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The Wheels of Time
The Wheels of Time

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Wheels of Time is here in full — 676 sentences across 136 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/135 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.
_To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!
"Good old Jane," she said.
"I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"
"Oh, Flower!
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Wheels of Time

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Wheels of Time is here in full — 676 sentences across 136 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/135 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.
Line 2
_To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!
/tuː wʌn ˈwʊmən huː sed aɪ ɡoʊ nɑːt bʌt ˈæftərwərdz rɪˈpentɪd ənd went ˈflaʊər hiː sed maɪ ˈlʌvli ˈfreɪɡrənt ˈflaʊər/
Line 3
"Good old Jane," she said.
Line 4
"I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"
/aɪ duː ˌenˈdʒɔɪ ˈtɔːkɪŋ tuː juː juː ɑːr nɑːt mʌtʃ juːs æt ˈænsərɪŋ ˈkwestʃənz ˈdɑːrlɪŋ ɑːr juː/
Line 5
"Oh, Flower!
/oʊ ˈflaʊər/

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.

answering adjective US /ˈænsərɪŋ/

replying

From this reading “"I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"”

darling noun US /ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/

a special loved one

From this reading “"I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"”

enjoy verb US /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading “"I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"”

Flower noun US /ˈflaʊər/

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading “_To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!”

fragrant adjective US /ˈfreɪɡrənt/

pleasant-smelling

From this reading “_To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!”

repented verb US /rɪˈpentɪd/

past form of “repent” — turn away from sin or do penitence

From this reading “_To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!”

Rosary noun US /ˈroʊzəri/

a string of beads used in counting prayers (especially by Catholics)

From this reading “_Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.”

Thomas noun US /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading “_Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.”

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.

fragrant Flower adjective + noun

In this reading “_To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!”

All words in this reading · 47

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.

afterwardsadverbUS /ˈæftərwərdz/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/

replying

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

AuthornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

ConounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

Crowell

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

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

darlingnounUS /ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/

a special loved one

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

enjoyverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

FlowernounUS /ˈflaʊər/

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/

pleasant-smelling

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

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

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

GoodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Good old Jane," she said.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

Jane

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

From this reading "Good old Jane," she said.

lovelyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvli/

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

MistressnounUS /ˈmɪstrəs/

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading "Oh, Flower!

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "Good old Jane," she said.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

repentedverbUS /rɪˈpentɪd/

past form of “repent” — turn away from sin or do penitence

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

RosarynounUS /ˈroʊzəri/

a string of beads used in counting prayers (especially by Catholics)

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "Good old Jane," she said.

Shenstone

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

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

wentverbUS /went/

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

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading _To one woman who said "I go not," but afterwards repented and went_ "Flower," he said, "my lovely fragrant Flower!

YnounUS /waɪ/

a silvery metallic element that is common in rare-earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading _Author of "The Rosary" and "The Mistress of Shenstone"_ New York Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I do enjoy talking to you" "You are not much use at answering questions, darling, are you?"

Chapter 1 of The Wheels of Time by Florence L. (Florence Louisa) Barclay holds 676 sentences, grouped into 136 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 1 of The Wheels of Time contain?

Chapter 1 holds 676 sentences of The Wheels of Time, unabridged, divided into 136 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Wheels of Time by Florence L. (Florence Louisa) Barclay exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 676 sentences, grouped into 136 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 1 of The Wheels of Time?

Work through the 136 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 136 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Wheels of Time

Common questions about reading The Wheels of Time by Florence L. (Florence Louisa) Barclay on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Wheels of Time?

Yes. All 676 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #56965 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Wheels of Time is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #56965, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Wheels of Time take to read?

About 56 minutes of reading across 136 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Wheels of Time section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The Wheels of Time 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 Wheels of Time

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

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wheels of Time; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rosary
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wheels of Time; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mistress
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wheels of Time; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shenstone
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wheels of Time; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.