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Vashti
Vashti

Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

Chapter 22 of Vashti is here in full — 254 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Vashti
Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?
Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.
You really make me unhappy."
"My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.
Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."
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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.

Vashti

Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

Chapter 22 of Vashti is here in full — 254 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?
Line 2
Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.
Line 3
You really make me unhappy."
/juː ˈrɪli meɪk miː ənˈhæpi/
Line 4
"My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.
Line 5
Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."
/mɔːˈroʊvər maɪ ˈfɪzɪkəl streŋkθ ɪz kwaɪt ˈiːkwəl tuː ðə tæks aɪ ɪɡˈzækt frʌm ɪt/

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.

brass noun US /bræs/

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading “Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.”

constitution noun US /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading “Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.”

exact adjective US /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading “Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."”

imposed adjective US /ˌɪmˈpoʊzd/

set forth authoritatively as obligatory

From this reading “"My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.”

promote verb US /prəˈmoʊt/

contribute to the progress or growth of

From this reading “"My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.”

responsibility noun US /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading “"My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.”

subjected verb US /səbˈdʒektɪd/

past form of “subject” — cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to

From this reading “Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.”

tax verb US /tæks/

levy a tax on

From this reading “Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

physical strength adjective + noun

In this reading “Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."”

sit up verb + adjective

not go to bed

In this reading “"Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?”

All words in this reading · 59

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.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

brassnounUS /bræs/

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

comfortnounUS /ˈkʌmfərt/

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

easeverbUS /iːz/

move gently or carefully

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."

EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."

forgetverbUS /fərˈɡet/

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

imposedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzd/

set forth authoritatively as obligatory

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

intendverbUS /ˌɪnˈtend/

have in mind as a purpose

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

Jane

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

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading You really make me unhappy."

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading You really make me unhappy."

mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/

being nothing more than specified

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

personaladjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrsɪnəl/

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

physicaladjectiveUS /ˈfɪzɪkəl/

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."

professionnounUS /prəˈfeʃən/

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

promoteverbUS /prəˈmoʊt/

contribute to the progress or growth of

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading You really make me unhappy."

responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

sitverbUS /sɪt/

be seated

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

solemnadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləm/

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

standverbUS /stænd/

be standing; be upright

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading "My dear Jane, it would make you still more unhappy if from mere desire to promote my personal ease and comfort, I could forget the solemn responsibility imposed by my profession.

strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."

subjectedverbUS /səbˈdʒektɪd/

past form of “subject” — cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

taxverbUS /tæks/

levy a tax on

From this reading Moreover, my physical strength is quite equal to the tax I exact from it."

tearverbUS /ter/

separate or cause to separate abruptly

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

to-night

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

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

Ulpian

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

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

unhappyadjectiveUS /ənˈhæpi/

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading You really make me unhappy."

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

wearverbUS /wer/

be dressed in

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

whitleather

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

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Ulpian, you certainly do not intend to sit up again to-night?

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Even brass or whitleather would not stand the wear and tear that your constitution is subjected to.

Chapter 22 of Vashti by Augusta J. (Augusta Jane) Evans holds 254 sentences, grouped into 51 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 22 of Vashti contain?

Chapter 22 holds 254 sentences of Vashti, unabridged, divided into 51 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 22 of Vashti by Augusta J. (Augusta Jane) Evans exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 254 sentences, grouped into 51 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 22 of Vashti?

Work through the 51 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 51 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 22 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 22 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 Vashti

Common questions about reading Vashti by Augusta J. (Augusta Jane) Evans on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Vashti?

Yes. All 6667 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #31620 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Vashti is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #31620, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Vashti take to read?

About 555 minutes of reading across 1334 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Vashti section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of Vashti 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 Vashti

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

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vashti; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beulah
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vashti; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Macaria
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vashti; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Infelice
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vashti; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.