The Machine

Name: The Machine
Author: Upton Sinclair

by Upton Sinclair

Pages: about 62
Category: Literature & Fiction
Language: English
Reading time: 68 min at 250 wpm

Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 38 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

Library at "The Towers," Hegan's country place on Long Island, two weeks later.
[JULIA PATTERSON'S apartments in a model tenement on the lower East Side. The scene shows the living-room, furnished very plainly, but in the newest taste; "arts and crafts" furniture, portraits of Morris and Ruskin on the walls; a centre table, a couple of easy-chairs, a divan and many book-shelves. The entrance from the outer hall is at centre; entrance to the other rooms right and left.]
[At rise: JULIA has pushed back the lamp from the table and is having a light supper, with a cup of tea; and at the same time trying to read a magazine, which obstinately refuses to remain open at the right place. She is an attractive and intelligent woman of thirty. The doorbell rings.]
JACK. [Enters, having come upstairs at a run. He is a college graduate and volunteer revolutionist, one of the organizers of the "Society of the Friends of Russian Freedom"; handsome and ardent, eager in manner, and a great talker.] Hello, Julia. All alone?
JULIA. Yes. I expected a friend, but she can't come until later.
JACK. No; I had dinner. [As she starts to clear things away.] Don't stop on my account.
JULIA. I was just finishing up. [As he begins to help.] No; sit down.
JACK. Nonsense. Let the men be of some use in the world.
JACK. The people are getting their eyes open. And when they're once open, they stay open.
JACK. I do, indeed. You've made a hit. I heard a dozen people talking about it.
JACK. You've come to be the champion female muck-raker of the country, I think.
JULIA. I've a friend I want you to meet. Somebody I'm engaged in educating.
JULIA. And you know how to tell about them. And you've such an engaging way about you...nobody could help but take to you.

A short sample. Read the whole book

The Machine

From the opening

More to read