A Scandal in Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle- page 17

“He can’t lie in the street.

• He: referring to the injured gentleman [hi]
• can’t: contraction of 'cannot', meaning is not able to [kænt]
• lie: to be in a horizontal position [laɪ]
• in the street: a public road in a city or town [ɪn ðə strit]

“Surely.

• Surely: certainly; of course [ˈʃʊrli]

Bring him into the sitting-room.

• Bring: to take or carry someone or something to a place [brɪŋ]
• him: referring to the injured gentleman [ɪm]
• into: to the inside of [ˈɪntu]
• the sitting-room: a room in a house where people sit and relax [ðə sitting-room]

There is a comfortable sofa.

• There: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
• is: third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]
• a comfortable sofa: 'comfortable' means providing physical ease and relaxation; 'sofa' is a long upholstered seat with a back and arms [ə ˈkəmfərtəbəl ˈsoʊfə]

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window.

• Slowly: in a slow manner; at a slow pace [sˈloʊli]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• solemnly: in a formal and dignified manner [ˈsɔləmli]
• he: referring to a male person previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• was borne: past passive form of 'bear', meaning to be carried or transported [wɑz bɔrn]
• into: expressing movement or direction toward the inside of a place [ˈɪntu]
• Briony Lodge: a specific location, likely a house or building with the name 'Briony Lodge' [ˈbraɪəˌni lɑʤ]
• and: connecting the previous action with the next [ənd]
• laid out: arranged in a particular way; in this context, likely meaning placed in a reclining position [leɪd aʊt]
• in: expressing location or position within an area [ɪn]
• the principal room: the main or most important room in a building [ðə ˈprɪnsəpəl rum]
• while: during the time that; at the same time as [waɪl]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• still: continuing to do something or be in a particular state [stɪl]
• observed: noticed or perceived something [əbˈzərvd]
• the proceedings: a series of actions or events in a particular order or with a particular purpose [ðə prəˈsidɪŋz]
• from: indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]
• my post: the place where someone is stationed or standing [maɪ poʊst]
• by: next to or at the side of [baɪ]
• the window: an opening in a wall or roof to let in light or air [ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]

The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch.

• The: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• lamps: devices that produce light [læmps]
• had been lit: past perfect passive form of 'light', meaning they had been turned on [hæd bɪn lɪt]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• the blinds: window coverings used to block light or provide privacy [ðə blaɪndz]
• had not been drawn: past perfect passive form of 'draw', meaning they had not been pulled down or across the window [hæd nɑt bɪn drɔn]
• so that: with the result that; in order that [soʊ ðət]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• could see: was able to see [kʊd si]
• Holmes: a proper noun, likely referring to the character Sherlock Holmes [hoʊmz]
• as: in the manner or way that [ɛz]
• he: referring to Holmes [hi]
• lay: past tense of 'lie', meaning to be in or assume a horizontal position on a surface [leɪ]
• upon: on; on top of [əˈpɑn]
• the couch: a long upholstered piece of furniture for sitting or reclining [ðə kaʊʧ]

I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man.

• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• do not know: to be uncertain or unaware of something [du nɑt noʊ]
• whether: expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]
• he: referring to Holmes [hi]
• was seized: past passive form of 'seize', meaning to be suddenly affected by a strong emotion or condition [wɑz sizd]
• with: expressing the relationship between two things [wɪθ]
• compunction: a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad [kəmˈpəŋkʃən]
• at: expressing a particular point in time [æt]
• that: referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]
• moment: a very brief period of time [ˈmoʊmənt]
• for: because of; on account of [fər]
• the part: the role or character that someone plays [ðə pɑrt]
• he: referring to Holmes [hi]
• was playing: was pretending or acting [wɑz pleɪɪŋ]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• know: to be aware of something [noʊ]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• never: at no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]
• felt: past tense of 'feel', meaning to experience an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]
• more: a greater amount or degree of [mɔr]
• heartily: sincerely; genuinely [ˈhɑrtəli]
• ashamed: feeling embarrassment or guilt because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations [əˈʃeɪmd]
• of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
• myself: the speaker or writer referring to their own person [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• in: expressing location or position within an area [ɪn]
• my life: the period of time during which someone has lived [maɪ laɪf]
• than: used to introduce the second element in a comparison [ðən]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• saw: past tense of 'see', meaning to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]
• the beautiful creature: a person, likely female, who is considered attractive [ðə ˈbjutəfəl ˈkriʧər]
• against: in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• whom: relative pronoun referring to the object of a verb or preposition [hum]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• was conspiring: past continuous tense of 'conspire', meaning to plan secretly to do something harmful or illegal [wɑz kənˈspaɪrɪŋ]
• or: used to link alternatives or possibilities [ər]
• the grace: elegance or beauty of movement or expression [ðə greɪs]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• kindliness: the quality of being kind; kindness [kindliness]
• with: expressing the relationship between two things [wɪθ]
• which: relative pronoun referring to things [wɪʧ]
• she: referring to a female person previously mentioned or easily identified [ʃi]
• waited: past tense of 'wait', meaning to remain in a place or state of readiness or expectation [ˈweɪtɪd]
• upon: serving or attending to someone [əˈpɑn]
• the injured man: a man who has been hurt or wounded [ðə ˈɪnʤərd mæn]

