The Riddle of the Mysterious Light

Chapter IX

Chapter 9 of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light is here in full — 108 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Mary E. Hanshew • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Riddle of the Mysterious Light

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

It was clearly evident that Mr. Overton was moved by this announcement of the unhappy termination of Captain Sandringham's life, but he did not show such great elation as Carstairs displayed.

His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

"Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek.

"The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

Narrator

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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.

Chapter IX Reading 1/21

The Riddle of the Mysterious Light Mary E. Hanshew

Chapter IX

Chapter 9 of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light is here in full — 108 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint. It was clearly evident that Mr. Overton was moved by this announcement of the unhappy termination of Captain Sandringham's life, but he did not show such great elation as Carstairs displayed. His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes. "Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek. "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

The Riddle of the Mysterious Light

Chapter IX

Chapter 9 of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light is here in full — 108 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

/ə ˈfeɪntli fəˈmɪljər feɪs ˈdɪfərənt men vjuː θɪŋz frʌm ə ˈdɪfərənt ˈstændpɔɪnt/

Line 2

It was clearly evident that Mr. Overton was moved by this announcement of the unhappy termination of Captain Sandringham's life, but he did not show such great elation as Carstairs displayed.

Line 3

His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

/hɪz ˈkaʊntənəns æz hiː tʊk ðə ˈpeɪpər wɪtʃ ðə ˈvɪkər ɪkˈstendəd wɑːz ɡreɪv ˈræðər ðæn ɡeɪ ənd ðer wɑːz ə ˈtrʌbəld ɪkˈspreʃən ɪn hɪz ˈkaɪndli aɪz/

Line 4

"Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek.

Line 5

"The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

/ðə ˈrevərənd ˈdʒentəlmən spoʊk æz ðoʊ ɪt wɑːz ˈsʌmθɪŋ æz hæd tuː duː wɪð ðə duːk/

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.

announcement noun US /əˈnaʊnsmənt/

a formal public statement

From this reading “It was clearly evident that Mr. Overton was moved by this announcement of the unhappy termination of Captain Sandringham's life, but he did not show such great elation as Carstairs displayed.”

displayed verb US /dɪˈspleɪd/

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

elation noun US /ɪˈleɪʃən/

an exhilarating psychological state of pride and optimism; an absence of depression

faintly adverb US /ˈfeɪntli/

to a faint degree or weakly perceived

From this reading “A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.”

reverend noun US /ˈrevərənd/

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading “"The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."”

standpoint noun US /ˈstændpɔɪnt/

a mental position from which things are viewed

From this reading “A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.”

termination noun US /tərməˈneɪʃən/

a coming to an end of a contract period

vicar noun US /ˈvɪkər/

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading “His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

reverend gentleman noun + noun

In this reading “"The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."”

troubled expression adjective + noun

In this reading “His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.”

FAMILIAR FACE adjective + noun

In this reading “A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

aloudadverbUS /əˈlaʊd/

using the voice; not silently

From this reading "Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/

a formal public statement

From this reading It was clearly evident that Mr. Overton was moved by this announcement of the unhappy termination of Captain Sandringham's life, but he did not show such great elation as Carstairs displayed.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

Carstairs

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

clearlyadverbUS /ˈklɪrli/

without doubt or question

Cleek

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

From this reading "Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek.

countenancenounUS /ˈkaʊntənəns/

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

DifferentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

dukenounUS /duːk/

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

elationnounUS /ɪˈleɪʃən/

an exhilarating psychological state of pride and optimism; an absence of depression

evidentadjectiveUS /ˈevədənt/

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

extendedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstendəd/

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

FACEnounUS /feɪs/

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

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

FAINTLYadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/

to a faint degree or weakly perceived

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

FAMILIARadjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/

well known or easily recognized

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

gayadjectiveUS /ɡeɪ/

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/

a man of refinement

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/

death of a person

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

kindlyadjectiveUS /ˈkaɪndli/

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

MindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading "Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek.

movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

Overton

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

papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading "Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek.

reverendnounUS /ˈrevərənd/

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

Sandringham's

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

showverbUS /ʃoʊ/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

sirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading "Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

spokenounUS /spoʊk/

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

standpointnounUS /ˈstændpɔɪnt/

a mental position from which things are viewed

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

suggestedverbUS /səˈdʒestɪd/

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading "Mind reading it aloud, sir?" suggested Cleek.

terminationnounUS /tərməˈneɪʃən/

a coming to an end of a contract period

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

troubledadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəld/

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

unhappyadjectiveUS /ənˈhæpi/

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

vicarnounUS /ˈvɪkər/

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

viewnounUS /vjuː/

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading A FAINTLY FAMILIAR FACE Different men view things from a different standpoint.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading His countenance, as he took the paper which the vicar extended, was grave rather than gay, and there was a troubled expression in his kindly eyes.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "The reverend gentleman spoke as though it was something as had to do with the duke."

Chapter 9 of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light by Mary E. Hanshew holds 108 sentences, grouped into 22 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 9 of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light contain?

Chapter 9 holds 108 sentences of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light, unabridged, divided into 22 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light by Mary E. Hanshew exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 108 sentences, grouped into 22 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 Riddle of the Mysterious Light?

Work through the 22 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 22 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.

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Common questions about reading The Riddle of the Mysterious Light by Mary E. Hanshew on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light?

Yes. All 4368 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #42802 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #42802, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Riddle of the Mysterious Light take to read?

About 364 minutes of reading across 874 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Riddle of the Mysterious Light

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Riddle of the Mysterious Light, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Capricious: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Climate: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
London: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Whole: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Riddle of the Mysterious Light; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter IX

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Vocabulary met early in The Riddle of the Mysterious Light