A Scandal in Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle- page 15

It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue.

• It: refers to the time or situation [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being in the past [wɑz]
• a quarter past six: a time; fifteen minutes past six o'clock [ə kˈwɔrtər pæst sɪks]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• we: the speaker and their companions [wi]
• left: past tense of 'leave', meaning to depart from [lɛft]
• Baker Street: a street in London, often associated with Sherlock Holmes [ˈbeɪkər strit]
• and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
• it: referring to the time [ɪt]
• still: even now; up to this time [stɪl]
• wanted: lacked; was short of [ˈwɔntɪd]
• ten minutes: a period of ten minutes [tɛn ˈmɪnəts]
• to the hour: before the next full hour [tɪ ðə aʊər]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• we: the speaker and their companions [wi]
• found ourselves: discovered that we were [faʊnd ɑrˈsɛlvz]
• in: located within [ɪn]
• Serpentine Avenue: a street name [ˈsərpənˌtaɪn ˈævəˌnu]

It was already dusk, and the lamps were just being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occupant.

• It: referring to the situation or time of day [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• already: before now; previously [ɔˈrɛdi]
• dusk: the time of day when the light is fading; twilight [dəsk]
• and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
• the lamps: streetlights [ðə læmps]
• were: past tense of 'to be', plural [wər]
• just: at that moment; recently [ʤɪst]
• being lighted: in the process of being turned on [biɪŋ ˈlaɪtɪd]
• as: while; at the same time that [ɛz]
• we: the speaker and their companions [wi]
• paced: walked slowly and steadily [peɪst]
• up and down: back and forth [əp ənd daʊn]
• in front of: before; facing [ɪn frənt əv]
• Briony Lodge: name of a house or building [ˈbraɪəˌni lɑʤ]
• waiting: staying in place until something happens [ˈweɪtɪŋ]
• for: expecting; anticipating [fər]
• the coming of: the arrival of [ðə ˈkəmɪŋ əv]
• its: belonging to Briony Lodge [ɪts]
• occupant: the person who lives there [ˈɑkjəpənt]

The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes’ succinct description, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected.

• The house: referring to Briony Lodge [ðə haʊs]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• just: exactly; precisely [ʤɪst]
• such as: like; similar to [səʧ ɛz]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• had pictured: had imagined; had visualized [hæd ˈpɪkʧərd]
• it: referring to the house [ɪt]
• from: based on [frəm]
• Sherlock Holmes: referring to a famous fictional detective [ˈʃərˌlɑk hoʊmz]
• succinct description: a brief and clear account [səkˈsɪŋkt dɪˈskrɪpʃən]
• but: conjunction, introducing a contrast [bət]
• the locality: the area; the neighbourhood [ðə loʊˈkæləti]
• appeared: seemed; gave the impression of being [əˈpɪrd]
• to be: infinitive form of 'to be' [tɪ bi]
• less private: not as secluded or isolated [lɛs ˈpraɪvət]
• than: in comparison to [ðən]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• expected: had anticipated [ɪkˈspɛktɪd]

On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was remarkably animated.

• On the contrary: conversely; in opposition to what was just said [ɔn ðə ˈkɑntrɛri]
• for: considering that it is [fər]
• a small street: a street that is not very large [ə smɔl strit]
• in: located within [ɪn]
• a quiet neighbourhood: an area with little noise or activity [ə kwaɪət ˈneɪbərˌhʊd]
• it: referring to the street [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• remarkably: surprisingly; noticeably [rɪˈmɑrkəbli]
• animated: lively; full of activity [ˈænəˌmeɪtɪd]

There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths.

