words in this reading · 57

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.

casenounUS /keɪs/

an occurrence of something

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

conscientiousadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/

characterized by extreme care and great effort

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

Craig

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

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

discoververbUS /dɪˈskʌvər/

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

don't

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

From this reading "I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.

drugverbUS /drʌɡ/

administer a drug to

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/

bringing death

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

haven't

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

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

poisonverbUS /ˈpɔɪzən/

spoil as if by poison

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/

likely but not certain to be or become true or real

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

selfnounUS /self/

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

sleepnounUS /sliːp/

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading "I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.

spitenounUS /spaɪt/

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

supposeverbUS /səˈpoʊz/

express a supposition

From this reading "I don't know," he answered slowly, "but I suppose I would.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He is there to do things, and he does them, according to the best that is in him.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading In such a case a conscientious doctor has no thought of self.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

unbrokenadjectiveUS /ənˈbroʊkən/

marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence

From this reading In spite of the fact that I haven't had one hour of unbroken sleep since that fatal day, I suppose I would do it again."

unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/

not known

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

Wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Would you taste an unknown drug again to discover the nature of a probable poison?" asked Craig.

Chapter 2 of The Poisoned Pen by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve holds 189 sentences, grouped into 38 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 Poisoned Pen contain?

Chapter 2 holds 189 sentences of The Poisoned Pen, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Poisoned Pen by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 189 sentences, grouped into 38 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 Poisoned Pen?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 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 Poisoned Pen

Common questions about reading The Poisoned Pen by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Poisoned Pen?

Yes. All 6378 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1923 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Poisoned Pen is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1923, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Poisoned Pen take to read?

About 531 minutes of reading across 1276 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Poisoned Pen section by section

How to work through The Poisoned Pen section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 34 chapters of The Poisoned Pen 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 Poisoned Pen

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Poisoned Pen, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Poisoned
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poisoned Pen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arthur
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poisoned Pen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Reeve
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poisoned Pen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Transcriber's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poisoned Pen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.