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The Three Lovers
The Three Lovers

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Three Lovers is here in full — 405 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Three Lovers
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Patricia could have jumped for joy.
How lovely!
"I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.
"That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.
"So nice."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Three Lovers

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Three Lovers is here in full — 405 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Patricia could have jumped for joy.
Line 2
How lovely!
Line 3
"I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.
Line 4
"That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.
Line 5
"So nice."
/soʊ naɪs/

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.

altogether adverb US /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading “"I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.”

delightful adjective US /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading “"That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.”

eagerness noun US /ˈiːɡərnəs/

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading “"I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.”

escaped adjective US /ɪˈskeɪpt/

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading “"I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.”

gentle adjective US /ˈdʒentəl/

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading “"That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.”

inexperienced adjective US /ɪnɪkˈspɪriənst/

lacking practical experience or training

From this reading “"I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.”

jumped verb US /dʒʌmpt/

past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading “Patricia could have jumped for joy.”

sedately adverb US /sɪˈdeɪtli/

in a sedate manner

From this reading “"I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.”

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.

for joy preposition + noun

In this reading “Patricia could have jumped for joy.”

All words in this reading · 50

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.

altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Patricia could have jumped for joy.

delightfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading "That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.

eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

escapedadjectiveUS /ɪˈskeɪpt/

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Patricia could have jumped for joy.

gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading "That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Patricia could have jumped for joy.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

How

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

From this reading How lovely!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

inexperiencedadjectiveUS /ɪnɪkˈspɪriənst/

lacking practical experience or training

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

joynounUS /dʒɔɪ/

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading Patricia could have jumped for joy.

jumpedverbUS /dʒʌmpt/

past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Patricia could have jumped for joy.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

lovelyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvli/

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading How lovely!

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

Monty

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

niceadjectiveUS /naɪs/

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading "So nice."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

Patricia

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

From this reading Patricia could have jumped for joy.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

sedatelyadverbUS /sɪˈdeɪtli/

in a sedate manner

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

That's

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

From this reading "That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "That's delightful," he said in his gentle way.

wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading "I should like to come very much," she made herself say very sedately; but Monty was not so inexperienced in these matters as she might have wished him; and she was not altogether sure that her eagerness had escaped his notice.

Chapter 4 of The Three Lovers by Frank Swinnerton holds 405 sentences, grouped into 81 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 4 of The Three Lovers contain?

Chapter 4 holds 405 sentences of The Three Lovers, unabridged, divided into 81 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Three Lovers by Frank Swinnerton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 405 sentences, grouped into 81 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 4 of The Three Lovers?

Work through the 81 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 81 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Three Lovers

Common questions about reading The Three Lovers by Frank Swinnerton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Three Lovers?

Yes. All 7752 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #63479 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Three Lovers is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #63479, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Three Lovers take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1551 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Three Lovers section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 19 chapters of The Three Lovers 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 Three Lovers

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

Italic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Three Lovers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Denoted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Three Lovers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Underscores
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Three Lovers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Equal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Three Lovers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.