Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Uncle Max
Uncle Max

Chapter XL · Chapter 40

Chapter 40 of Uncle Max is here in full — 191 sentences across 39 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Uncle Max
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
'WHAT 0' THE WAY TO THE END?'
Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!
I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.
Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.
They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.
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.

Uncle Max

Chapter XL · Chapter 40

Chapter 40 of Uncle Max is here in full — 191 sentences across 39 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
'WHAT 0' THE WAY TO THE END?'
Line 2
Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!
Line 3
I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.
Line 4
Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.
/streɪndʒ tuː seɪ ˈniːðər ʌv ðem siːmd mʌtʃ sərˈpraɪzd/
Line 5
They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

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.

afterwards adverb US /ˈæftərwərdz/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading “Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!”

amused adjective US /əˈmjuːzd/

pleasantly occupied

From this reading “They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.”

Cottage noun US /ˈkɑːtədʒ/

a small house with a single story

From this reading “Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!”

hinting verb US /ˈhɪntɪŋ/

-ing form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint

From this reading “They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.”

Phoebe noun US /ˈfiːbi/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading “I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.”

rejoiced verb US /rɪˈdʒɔɪst/

past form of “rejoice” — feel happiness or joy

From this reading “I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.”

surprised adjective US /sərˈpraɪzd/

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading “Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.”

welcomed verb US /ˈwelkəmd/

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading “I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.”

All words in this reading · 68

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.

0

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

From this reading 'WHAT 0' THE WAY TO THE END?'

afterwardsadverbUS /ˈæftərwərdz/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

amusedadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzd/

pleasantly occupied

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

CottagenounUS /ˈkɑːtədʒ/

a small house with a single story

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

ENDnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading 'WHAT 0' THE WAY TO THE END?'

expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

forgetverbUS /fərˈɡet/

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

hintingverbUS /ˈhɪntɪŋ/

-ing form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

how

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

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

newsnounUS /nuːz/

information about recent and important events

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

PhoebenounUS /ˈfiːbi/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

rejoicedverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪst/

past form of “rejoice” — feel happiness or joy

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

StrangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.

surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Strange to say, neither of them seemed much surprised.

Susan

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

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 'WHAT 0' THE WAY TO THE END?'

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading 'WHAT 0' THE WAY TO THE END?'

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

tonenounUS /toʊn/

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

TwonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading They had expected it, Susan said, in rather an amused tone, for it was easy to see the doctor had thought there was no one like me, and was always hinting as much to them.

WAYnounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading 'WHAT 0' THE WAY TO THE END?'

welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

wentverbUS /went/

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

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading 'WHAT 0' THE WAY TO THE END?'

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I shall never forget how Phoebe welcomed me back, and how she and Susan rejoiced when I told them the news.

WhitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading Two days afterwards I went back to the White Cottage and took up my old life again,--my old life, but how different now!

Chapter 40 of Uncle Max by Rosa Nouchette Carey holds 191 sentences, grouped into 39 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 40 of Uncle Max contain?

Chapter 40 holds 191 sentences of Uncle Max, unabridged, divided into 39 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 40 of Uncle Max by Rosa Nouchette Carey exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 191 sentences, grouped into 39 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 40 of Uncle Max?

Work through the 39 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 39 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 40 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 40 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 Uncle Max

Common questions about reading Uncle Max by Rosa Nouchette Carey on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Uncle Max?

Yes. All 10064 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #16080 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Uncle Max is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #16080, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Uncle Max take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2013 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Uncle Max section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Uncle Max 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 Uncle Max

Words and structures a reader meets early in Uncle Max, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Quite
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Uncle Max; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Uncle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Uncle Max; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Scheme
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Uncle Max; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sudden
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Uncle Max; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.