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The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 is here in full — 332 sentences across 67 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 20 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 332 sentences, grouped into 67 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 20 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 contain?

Chapter 20 holds 332 sentences of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19, unabridged, divided into 67 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 332 sentences, grouped into 67 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 20 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19?

Work through the 67 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 67 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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19

Common questions about reading The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19?

Yes. All 5283 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #31037 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #31037, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 take to read?

About 440 minutes of reading across 1057 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 section by section

How to work through The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 22 chapters of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 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 Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Swanston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Twenty-five
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Volumes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19
Context Illustration Reading 1/67 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.
Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.
It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.
When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.
That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 19 is here in full — 332 sentences across 67 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/67 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.
Line 2
Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.
Line 3
It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.
Line 4
When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.
Line 5
That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

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, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.”

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.”

Prophecy noun US /ˈprɒf.ə.si/

A prediction of what will happen in the future, often divinely or magically inspired.

From this reading “That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.”

Through preposition US /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading “When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.”

All words in this reading · 82

Every word is available to listen to. 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 ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

acute

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

Archie

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

boredom

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

bury

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

contained

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

Crossmichael

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

days

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

denied

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

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

deposited

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

directness

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

doors

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

ENTER

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

even

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

Frank

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

further

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

gift

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

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

gig

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

guided

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

heads

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

Hermiston

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

Innes

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

invitation

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

later

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

letter

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

life

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

man

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

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

MEPHISTOPHELES

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

moors

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

most

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

nature

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

now

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

Once

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

past

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

phase

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

political

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

precisely

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

prophecynounUS /ˈprɒf.ə.si/

A prediction of what will happen in the future, often divinely or magically inspired.

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

received

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

reference

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

remembered

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

require

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

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

some

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

steps

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

there

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

Two

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

From this reading ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES Two days later a gig from Crossmichael deposited Frank Innes at the doors of Hermiston.

unerring

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

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

way

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It had contained something in the nature of an invitation, or a reference to an invitation--precisely what, neither of them now remembered.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

winter

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When Innes had received it, there had been nothing further from his mind than to bury himself in the moors with Archie; but not even the most acute political heads are guided through the steps of life with unerring directness.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading That would require a gift of prophecy which has been denied to man.

written

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

From this reading Once in a way, during the past winter, Archie, in some acute phase of boredom, had written him a letter.