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The Lords of High Decision
The Lords of High Decision

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of The Lords of High Decision is here in full — 189 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Meredith Nicholson • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Lords of High Decision
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.
“He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.
He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.
It is kind of you to come.
Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Lords of High Decision

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of The Lords of High Decision is here in full — 189 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.
Line 2
“He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.
/hiː krept ɪn hiːr ðɪs ˈmɔːrnɪŋ bɪˈfɔːr ˈdeɪlaɪt wɪð ə haɪ ˈfiːvər ənd aɪ pʊt hɪm tuː bed ənd ɡɑːt ə nɜːrs fɔːr hɪm/
Line 3
He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.
Line 4
It is kind of you to come.
/ɪt ɪz kaɪnd ʌv juː tuː kʌm/
Line 5
Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

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.

cooking noun US /ˈkʊkɪŋ/

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading “Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
daylight noun US /ˈdeɪlaɪt/

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading ““He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Morley noun US /ˈmɔːrli/

United States chemist and physicist who collaborated with Michelson in the Michelson-Morley experiment (1838-1923)

From this reading “Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Paddock noun US /ˈpædək/

pen where racehorses are saddled and paraded before a race

From this reading ““I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pneumonia noun US /nuːˈmoʊnjə/

respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma (excluding the bronchi) with congestion caused by viruses or bacteria or irritants

From this reading ““I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
relieve verb US /rɪˈliːv/

provide physical relief, as from pain

From this reading “Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
repeatedly adverb US /rɪˈpiːtɪdli/

several time

From this reading “He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Wayne noun US /weɪn/

United States film actor who played tough heroes (1907-1979)

From this reading ““I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

high fever adjective + noun

In this reading ““He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.”

592 times in 426,211 chapters
before daylight preposition + noun

In this reading ““He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.”

1,817 times in 426,211 chapters
at the door preposition + article + noun counted as “at … door”

In this reading ““I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.”

53,016 times in 426,211 chapters
for an hour preposition + article + noun counted as “for … hour”

In this reading “Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.”

15,449 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 62

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 “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
askedverbUS /æskt/

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

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BACKadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
badadjectiveUS /bæd/

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bednounUS /bed/

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
classnounUS /klæs/

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It is kind of you to come.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
creptverbUS /krept/

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
daylightnounUS /ˈdeɪlaɪt/

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
explainedverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnd/

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fevernounUS /ˈfiːvər/

a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
GOINGnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
He's

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

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Pending verification
headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

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

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
I'M

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

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Pending verification
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is kind of you to come.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is kind of you to come.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JOE

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

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Pending verification
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading It is kind of you to come.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
metverbUS /met/

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MorleynounUS /ˈmɔːrli/

United States chemist and physicist who collaborated with Michelson in the Michelson-Morley experiment (1838-1923)

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nurseverbUS /nɜːrs/

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PaddocknounUS /ˈpædək/

pen where racehorses are saddled and paraded before a race

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pneumonianounUS /nuːˈmoʊnjə/

respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma (excluding the bronchi) with congestion caused by viruses or bacteria or irritants

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
putverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/

provide physical relief, as from pain

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
repeatedlyadverbUS /rɪˈpiːtɪdli/

several time

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
she's

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

From this reading Miss Morley came to help with the cooking class and she’s with him now, to relieve the nurse for an hour.

Pending verification
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “He crept in here this morning before daylight with a high fever and I put him to bed and got a nurse for him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WaynenounUS /weɪn/

United States film actor who played tough heroes (1907-1979)

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “I’M GOING BACK TO JOE” “He’s in a bad way with pneumonia,” Paddock explained as he met Wayne at the door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading He’s been out of his head this afternoon and he has asked for you repeatedly.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 27 of The Lords of High Decision by Meredith Nicholson holds 189 sentences, grouped into 38 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 27 of The Lords of High Decision contain?

Chapter 27 holds 189 sentences of The Lords of High Decision, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of The Lords of High Decision by Meredith Nicholson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 189 sentences, grouped into 38 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 The Lords of High Decision?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 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 The Lords of High Decision

Common questions about reading The Lords of High Decision by Meredith Nicholson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Lords of High Decision?

Yes. All 7065 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #66455 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Lords of High Decision is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #66455, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Lords of High Decision take to read?

About 588 minutes of reading across 1413 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Lords of High Decision section by section

How to work through The Lords of High Decision section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in The Lords of High Decision

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Lords of High Decision, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chance
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lords of High Decision; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Zelda
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lords of High Decision; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dameron
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lords of High Decision; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
House
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lords of High Decision; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.