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The Return of the Native

Chapter XXXVI · Chapter 36

Chapter 36 of The Return of the Native is here in full — 221 sentences across 45 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

But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

Still she did not return.

He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

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 XXXVI Reading 1/44

The Return of the Native Thomas Hardy

Cover illustration for The Return of the Native

Chapter XXXVI

Chapter 36

Chapter 36 of The Return of the Native is here in full — 221 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows. He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes. Still she did not return. He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom. There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

The Return of the Native

Chapter XXXVI · Chapter 36

Chapter 36 of The Return of the Native is here in full — 221 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

Line 2

He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

Line 3

Still she did not return.

Line 4

He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

Line 5

There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

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.

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

an

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

and

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

at

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

back

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

bed

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

bedroom

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

been

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

But

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

candlestick

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

corners

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

did

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

From this reading Still she did not return.

downstairs

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

drops

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

few

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

first

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

five

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

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

follow

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

for

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

form

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

from

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

gnaw

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

had

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

He

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

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

her

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

house

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

imaginary

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

impression

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

into

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

landing

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

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

light

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

looked

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

made

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

minutes

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

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

more

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

nearly

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

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

no

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

not

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

From this reading Still she did not return.

of

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

on

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

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

one

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

opened

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

outside

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

prepared

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

From this reading He went back for a light, and prepared to follow her; but first he looked into her bedroom.

quilt

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

rain

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

response

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

return

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

From this reading Still she did not return.

save

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

seemed

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

she

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

From this reading Still she did not return.

showing

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

significant

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

statement

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

Still

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

From this reading Still she did not return.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

stroke

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

taken

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

that

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

the

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

There

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

this

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

to

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

upon

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

waiting

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

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

was

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

went

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

From this reading He went on to the landing, and stood waiting nearly five minutes.

what

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

From this reading There, on the outside of the quilt, was the impression of her form, showing that the bed had not been opened; and, what was more significant, she had not taken her candlestick downstairs.

which

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

wind

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

windows

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

From this reading But no response was made to this statement save an imaginary one from the wind, which seemed to gnaw at the corners of the house, and the stroke of a few drops of rain upon the windows.

Chapter 36 of The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy holds 221 sentences, grouped into 45 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 36 of The Return of the Native contain?

Chapter 36 holds 221 sentences of The Return of the Native, unabridged, divided into 45 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 36 of The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 221 sentences, grouped into 45 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 36 of The Return of the Native?

Work through the 45 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 45 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 36 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 36 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.