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Vailima Letters Being Correspondence

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence is here in full — 150 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Robert Louis Stevenson • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Vailima Letters
Being Correspondence

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

_January_ 1893.

MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?

Narrator

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.

Chapter XXIII Reading 1/30

Vailima Letters Being Correspondence

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence is here in full — 150 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

_January_ 1893.

Line 2

MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

Line 3

I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

Line 4

Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

Line 5

And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?

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.

Nightmare noun US /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/

A terrifying or distressing dream.

From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.”

Waking adjective US /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading “I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.”

All words in this reading · 64

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.

1893

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

From this reading _January_ 1893.

a

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

acute

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

and

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

are

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

at

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

Atalanta

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

From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

Balfour

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

From this reading And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?

been

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

between

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

but

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

COLVIN

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

come

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

D

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

From this reading And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?

DEAR

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

devil

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

From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

does

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

From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

dyspepsia

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

fever

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

first

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

get

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

go

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

grasp

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

have

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

I

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

in

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

is

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

it

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

January

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

From this reading _January_ 1893.

kilter

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

last

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

letter

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

like

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

me

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

From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

MY

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

neither

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/

A terrifying or distressing dream.

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

no

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

From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

nor

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

of

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

off

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

on

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

one

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

out

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

paid

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

pretty

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

proofs

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

From this reading And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?

properly

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

send

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

From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

state

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

that

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

the

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

then

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

there

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

From this reading And why are there no proofs of D. Balfour?

thoroughly

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

wandering

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

weakening

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

which

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

Why

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

From this reading Why the devil does no one send me _Atalanta_?

will

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

would

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

From this reading I have been pretty thoroughly out of kilter; first a fever that would neither come on nor go off, then acute dyspepsia, in the weakening grasp of which I get wandering between the waking state and one of nightmare.

You

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

From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—You are properly paid at last, and it is like you will have but a shadow of a letter.

Chapter 23 of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 150 sentences, grouped into 30 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 23 of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence contain?

Chapter 23 holds 150 sentences of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 150 sentences, grouped into 30 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 23 of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Vailima Letters Being Correspondence

Common questions about reading Vailima Letters Being Correspondence by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence?

Yes. All 4155 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #387 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #387, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Vailima Letters Being Correspondence take to read?

About 346 minutes of reading across 831 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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How to work through Vailima Letters Being Correspondence section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in Vailima Letters Being Correspondence

Words and structures a reader meets early in Vailima Letters Being Correspondence, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Mountain: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Samoa: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Monday: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
November: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vailima Letters Being Correspondence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.