“He(Third-person singular pronoun, referring to the man from the previous sentence [hi]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) in the house(Prepositional phrase indicating the location of the man [ɪn ðə haʊs]) about half an hour(Phrase indicating the approximate duration of time the man spent in the house [əˈbaʊt hæf ən aʊər]), and(Conjunction connecting two independent clauses [ ənd]) I(First-person singular pronoun, indicating the speaker [aɪ]) could catch glimpses(Phrase meaning 'could see brief or partial views' [kʊd kæʧ ˈglɪmpsɪz]) of him(Prepositional phrase referring to the man [əv ɪm]) in the windows(Prepositional phrase indicating the location where the man was seen [ɪn ðə ˈwɪndoʊz]) of the sitting-room(Prepositional phrase specifying which windows; 'sitting-room' refers to a room for relaxing and socializing [əv ðə sitting-room]), pacing up and down(Phrase describing the man's movement; 'pacing' means walking back and forth restlessly [ ˈpeɪsɪŋ əp ənd daʊn]), talking excitedly(Phrase describing the man's manner of speaking; 'excitedly' means in an agitated or enthusiastic way [ ˈtɔkɪŋ ɪkˈsaɪtədli]), and(Conjunction connecting two actions [ ənd]) waving his arms(Phrase describing the man's gestures; 'waving' means moving his arms back and forth [ˈweɪvɪŋ hɪz ɑrmz]). (Punctuation mark indicating the end of the sentence)Of her(Prepositional phrase referring to a woman, likely the occupant of the house [əv hər]) I(First-person singular pronoun, indicating the speaker [aɪ]) could see(Past tense of the verb 'to see', indicating the ability to observe [kʊd si]) nothing(Pronoun meaning 'not anything' or 'no part' [ˈnəθɪŋ]). (Punctuation mark indicating the end of the sentence)Presently(Adverb meaning 'soon' or 'after a short time' [ˈprɛzəntli]) he(Third-person singular pronoun, referring to the man [hi]) emerged(Past tense of the verb 'to emerge', meaning 'came out' or 'appeared' [ˈimərʤd]), looking(Participle phrase describing the man's appearance [ ˈlʊkɪŋ]) even more flurried(Phrase indicating that the man appeared more agitated or hurried than before; 'flurried' means agitated or confused [ˈivɪn mɔr ˈflərid]) than before(Phrase indicating a comparison to a previous state [ðən ˌbiˈfɔr]). (Punctuation mark indicating the end of the sentence)As(Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause indicating the time when something happened [ɛz]) he(Third-person singular pronoun, referring to the man [hi]) stepped up(Phrasal verb meaning 'moved towards' [stɛpt əp]) to the cab(Prepositional phrase indicating the destination of the man's movement [tɪ ðə kæb]), he(Pronoun referring to the man [ hi]) pulled(Past tense of the verb 'to pull', indicating the action of taking something out [pʊld]) a gold watch(Noun phrase referring to a watch made of gold [ə goʊld wɔʧ]) from his pocket(Prepositional phrase indicating the location from which the watch was taken [frəm hɪz ˈpɑkət]) and(Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) looked at it(Phrase indicating the action of examining the watch [lʊkt æt ɪt]) earnestly(Adverb meaning 'seriously' or 'attentively' [ˈərnəstli]), ‘Drive(Quotation mark and verb in imperative mood, instructing the cab driver [‘‘drive]) like the devil(Idiomatic expression meaning 'very fast' or 'recklessly' [laɪk ðə ˈdɛvəl]),’ (Quotation mark indicating the end of the phrase)he(Third-person singular pronoun, referring to the man [hi]) shouted(Past tense of the verb 'to shout', indicating a loud vocalization [ˈʃaʊtɪd]), ‘first(Quotation mark and adverb indicating the first destination [‘‘first]) to Gross & Hankey’s in Regent Street(Prepositional phrase specifying the location of Gross & Hankey's; 'Regent Street' is a street name [ɪn ˈriʤənt strit]), and(Conjunction connecting two destinations [ ənd]) then(Adverb indicating the second destination [ðɛn]) to the Church of St. Monica(Prepositional phrase indicating the second destination; 'Church of St. Monica' is a specific church [tɪ ðə ʧərʧ əv st ˈmɑnɪkə]) in the Edgeware Road(Prepositional phrase specifying the location of the church; 'Edgeware Road' is a street name [ɪn ðə edgeware roʊd]). (Punctuation mark indicating a pause)Half a guinea(Noun phrase referring to a sum of money; 'guinea' is a former British coin [hæf ə ˈgɪni]) if(Conjunction introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) you(Second-person singular pronoun, referring to the cab driver [ju]) do it(Phrase referring to completing the journey to both destinations [du ɪt]) in twenty minutes(Prepositional phrase specifying the time limit for the journey [ɪn tˈwɛnti ˈmɪnəts])!’