• There: used to indicate existence [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of 'to be', singular [wɑz]
• a group: a number of people together [ə grup]
• of: belonging to; consisting of [əv]
• shabbily dressed: wearing old and worn clothes [shabbily drɛst]
• men: adult males [mɛn]
• smoking: inhaling and exhaling smoke from a cigarette, pipe, etc. [sˈmoʊkɪŋ]
• and: conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• laughing: making sounds of amusement [ˈlæfɪŋ]
• in: located within [ɪn]
• a corner: the place where two walls or lines meet [ə ˈkɔrnər]
• a scissors-grinder: a person who sharpens scissors [ə scissors-grinder]
• with: having; possessing [wɪθ]
• his: belonging to the scissors-grinder [hɪz]
• wheel: a rotating device used for sharpening [wil]
• two guardsmen: two soldiers, typically in ceremonial uniform [tu ˈgɑrdzmɪn]
• who: relative pronoun, referring to the guardsmen [hu]
• were: past tense of 'to be', plural [wər]
• flirting: behaving in a playful, romantic way [ˈflərtɪŋ]
• with: interacting with in a flirtatious manner [wɪθ]
• a nurse-girl: a young woman employed to look after children [ə nurse-girl]
• and: conjunction, connecting two groups [ənd]
• several: more than two but not many [ˈsɛvərəl]
• well-dressed: wearing fashionable and expensive clothes [well-dressed]
• young men: young adult males [jəŋ mɛn]
• who: relative pronoun, referring to the young men [hu]
• were: past tense of 'to be', plural [wər]
• lounging: relaxing; standing or sitting in a lazy way [ˈlaʊnʤɪŋ]
• up and down: back and forth [əp ənd daʊn]
• with: holding; having [wɪθ]
• cigars: rolled tobacco leaves for smoking [sɪˈgɑrz]
• in: located within [ɪn]
• their: belonging to the young men [ðɛr]
• mouths: the opening in the face used for speaking and eating [maʊðz]

“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house, “this marriage rather simplifies matters.

• You see: An introductory phrase used to emphasize a point or explain something [ju si]
• remarked: said; made a comment [rɪˈmɑrkt]
• Holmes: referring to Sherlock Holmes, the detective [hoʊmz]
• as: while; during the time that [ɛz]
• we: referring to Holmes and his companion, likely Dr. Watson [wi]
• paced: walked with slow or regular movements [peɪst]
• to and fro: backwards and forwards; in a repeated movement from one place to another [tɪ ənd froʊ]
• in front of: before; in the area directly ahead of [ɪn frənt əv]
• the house: referring to a specific house relevant to the context [ðə haʊs]
• this marriage: referring to a specific marriage being discussed [ðɪs ˈmɛrɪʤ]
• rather: somewhat; to a certain extent [ˈrəðər]
• simplifies: makes easier or less complicated [ˈsɪmpləˌfaɪz]
• matters: the situation; the issues being dealt with [ˈmætərz]

The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now.

• The photograph: a specific photograph relevant to the case [ðə ˈfoʊtəˌgræf]
• becomes: changes into; turns into [bɪˈkəmz]
• a double-edged weapon: something that can be used both for and against someone; something with both positive and negative consequences [ə double-edged ˈwɛpən]
• now: at this point in time; as a result of the marriage [naʊ]

The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess.

• The chances are: it is likely; it is probable [ðə ˈʧænsɪz ər]
• that: used to introduce a clause expressing the content of the chances [ðət]
• she: referring to a female person relevant to the case [ʃi]
• would be: expressing a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd bi]
• as averse: equally unwilling or opposed [ɛz əˈvərs]
• to: expressing opposition or dislike [tɪ]
• its: referring to the photograph's [ɪts]
• being seen: the act of being viewed or discovered [biɪŋ sin]
• by: by the agency of; through the action of [baɪ]
• Mr. Godfrey Norton: a specific person relevant to the case [ˈmɪstər ˈgɑdfri ˈnɔrtən]
• as: in the same way that; to the same degree that [ɛz]
• our client: the person who has hired Holmes' services [ɑr klaɪənt]
• is: is averse [ɪz]
• to: expressing opposition or dislike [tɪ]
• its: referring to the photograph's [ɪts]
• coming: the act of arriving or being revealed [ˈkəmɪŋ]
• to: reaching; arriving at [tɪ]
• the eyes of: being seen by [ðə aɪz əv]
• his princess: the princess who is associated with the client [hɪz ˈprɪnsɛs]

“Where, indeed?”

• Where, indeed: An expression of agreement and emphasis on the difficulty of the question [wɛr ˌɪnˈdid]

“It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her.

