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When God Laughs, and Other Stories
When God Laughs, and Other Stories

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of When God Laughs, and Other Stories is here in full — 212 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
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When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The Francis Spaight A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”
Carquinez had relaxed finally.
He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.
Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.
It is beautiful,” he said.
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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.

When God Laughs, and Other Stories

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of When God Laughs, and Other Stories is here in full — 212 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King TheFrancis SpaightA Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”
Line 2
Carquinez had relaxed finally.
Line 3
He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.
Line 4
Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.
/ðen hiː held hɪz ɡlæs bɪˈtwiːn hɪm ənd ðə ˈfaɪər ənd læft fɔːr dʒɔɪ θruː ðə ˈɡoʊldən waɪn/
Line 5
It is beautiful,” he said.
/ɪt ɪz ˈbjuːtəfəl hiː sed/

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.

Apostate noun US /əˈpɔːsteɪt/

a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.

From this reading “When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.””

beamed verb US /biːmd/

past form of “beam” — smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression

From this reading “He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.”

bellowing noun US /ˈbeloʊɪŋ/

a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)

From this reading “He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.”

bungalow noun US /ˈbʌŋɡəloʊ/

a small house with a single story

From this reading “He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.”

Fragment noun US /ˈfræɡ.mənt/

A small part broken or separated off something larger.

From this reading “When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.””

incense noun US /ˌɪnˈsens/

a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned

From this reading “When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.””

Laughs noun US /læfs/

plural of “laugh” — the sound of laughing

From this reading “When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.””

Steak noun US /steɪk/

a slice of meat cut from the fleshy part of an animal or large fish

From this reading “When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.””

All words in this reading · 95

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

ApostatenounUS /əˈpɔːsteɪt/

a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

beamedverbUS /biːmd/

past form of “beam” — smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading “It is beautiful,” he said.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

bellowingnounUS /ˈbeloʊɪŋ/

a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

BownounUS /baʊ/

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

bungalownounUS /ˈbʌŋɡəloʊ/

a small house with a single story

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

Carquinez

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

From this reading Carquinez had relaxed finally.

caughtverbUS /kɑːt/

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

Chinago

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

climbverbUS /klaɪm/

go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

complimentsnounUS /ˈkɑːmpləments/

(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

Cowell

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

CreatedverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

CuriousadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

FallsnounUS /fɔːlz/

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

Felise

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

finallyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnəli/

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Carquinez had relaxed finally.

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

FragmentnounUS /ˈfræɡ.mənt/

A small part broken or separated off something larger.

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

Francis

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

glassnounUS /ɡlæs/

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

godsnounUS /ɡɑːdz/

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Carquinez had relaxed finally.

HarryverbUS /ˈheri/

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

heldadjectiveUS /held/

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

Idem

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

incensenounUS /ˌɪnˈsens/

a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “It is beautiful,” he said.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

jawsnounUS /dʒɔːz/

plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

joynounUS /dʒɔɪ/

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

JustadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

kneesnounUS /niːz/

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

laughedverbUS /læft/

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

LaughsnounUS /læfs/

plural of “laugh” — the sound of laughing

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

LikeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

listenedverbUS /ˈlɪsənd/

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

MakeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

MeatnounUS /miːt/

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

men'snounUS /menz/

a public toilet for men

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

NosenounUS /noʊz/

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

PiecenounUS /piːs/

a separate part of a whole

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

prayersnounUS /prerz/

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/

a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/

without strain or anxiety

From this reading Carquinez had relaxed finally.

roarverbUS /rɔːr/

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

roofnounUS /ruːf/

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “It is beautiful,” he said.

savageadjectiveUS /ˈsævədʒ/

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

Semper

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

sorrowsnounUS /ˈsɑːroʊz/

plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

south-easter

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

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

Spaight

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

SteaknounUS /steɪk/

a slice of meat cut from the fleshy part of an animal or large fish

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

stolenounUS /stoʊl/

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

strongeradjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋər/

comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

ThempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/

directed up

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

Westing

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

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

WickedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪkəd/

morally bad in principle or practice

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading He stole a glance at the rattling windows, looked upward at the beamed roof, and listened for a moment to the savage roar of the south-easter as it caught the bungalow in its bellowing jaws.

winenounUS /waɪn/

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading Then he held his glass between him and the fire and laughed for joy through the golden wine.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

WomannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

yeaexclamationUS /jeɪ/

an old word for “yes”

From this reading When God Laughs The Apostate A Wicked Woman Just Meat Created He Them The Chinago Make Westing Semper Idem A Nose For The King The “Francis Spaight” A Curious Fragment A Piece Of Steak WHEN GOD LAUGHS (with compliments to Harry Cowell) “The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise.”

Chapter 1 of When God Laughs, and Other Stories by Jack London holds 212 sentences, grouped into 43 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 1 of When God Laughs, and Other Stories contain?

Chapter 1 holds 212 sentences of When God Laughs, and Other Stories, unabridged, divided into 43 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of When God Laughs, and Other Stories by Jack London exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 212 sentences, grouped into 43 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 1 of When God Laughs, and Other Stories?

Work through the 43 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 43 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 When God Laughs, and Other Stories

Common questions about reading When God Laughs, and Other Stories by Jack London on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of When God Laughs, and Other Stories?

Yes. All 3846 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2545 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of When God Laughs, and Other Stories is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2545, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does When God Laughs, and Other Stories take to read?

About 320 minutes of reading across 770 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read When God Laughs, and Other Stories section by section

How to work through When God Laughs, and Other Stories section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of When God Laughs, and Other Stories 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 When God Laughs, and Other Stories

Words and structures a reader meets early in When God Laughs, and Other Stories, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Laughs
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When God Laughs, and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Apostate
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When God Laughs, and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wicked
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When God Laughs, and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Woman
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When God Laughs, and Other Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.