“Away they went(They departed or left quickly [əˈweɪ ðeɪ wɛnt]), and(conjunction used to connect two independent clauses [ənd]) I was just wondering(expressing a state of contemplation or curiosity [aɪ wɑz ʤɪst ˈwəndərɪŋ]) whether(expressing doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]) I should not do well(expressing uncertainty about making a good decision or acting appropriately [aɪ ʃʊd nɑt du wɛl]) to follow them(to go after them; to pursue them [tɪ ˈfɑloʊ ðɛm]) when(at the moment that; just as [wɪn]) up the lane came(a vehicle approached from the direction of the lane; note the inversion of subject and verb for emphasis [əp ðə leɪn keɪm]) a neat little landau(a stylish, small, four-wheeled carriage with a convertible top [ə nit ˈlɪtəl ˈlænˌdaʊ]), the coachman(the driver of the landau [ðə ˈkoʊʧmən]) with his coat only half-buttoned(indicating haste or informality in the coachman's appearance [wɪθ hɪz koʊt ˈoʊnli half-buttoned]), and(connecting the description of the coat and the tie [ənd]) his tie under his ear(the tie was askew, suggesting a lack of attention to detail or hurriedness [hɪz taɪ ˈəndər hɪz ɪr]), while(used to introduce a contrasting or simultaneous action or state [waɪl]) all the tags of his harness(the loose ends or straps of the harness used to control the horses [ɔl ðə tægz əv hɪz ˈhɑrnɪs]) were sticking out of the buckles(the tags were not properly fastened, adding to the impression of disarray [wər ˈstɪkɪŋ aʊt əv ðə ˈbəkəlz]). It hadn’t pulled up(The landau had not come to a complete stop [ɪt ˈhædənt pʊld əp]) before(sooner than; prior to [ˌbiˈfɔr]) she shot out of the hall door(she exited the house very quickly [ʃi ʃɑt aʊt əv ðə hɔl dɔr]) and into it(and entered the landau [ənd ˈɪntu ɪt]). I only caught a glimpse of her(I only saw her briefly [aɪ ˈoʊnli kɔt ə glɪmps əv hər]) at the moment(at that specific time [æt ðə ˈmoʊmənt]), but(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]) she was a lovely woman(she was a beautiful and charming woman [ʃi wɑz ə ˈləvli ˈwʊmən]), with a face(referring to her facial features [wɪθ ə feɪs]) that a man might die for(her face was so beautiful that a man would be willing to sacrifice his life for her [ðət ə mæn maɪt daɪ fər]).
“ ‘The Church of St. Monica(A specific church named after St. Monica [‘‘the ʧərʧ əv st ˈmɑnɪkə]), John(Addressing the person named John [john’*’]),’ she cried(she exclaimed loudly [ʃi kraɪd]), ‘and half a sovereign(offering half a sovereign coin as a reward [‘‘and hæf ə ˈsɑvrən]) if you reach it(conditional statement, if John reaches the church [ɪf ju riʧ ɪt]) in twenty minutes(specifying the time limit to reach the church [ɪn tˈwɛnti minutes’*’]).’