• It: referring to the photograph [ɪt]
• is: is currently [ɪz]
• most unlikely: very improbable; highly unlikely [moʊst ənˈlaɪkli]
• that: introducing a clause stating what is unlikely [ðət]
• she: referring to the woman who possesses the photograph [ʃi]
• carries: has on her person; transports [ˈkɛriz]
• it: referring to the photograph [ɪt]
• about: on one's person; in one's possession [əˈbaʊt]
• with her: accompanying her; on her person [wɪθ hər]

It is cabinet size.

• It: referring to the photograph [ɪt]
• is: is of the size [ɪz]
• cabinet size: a standard size for photographs, typically larger than a wallet photo but smaller than a full portrait [ˈkæbənət saɪz]

Too large for easy concealment about a woman’s dress.

• Too large: excessively large; larger than is convenient [tu lɑrʤ]
• for: in order to be [fər]
• easy concealment: simple hiding or keeping secret [ˈizi kənˈsilmənt]
• about: on or around [əˈbaʊt]
• a woman’s dress: the clothing worn by a woman [ə ˈwʊmənz drɛs]

She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched.

• She: referring to the woman who possesses the photograph [ʃi]
• knows: is aware [noʊz]
• that: introducing a clause stating what she knows [ðət]
• the King: a specific king relevant to the case [ðə kɪŋ]
• is capable: has the ability or power [ɪz ˈkeɪpəbəl]
• of: expressing capability [əv]
• having her waylaid: arranging for her to be stopped or intercepted unexpectedly [ˈhævɪŋ hər ˈweɪˌleɪd]
• and: and also [ənd]
• searched: examined thoroughly for something hidden [sərʧt]

Two attempts of the sort have already been made.

• Two attempts: two instances of trying [tu əˈtɛmpts]
• of the sort: of that kind; similar attempts [əv ðə sɔrt]
• have already been made: have already occurred [hæv ɔˈrɛdi bɪn meɪd]

“Where, then?”

• Where, then: An inquiry about a location, suggesting a previous discussion about a place. "Where" indicates a place, and "then" implies a logical consequence or next step in the inquiry. [wɛr ðɛn]

“Her banker or her lawyer.

• Her banker or her lawyer: Suggests two possible individuals who might hold something of hers. [hər ˈbæŋkər ər hər ˈlɔjər]

There is that double possibility.

• There is that double possibility: Indicates that both the banker and the lawyer are potential options. [ðɛr ɪz ðət ˈdəbəl ˌpɑsəˈbɪləˌti]

But I am inclined to think neither.

• But I am inclined to think neither: Expresses a leaning towards the belief that neither the banker nor the lawyer is the correct answer. [bət aɪ æm ˌɪnˈklaɪnd tɪ θɪŋk ˈniðər]

Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting.

• Women are naturally secretive: A generalization about women's inherent tendency to keep things hidden. [ˈwɪmən ər ˈnæʧərəli ˈsikrətɪv]
• and they like to do their own secreting: They prefer to keep their secrets themselves. [ənd ðeɪ laɪk tɪ du ðɛr oʊn secreting]

Why should she hand it over to anyone else?

• Why should she hand it over to anyone else: A rhetorical question questioning the reason for entrusting someone else with her secrets. [waɪ ʃʊd ʃi hænd ɪt ˈoʊvər tɪ ˈɛniˌwən ɛls]

She could trust her own guardianship, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a business man.

• She could trust her own guardianship: She has confidence in her own ability to protect and keep something safe. [ʃi kʊd trəst hər oʊn ˈgɑrdiənʃɪp]
• but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a business man: She is uncertain about the potential subtle or political pressures that could affect a businessman's decisions. [bət ʃi kʊd nɑt tɛl wət ˌɪndərˈɛkt ər pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈɪnfluəns maɪt bi brɔt tɪ bɛr əˈpɑn ə ˈbɪznɪs mæn]

Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days.

• Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days: Additionally, recall that she intended to use it soon. [ˌbiˈsaɪdz rɪˈmɛmbər ðət ʃi hæd riˈzɑlvd tɪ juz ɪt wɪˈθɪn ə fju deɪz]

It must be where she can lay her hands upon it.

• It must be where she can lay her hands upon it: It needs to be easily accessible to her. [ɪt məst bi wɛr ʃi kən leɪ hər hænz əˈpɑn ɪt]