Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20

Chapter XXXI

Chapter 31 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 is here in full — 385 sentences across 77 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 31 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 385 sentences, grouped into 77 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 31 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 contain?

Chapter 31 holds 385 sentences of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20, unabridged, divided into 77 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 31 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 385 sentences, grouped into 77 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 31 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20?

Work through the 77 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 77 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 31 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 31 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. 20

Common questions about reading The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 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. 20?

Yes. All 7524 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #30849 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #30849, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1505 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 section by section

How to work through The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 36 chapters of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 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. 20

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Swanston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20; 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. 20; 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. 20; 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. 20; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20
Context Illustration Reading 1/77 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.
I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.
It was Thursday, the day of the Assembly Ball.
But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.
Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.
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 Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20

Chapter XXXI

Chapter 31 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 20 is here in full — 385 sentences across 77 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/77 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.
Line 2
I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.
Line 3
It was Thursday, the day of the Assembly Ball.
Line 4
But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.
Line 5
Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

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.

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.”

Mortal adjective US /ˈmɔːrtəl/

causing or relating to death

From this reading “But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.”

Through preposition US /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading “But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.”

All words in this reading · 66

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

8

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

Academicus

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

ASSEMBLY

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

awoke

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

BALL

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

bed

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

best

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

card

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

cheerless

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

chill

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

Cramond

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

dawn

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

day

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

From this reading It was Thursday, the day of the Assembly Ball.

Doubtless

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

even

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

EVENTS

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

fixed

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

found

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

head

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

hours

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

informed

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

instanter

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Thursday, the day of the Assembly Ball.

leap

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

M

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

master

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

mirth

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/

causing or relating to death

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

Mr

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

much

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

out

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

P

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

prompted

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

reflection

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

reminder

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

ring

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

Rowley

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

Senatus

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

shaving

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

supped

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

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

THURSDAY

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading EVENTS OF THURSDAY: THE ASSEMBLY BALL But I awoke to the chill reminder of dawn, and found myself no master even of cheerless mirth.

twelve

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was Thursday, the day of the Assembly Ball.

water

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

wear

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

From this reading But the ball was fixed by the card for 8 P.M., and I had, therefore, twelve mortal hours to wear through as best I could.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Doubtless it was this reflection which prompted me to leap out of bed instanter and ring for Mr. Rowley and my shaving water.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had supped with the _Senatus Academicus_ of Cramond: so much my head informed me.