“This(Refers to something previously mentioned or understood in the context. [ðɪs]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past. [wɑz]) quite(Means 'completely' or 'entirely' in this context, intensifying the adjective that follows. [kwaɪt]) too(Means 'excessively' or 'more than enough'. It suggests that something is so good that it's almost unbelievable or risky to lose. [tu]) good(Means 'desirable', 'valuable', or 'of high quality'. [gʊd]) to lose(Means 'to be deprived of' or 'to no longer have'. The infinitive 'to lose' indicates the potential for something desirable to be taken away. [tɪ luz]), Watson(The person being addressed, likely a companion or friend. [ˈwɑtsən]). I(The speaker, the one narrating the events. [aɪ]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past. [wɑz]) just(Means 'exactly' or 'at that precise moment'. It emphasizes the timing of the action. [ʤɪst]) balancing(Means 'considering' or 'weighing options'. It suggests a mental process of evaluating different possibilities. [ˈbælənsɪŋ]) whether(Introduces the first of two alternatives being considered. [ˈwɛðər]) I(The speaker, the one narrating the events. [aɪ]) should(Expresses a suggestion, advisability, or possibility. [ʃʊd]) run(Means 'to move quickly on foot'. [rən]) for it(Refers to running to secure or obtain something, in this case, likely to secure the 'good' thing mentioned earlier. [fər ɪt]), or(Introduces the second alternative being considered. [ər]) whether(Introduces the second of two alternatives being considered. [ˈwɛðər]) I(The speaker, the one narrating the events. [aɪ]) should(Expresses a suggestion, advisability, or possibility. [ʃʊd]) perch(Means 'to settle or rest in an elevated position'. It suggests hiding or waiting in a discreet location. [pərʧ]) behind(Indicates a position at the back or to the rear of something. [bɪˈhaɪnd]) her(Possessive pronoun referring to a female person. [hər]) landau(A type of four-wheeled carriage with a convertible top. [ˈlænˌdaʊ]) when(Introduces a clause indicating the time at which something happened. [wɪn]) a cab(A horse-drawn carriage for public hire. [ə kæb]) came(Past tense of the verb 'to come', indicating movement towards the speaker or a specific location. [keɪm]) through(Indicates movement or passage within a space. [θru]) the street(A public road in a city or town. [ðə strit]). The driver(The person who operates the cab. [ðə ˈdraɪvər]) looked(Past tense of the verb 'to look', indicating the act of directing one's gaze. [lʊkt]) twice(Means 'two times' or 'on two occasions'. It suggests a careful or surprised observation. [twaɪs]) at(Indicates the object of the driver's gaze. [æt]) such(Means 'of this kind' or 'to this degree'. It emphasizes the unusual nature of the fare. [səʧ]) a shabby fare(A passenger who is poorly dressed or appears to be of low social status. [ə ˈʃæbi fɛr]), but(Introduces a contrasting statement. [bət]) I(The speaker, the one narrating the events. [aɪ]) jumped(Past tense of the verb 'to jump', indicating a sudden or quick movement. [ʤəmpt]) in(Indicates movement into the cab. [ɪn]) before(Indicates that something happened sooner than something else. [ˌbiˈfɔr]) he(Refers to the driver. [hi]) could(Indicates the potential or possibility of doing something. [kʊd]) object(Means 'to express disapproval or opposition'. [ˈɑbʤɛkt]). ‘The Church of St. Monica(The destination the speaker wants to reach. [‘‘the ʧərʧ əv st ˈmɑnɪkə]),’ said(Past tense of the verb 'to say', indicating the act of speaking. [sɛd]) I(The speaker, the one narrating the events. [aɪ]), ‘and(Connects two clauses or phrases. [‘‘and]) half a sovereign(A British gold coin worth half of a pound sterling. It's offered as a fare. [hæf ə ˈsɑvrən]) if(Introduces a condition. [ɪf]) you(Refers to the driver. [ju]) reach(Means 'to arrive at' or 'to get to'. [riʧ]) it(Refers to the Church of St. Monica. [ɪt]) in(Indicates a time limit. [ɪn]) twenty minutes(A specific amount of time. [tˈwɛnti ˈmɪnəts]).’ It(Refers to the current time or situation. [ɪt]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past. [wɑz]) twenty-five minutes(A specific amount of time. [tˈwɛntiˌfaɪv ˈmɪnəts]) to(Indicates the time remaining before a specific hour. [tɪ]) twelve(The hour of the day. [twɛlv]), and(Connects two clauses or phrases. [ənd]) of course(Means 'obviously' or 'as expected'. [əv kɔrs]) it(Refers to the situation or plan. [ɪt]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past. [wɑz]) clear(Means 'obvious' or 'easy to understand'. [klɪr]) enough(Means 'sufficiently' or 'to a satisfactory degree'. [ɪˈnəf]) what(Refers to the plan or intention. [wət]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past. [wɑz]) in the wind(An idiom meaning 'about to happen' or 'being planned'. [ɪn ðə wɪnd]).
