VELMORA ACADEMY

Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies

Menu Close

The Return of the Native

Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

Chapter 34 of The Return of the Native is here in full — 218 sentences across 44 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Thomas Hardy • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Return of the Native

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

“Yes, if you like.”

“Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

“Yes, do,” she murmured languidly.

When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

Narrator

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.

Chapter XXXIV Reading 1/43

The Return of the Native

Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

Chapter 34 of The Return of the Native is here in full — 218 sentences across 44 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

“Yes, if you like.”

Line 2

“Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

Line 3

“Yes, do,” she murmured languidly.

Line 4

When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

Line 5

After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

All words in this reading · 64

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 When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

After

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

an

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

and

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

From this reading “Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

bring

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

From this reading “Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

by

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

came

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

consider

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

do

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

From this reading “Yes, do,” she murmured languidly.

dull

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

ears

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

effort

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

elsewhere

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

for

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

forgot

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

go

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

From this reading “Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

gone

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

had

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

he

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

her

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

his

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

I

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

From this reading “Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

if

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

From this reading “Yes, if you like.”

in

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

interval

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

it

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

kitchen

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

languidly

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

From this reading “Yes, do,” she murmured languidly.

like

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

From this reading “Yes, if you like.”

lunch-time

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

meant

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

moment

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

movements

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

murmured

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

From this reading “Yes, do,” she murmured languidly.

nearly

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

now

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

From this reading “Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

occasionally

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

of

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

on

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

reached

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

seemed

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

Shall

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

From this reading “Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

she

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

From this reading “Yes, do,” she murmured languidly.

short

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

sounds

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

steamed

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

tea

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

the

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

From this reading “Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

though

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

thoughts

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

to

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

toast

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

tray

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

victuals

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

From this reading “Shall I go and bring the victuals now?”

was

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

were

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

what

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

When

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

where

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

From this reading When he had gone, and the dull sounds occasionally reached her ears of his movements in the kitchen, she forgot where she was, and had for a moment to consider by an effort what the sounds meant.

which

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

whose

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

with

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

From this reading After an interval which seemed short to her whose thoughts were elsewhere, he came in with a tray on which steamed tea and toast, though it was nearly lunch-time.

Yes

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

From this reading “Yes, if you like.”

you

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

From this reading “Yes, if you like.”

Chapter 34 of The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy holds 218 sentences, grouped into 44 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 34 of The Return of the Native contain?

Chapter 34 holds 218 sentences of The Return of the Native, unabridged, divided into 44 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 34 of The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 218 sentences, grouped into 44 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 34 of The Return of the Native?

Work through the 44 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 44 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 34 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 34 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 Return of the Native

Common questions about reading The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Return of the Native?

Yes. All 8619 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #122 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Return of the Native is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #122, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Return of the Native take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1724 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Return of the Native section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Return of the Native to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Return of the Native

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

Preface: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Return of the Native; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Return of the Native; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Three: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Return of the Native; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Women: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Return of the Native; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.