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St. Ives

Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

Chapter 27 of St. Ives is here in full — 161 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Robert Louis Stevenson • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for St. Ives

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

Fortune favoured me again.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XXVII Reading 1/32

St. Ives

Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

Chapter 27 of St. Ives is here in full — 161 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

Line 2

Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

Line 3

A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

Line 4

I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

Line 5

Fortune favoured me again.

All words in this reading · 71

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.

a

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

again

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

From this reading Fortune favoured me again.

and

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

another

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

at

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

be

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

bed

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

before

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

but

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

clothes

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

could

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

do

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

dreadful

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

dry

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

enough

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

expect

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

favoured

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

From this reading Fortune favoured me again.

fire

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

Fortune

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

From this reading Fortune favoured me again.

found

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

friend

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

from

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

go

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

gone

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

good

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

had

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

harbourage

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

he

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

high

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

his

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

home

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

I

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

in

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

indeed

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

It

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

itself

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

last

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

lie

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

made

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

McRankine

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

me

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

meanwhile

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

met

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

might

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

morning

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

Mrs

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

my

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

night

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

not

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

of

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

orders

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

out

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

pickle

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

question

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

ready

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

received

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

Rowley

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

say

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

should

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

Swanston

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

tale

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

From this reading A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.

that

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

From this reading Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning.

the

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

they

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

till

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

time

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

to

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

was

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

were

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

what

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

From this reading It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question.

where

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

From this reading I could not go home till I had found harbourage, a fire to dry my clothes at, and a bed where I might lie till they were ready.

Chapter 27 of St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 161 sentences, grouped into 33 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 27 of St. Ives contain?

Chapter 27 holds 161 sentences of St. Ives, unabridged, divided into 33 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 161 sentences, grouped into 33 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 27 of St. Ives?

Work through the 33 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 33 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 27 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 27 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 St. Ives

Common questions about reading St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of St. Ives?

Yes. All 5601 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #322 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of St. Ives is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #322, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does St. Ives take to read?

About 466 minutes of reading across 1121 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read St. Ives section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 30 chapters of St. Ives to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in St. Ives

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

Month: A word that appears in the opening chapter of St. Ives; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Unlucky: A word that appears in the opening chapter of St. Ives; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hands: A word that appears in the opening chapter of St. Ives; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Enemy: A word that appears in the opening chapter of St. Ives; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.