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The Higher Court
The Higher Court

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23 of The Higher Court is here in full — 106 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Higher Court
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.
The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.
His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.
"Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.
Isabel's face expressed satisfaction.
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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.

The Higher Court

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23 of The Higher Court is here in full — 106 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.
Line 2
The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.
Line 3
His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.
/hɪz tʃiːks wɜːr flʌʃt frʌm ðə ˈkæntər bæk tuː ðə hoʊˈtel waɪl ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə hæf ˈaʊər æt ˈteɪbəl hiː əˈpɪrd boʊθ ˈhæpi ənd ˈtɔːkətɪv/
Line 4
"Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.
Line 5
Isabel's face expressed satisfaction.

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.

appetite noun US /ˈæpətaɪt/

a feeling of craving something

From this reading “The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.”

ate noun US /eɪt/

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading “The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.”

canter verb US /ˈkæntər/

ride at a canter

From this reading “His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.”

flushed adjective US /flʌʃt/

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading “His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.”

golf noun US /ɡɑːlf/

a game played on a large open course with 9 or 18 holes; the object is use as few strokes as possible in playing all the holes

From this reading “"Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.”

luncheon noun US /ˈlʌntʃən/

a midday meal

From this reading “Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.”

talkative adjective US /ˈtɔːkətɪv/

full of trivial conversation

From this reading “His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.”

toast verb US /toʊst/

make brown and crisp by heating

From this reading “The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.”

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.

half hour adjective + noun

In this reading “His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.”

go off verb + particle

run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along

In this reading “"Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.”

All words in this reading · 58

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.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/

a feeling of craving something

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

atenounUS /eɪt/

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

canterverbUS /ˈkæntər/

ride at a canter

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

cheeksnounUS /tʃiːks/

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

dining-roomnoun

a room used for dining

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/

communicated in words

From this reading Isabel's face expressed satisfaction.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Isabel's face expressed satisfaction.

flushedadjectiveUS /flʌʃt/

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

golfnounUS /ɡɑːlf/

a game played on a large open course with 9 or 18 holes; the object is use as few strokes as possible in playing all the holes

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

hotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

Isabel

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

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

Isabel's

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

From this reading Isabel's face expressed satisfaction.

luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/

a midday meal

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/

being perceived or observed

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

PhilipnounUS /ˈfɪləp/

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading Isabel's face expressed satisfaction.

Shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

squabnoun

flesh of a pigeon suitable for roasting or braising; flesh of a dove (young squab) may be broiled

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

talkativeadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːkətɪv/

full of trivial conversation

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

toastverbUS /toʊst/

make brown and crisp by heating

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Philip and Isabel were in full time for luncheon.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading His cheeks were flushed from the canter back to the hotel, while during the half hour at table he appeared both happy and talkative.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The wife noticed that her husband ate his toast and squab with appetite.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Shall you mind if I go off this afternoon for golf?" he asked, as they went from the dining-room.

Chapter 23 of The Higher Court by Mary Stewart Daggett holds 106 sentences, grouped into 22 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 23 of The Higher Court contain?

Chapter 23 holds 106 sentences of The Higher Court, unabridged, divided into 22 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of The Higher Court by Mary Stewart Daggett exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 106 sentences, grouped into 22 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 23 of The Higher Court?

Work through the 22 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 22 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Higher Court

Common questions about reading The Higher Court by Mary Stewart Daggett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Higher Court?

Yes. All 3977 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #36509 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Higher Court is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #36509, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Higher Court take to read?

About 331 minutes of reading across 796 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Higher Court section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of The Higher Court 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 The Higher Court

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Higher Court, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Higher Court; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mariposilla
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Higher Court; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Broad
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Higher Court; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Aisle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Higher Court; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.