Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Summons
The Summons

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Summons is here in full — 201 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Summons
Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.
Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.
And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.
Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.
Firstly, that the service must be executive.
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 Summons

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Summons is here in full — 201 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.
Line 2
Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.
/ˌɪnˈdiːd ɪt hæd ˈevriθɪŋ tuː kriˈeɪt ɪts ruːlz ɪts ˈmeθədz ɪts hoʊl fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/
Line 3
And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.
/ənd ɪt hæd tuː duː ðɪs ˈkwɪkli ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə wɔːr ənd dʒʌst fɔːr ðə wɔːr sɪns ˈæftər ðə wɔːr ɪt wʊd siːs tuː biː/
Line 4
Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.
Line 5
Firstly, that the service must be executive.
/ˈfɜːrstli ðæt ðə ˈsɜːrvəs mʌst biː ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/

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.

conclusions noun US /kənˈkluːʒənz/

plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading “Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.”

create verb US /kriˈeɪt/

make or cause to be or to become

From this reading “"TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.”

definitely adverb US /ˈdefənətli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading “Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.”

executive noun US /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/

a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading “Firstly, that the service must be executive.”

Firstly adverb US /ˈfɜːrstli/

before anything else

From this reading “Firstly, that the service must be executive.”

methods noun US /ˈmeθədz/

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading “Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.”

rules noun US /ruːlz/

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading “Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.”

traditions noun US /trəˈdɪʃənz/

plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading “"TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.”

All words in this reading · 54

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 "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

ceaseverbUS /siːs/

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

CertainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

conclusionsnounUS /kənˈkluːʒənz/

plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

createverbUS /kriˈeɪt/

make or cause to be or to become

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.

executivenounUS /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/

a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading Firstly, that the service must be executive.

experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

FirstlyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrstli/

before anything else

From this reading Firstly, that the service must be executive.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

forcedadjectiveUS /fɔːrst/

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

Hillyard

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

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

Hillyard's

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

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

IndeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

joinedadjectiveUS /dʒɔɪnd/

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

MATTERnounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Firstly, that the service must be executive.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)

From this reading Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.

quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/

with speed

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Certain conclusions had now been forced by experience quite definitely on Hillyard's mind.

rulesnounUS /ruːlz/

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

SHIPSnounUS /ʃɪps/

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

THOSEdeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

TOUCHINGadjectiveUS /ˈtʌtʃɪŋ/

arousing affect

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

traditionsnounUS /trəˈdɪʃənz/

plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

warnounUS /wɔːr/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Indeed, it had everything to create, its rules, its methods, its whole philosophy.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "TOUCHING THE MATTER OF THOSE SHIPS" It has been said that Hillyard joined a service with its traditions to create.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading And it had to do this quickly during the war, and just for the war; since after the war it would cease to be.

Chapter 13 of The Summons by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason holds 201 sentences, grouped into 41 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 13 of The Summons contain?

Chapter 13 holds 201 sentences of The Summons, unabridged, divided into 41 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of The Summons by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 201 sentences, grouped into 41 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 13 of The Summons?

Work through the 41 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 41 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 13 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 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 Summons

Common questions about reading The Summons by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Summons?

Yes. All 7685 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #16381 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Summons is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #16381, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Summons take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1537 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Summons section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 31 chapters of The Summons 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 Summons

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

Entrance
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Summons; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hardiman's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Summons; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Party
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Summons; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wrinkle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Summons; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.