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The Wouldbegoods
The Wouldbegoods

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Wouldbegoods is here in full — 318 sentences across 64 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Wouldbegoods
Context Illustration Reading 1/63 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.
I do not agree with this at all.
In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.
But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.
Very often quite without your doing anything to help.
0:00 / 0:00
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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 Wouldbegoods

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Wouldbegoods is here in full — 318 sentences across 64 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/63 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.
Line 2
I do not agree with this at all.
Line 3
In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.
Line 4
But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.
Line 5
Very often quite without your doing anything to help.

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.

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.”

All words in this reading · 69

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.

about

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

agree

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

From this reading I do not agree with this at all.

all

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

From this reading I do not agree with this at all.

and

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

any

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

anyone

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

anything

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

From this reading Very often quite without your doing anything to help.

as

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

at

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

From this reading I do not agree with this at all.

because

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

But

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

country

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

do

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

From this reading I do not agree with this at all.

does

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

doesn't

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

doing

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

From this reading Very often quite without your doing anything to help.

don't

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

dull

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

else

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

events

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

fashion

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

for

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

freely

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

gay

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

happen

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

happens

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

help

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

From this reading Very often quite without your doing anything to help.

how

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

I

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

From this reading I do not agree with this at all.

if

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

in

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

interesting

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

is

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

it

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

know

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

Lewisham

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

live

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

London

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

long

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

make

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

most

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

much

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

not

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

From this reading I do not agree with this at all.

nothing

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

occur

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

of

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

often

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

From this reading Very often quite without your doing anything to help.

or

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

people

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

pleasures

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

quite

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

rate

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

read

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

seem

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

so

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

the

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

they

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

From this reading But in the country the most interesting events occur quite freely, and they seem to happen to you as much as to anyone else.

this

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

From this reading I do not agree with this at all.

to

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

town

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

unless

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

From this reading In London, or at any rate Lewisham, nothing happens unless you make it happen; or if it happens it doesn’t happen to you, and you don’t know the people it does happen to.

Very

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

From this reading Very often quite without your doing anything to help.

whirl

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

who

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

with

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

From this reading I do not agree with this at all.

without

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

From this reading Very often quite without your doing anything to help.

You

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

From this reading You read in books about the pleasures of London, and about how people who live in the country long for the gay whirl of fashion in town because the country is so dull.

your

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

From this reading Very often quite without your doing anything to help.

Chapter 7 of The Wouldbegoods by E. (Edith) Nesbit holds 318 sentences, grouped into 64 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 7 of The Wouldbegoods contain?

Chapter 7 holds 318 sentences of The Wouldbegoods, unabridged, divided into 64 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of The Wouldbegoods by E. (Edith) Nesbit exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 318 sentences, grouped into 64 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 7 of The Wouldbegoods?

Work through the 64 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 64 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Wouldbegoods

Common questions about reading The Wouldbegoods by E. (Edith) Nesbit on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Wouldbegoods?

Yes. All 4724 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #794 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Wouldbegoods is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #794, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Wouldbegoods take to read?

About 393 minutes of reading across 945 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Wouldbegoods section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 14 chapters of The Wouldbegoods 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 Wouldbegoods

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

Children
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wouldbegoods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Proper
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wouldbegoods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Place
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wouldbegoods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stand
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wouldbegoods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.