“My(Belonging to the speaker. [maɪ]) cabby(Informal term for a cab driver. [ˈkæbi]) drove(Past tense of 'drive', meaning to operate a vehicle. [droʊv]) fast(Quickly. [fæst]). I(The speaker. [aɪ]) don’t(Contraction of 'do not'. [doʊnt]) think(Believe. [θɪŋk]) I(The speaker. [aɪ]) ever(At any time. [ˈɛvər]) drove(Past tense of 'drive'. [droʊv]) faster(More quickly. [ˈfæstər]), but(However. [bət]) the others(Other people. [ðə ˈəðərz]) were(Past tense of 'to be'. [wər]) there(At that place. [ðɛr]) before(Earlier than. [ˌbiˈfɔr]) us(The speaker and someone else. [ˈjuˈɛs]). The cab(A taxi. [ðə kæb]) and(Connects two things. [ənd]) the landau(A type of carriage. [ðə ˈlænˌdaʊ]) with(Having. [wɪθ]) their(Belonging to them. [ðɛr]) steaming(Emitting steam. [ˈstimɪŋ]) horses(Animals pulling the carriages. [ˈhɔrsɪz]) were(Past tense of 'to be'. [wər]) in front of(Ahead of. [ɪn frənt əv]) the door(Entrance to the church. [ðə dɔr]) when(At the time that. [wɪn]) I(The speaker. [aɪ]) arrived(Got there. [əraɪvd]). I(The speaker. [aɪ]) paid(Gave money to. [peɪd]) the man(The cab driver. [ðə mæn]) and(Connects two actions. [ənd]) hurried(Moved quickly. [ˈhərid]) into(Inside. [ˈɪntu]) the church(The building. [ðə ʧərʧ]). There(Used to indicate existence. [ðɛr]) was(Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]) not(Negative. [nɑt]) a soul(A person. [ə soʊl]) there(In that place. [ðɛr]) save(Except. [seɪv]) the two(Two people. [ðə tu]) whom(Who. [hum]) I(The speaker. [aɪ]) had followed(Had been tracking. [hæd ˈfɑloʊd]) and(Connects two people. [ənd]) a surpliced clergyman(A priest wearing a surplice (a white robe). [ə surpliced ˈklərʤiˌmæn]), who(Who. [hu]) seemed(Appeared. [simd]) to be expostulating(To be reasoning earnestly. [tɪ bi expostulating]) with(With. [wɪθ]) them(The two people. [ðɛm]). They(The two people and the clergyman. [ðeɪ]) were(Past tense of 'to be'. [wər]) all three(All three of them. [ɔl θri]) standing(In a standing position. [ˈstændɪŋ]) in a knot(Close together. [ɪn ə nɑt]) in front of(Ahead of. [ɪn frənt əv]) the altar(A sacred table in a church. [ðə ˈɔltər]). I(The speaker. [aɪ]) lounged(Walked casually. [lounged]) up(Towards. [əp]) the side aisle(A passage in the church. [ðə saɪd aɪəl]) like(As if. [laɪk]) any other(Any other. [ˈɛni ˈəðər]) idler(A person who is lazy. [ˈaɪdələr]) who(Who. [hu]) has dropped(Has come. [həz drɑpt]) into(Inside. [ˈɪntu]) a church(The building. [ə ʧərʧ]). Suddenly(Unexpectedly. [ˈsədənli]), to my surprise(Unexpectedly. [tɪ maɪ səˈpraɪz]), the three(The two people and the clergyman. [ðə θri]) at(Near. [æt]) the altar(A sacred table in a church. [ðə ˈɔltər]) faced round(Turned around. [feɪst raʊnd]) to(Towards. [tɪ]) me(The speaker. [mi]), and(Connects two actions. [ənd]) Godfrey Norton(A person's name. [ˈgɑdfri ˈnɔrtən]) came running(Came quickly. [keɪm ˈrənɪŋ]) as hard as(As quickly as. [ɛz hɑrd ɛz]) he(Godfrey Norton. [hi]) could(Was able to. [kʊd]) towards(In the direction of. [təˈwɔrdz]) me(The speaker. [mi]).