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The String of Pearls
The String of Pearls

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of The String of Pearls is here in full — 300 sentences across 60 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.
Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.
The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.
The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.
"It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The String of Pearls

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of The String of Pearls is here in full — 300 sentences across 60 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.
Line 2
Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.
Line 3
The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.
Line 4
The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.
/ðə læd hæd ðə sens tuː fiːl ðæt hiː kʊd nɑːt ɡoʊ ɑːn mʌtʃ ˈlɔːŋɡər æz hiː wɑːz ˈɡoʊɪŋ ɑːn ənd ðæt ɪn ə ʃɔːrt taɪm sʌtʃ ə laɪf wʊd dɪˈstrɔɪ hɪm/
Line 5
"It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

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.

endurance noun US /ˈendərəns/

the power to withstand hardship or stress

From this reading “"It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."”

intolerable adjective US /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading “The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.”

likelihood noun US /ˈlaɪklihʊd/

the probability of a specified outcome

From this reading “The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.”

precluded verb US /prɪˈkluːdɪd/

past form of “preclude” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading “The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.”

protracted adjective US /proʊˈtræktɪd/

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading “Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.”

raving noun US /ˈreɪvɪŋ/

declaiming wildly

From this reading “"It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."”

todd noun US /tɑːd/

Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907)

From this reading “TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.”

vigilance noun US /ˈvɪdʒələns/

the process of paying close and continuous attention

From this reading “Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.”

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.

beyond endurance preposition + noun

In this reading “"It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."”

guessed rightly verb + particle counted as “guess rightly”

In this reading “Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.”

short period adjective + noun

In this reading “Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.”

short time adjective + noun

In this reading “The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.”

DURING THE ABSENCE preposition + article + noun counted as “during … absence”

In this reading “TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.”

in order preposition + noun

in a state of proper readiness or preparation or arrangement

In this reading “Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.”

went out verb + adjective counted as “go out”

move out of or depart from

In this reading “"It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."”

go on verb + particle

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

In this reading “The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.”

All words in this reading · 119

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 Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

ABSENCEnounUS /ˈæbsəns/

the state of being absent

From this reading TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.

advantagenounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒ/

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

ADVENTURESnounUS /ædˈventʃərz/

plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.

alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

becomingadjectiveUS /bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

according with custom or propriety

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

boynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

cellnounUS /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

circumstancenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

considerverbUS /kənˈsɪdər/

deem to be

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

destroyverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪ/

do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdredfəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

DURINGprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

endurancenounUS /ˈendərəns/

the power to withstand hardship or stress

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

fatenounUS /feɪt/

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

guessedverbUS /ɡest/

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

ladnounUS /læd/

a boy or man

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

lad's

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

likelihoodnounUS /ˈlaɪklihʊd/

the probability of a specified outcome

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/

for more time

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

mad-house

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

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

mannernounUS /ˈmænər/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

mentionedverbUS /ˈmenʃənd/

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/

being nothing more than specified

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/

an amount of time

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

precludedverbUS /prɪˈkluːdɪd/

past form of “preclude” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

preventverbUS /prɪˈvent/

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

protractedadjectiveUS /proʊˈtræktɪd/

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

ravingnounUS /ˈreɪvɪŋ/

declaiming wildly

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

rightlyadverbUS /ˈraɪtli/

with honesty

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

sensenounUS /sens/

a general conscious awareness

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

sensesnounUS /ˈsensɪz/

plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

seriouslyadverbUS /ˈsɪriəsli/

in a serious manner

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/

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

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

stylenounUS /staɪl/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The lad had the sense to feel that he could not go on much longer as he was going on, and that in a short time such a life would destroy him.

SWEENEY

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

From this reading TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.

takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

Tobias

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

TOBIAS'S

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

From this reading TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.

TODDnounUS /tɑːd/

Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907)

From this reading TOBIAS'S ADVENTURES DURING THE ABSENCE OF SWEENEY TODD.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

utterverbUS /ˈʌtər/

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

vigilancenounUS /ˈvɪdʒələns/

the process of paying close and continuous attention

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The very style and manner in which he had gone out, precluded the likelihood of it being for so short a period of time; and that circumstance set Tobias seriously thinking over a situation which was becoming more intolerable every day.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading "It is beyond endurance," he said, "and I know not what to do; and since Sweeney Todd has told me that the boy he had before went out of his senses, and is now in the cell of a mad-house, I feel that such will be my fate, and that I too shall come to that dreadful end, and then no one will believe a word I utter, but consider everything to be mere raving."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Tobias guessed, and guessed rightly too, that when Sweeney Todd said he would be away half an hour, he only mentioned that short period of time, in order to keep the lad's vigilance on the alert, and to prevent him from taking any advantage of a more protracted absence.

Chapter 5 of The String of Pearls by James Malcolm Rymer holds 300 sentences, grouped into 60 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 5 of The String of Pearls contain?

Chapter 5 holds 300 sentences of The String of Pearls, unabridged, divided into 60 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The String of Pearls by James Malcolm Rymer exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 300 sentences, grouped into 60 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 5 of The String of Pearls?

Work through the 60 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 60 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 String of Pearls

Common questions about reading The String of Pearls by James Malcolm Rymer on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The String of Pearls?

Yes. All 23908 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59828 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The String of Pearls is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59828, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The String of Pearls take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 4782 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The String of Pearls section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The String of Pearls 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 String of Pearls

Words and structures a reader meets early in The String of Pearls, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Https
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The String of Pearls; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Domestic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The String of Pearls; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Romance
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The String of Pearls; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Preface
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The String of Pearls; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.