And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted to me.

• And: used to connect clauses or sentences, indicating a continuation or addition [ənd]
• yet: but; nevertheless [jɛt]
• it: referring to a situation or action [ɪt]
• would be: conditional form of 'be', expressing a hypothetical situation [wʊd bi]
• the blackest treachery: the most extreme form of betrayal or deceit [ðə ˈblækəst ˈtrɛʧəri]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• Holmes: a proper noun, likely referring to the character Sherlock Holmes [hoʊmz]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• draw back: to withdraw or retreat [drɔ bæk]
• now: at the present time or moment [naʊ]
• from: indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]
• the part: the role or character that someone plays [ðə pɑrt]
• which: relative pronoun referring to things [wɪʧ]
• he: referring to Holmes [hi]
• had intrusted: past perfect tense of 'intrust', meaning to give someone the responsibility of doing something or caring for someone or something [hæd intrusted]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• me: the speaker or writer referring to themselves as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]

I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster.

• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• hardened: past tense of 'harden', meaning to become or make something more firm or resolute [ˈhɑrdənd]
• my heart: used metaphorically to represent one's emotions or feelings [maɪ hɑrt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• took: past tense of 'take', meaning to get hold of something [tʊk]
• the smoke-rocket: a type of firework that emits smoke [ðə smoke-rocket]
• from: indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]
• under: beneath or below [ˈəndər]
• my: belonging to or associated with the speaker or writer [maɪ]
• ulster: a long, loose overcoat [ˈəlstər]

After all, I thought, we are not injuring her.

• After all: in spite of everything; considering everything [ˈæftər ɔl]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]
• we: the speaker or writer including themselves with others [wi]
• are not injuring: present continuous tense of 'injure', meaning to do physical harm or damage to someone or something [ər nɑt ˈɪnʤərɪŋ]
• her: referring to a female person previously mentioned or easily identified as the object of a verb or preposition [hər]

We are but preventing her from injuring another.

• We: the speaker or writer including themselves with others [wi]
• are: present tense of 'be' [ər]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• preventing: keeping something from happening [prɪˈvɛnɪŋ]
• her: referring to a female person previously mentioned or easily identified as the object of a verb or preposition [hər]
• from: indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]
• injuring: doing physical harm or damage to someone or something [ˈɪnʤərɪŋ]
• another: a different person or thing [əˈnəðər]

Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air.

• Holmes: The surname of a person, likely the protagonist or a character in the story [hoʊmz]
• had sat up: past perfect tense of 'sit up', indicating that Holmes had moved from a lying or reclining position to a sitting position [hæd sæt əp]
• upon the couch: on the sofa; 'upon' is a more formal way of saying 'on' [əˈpɑn ðə kaʊʧ]
• and I saw him motion: The narrator observed Holmes making a gesture or movement [ənd aɪ sɔ ɪm ˈmoʊʃən]
• like a man: similar to the way a man would move [laɪk ə mæn]
• who is in need of air: describing someone who requires fresh air, possibly due to feeling suffocated or unwell [hu ɪz ɪn nid əv ɛr]

A maid rushed across and threw open the window.

• A maid: a female servant [ə meɪd]
• rushed across: moved quickly to the other side of the room [rəʃt əˈkrɔs]
• and threw open the window: quickly opened the window wide [ənd θru ˈoʊpən ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]

At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of “Fire!” The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servant maids—joined in a general shriek of “Fire!” Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window.

• At the same instant: at the very same moment [æt ðə seɪm ˈɪnstənt]
• I saw him raise his hand: The narrator witnessed Holmes lifting his hand [aɪ sɔ ɪm reɪz hɪz hænd]
• and at the signal: following a prearranged cue or sign [ənd æt ðə ˈsɪgnəl]
• I tossed my rocket: The narrator threw a device, possibly a firework or signaling device, referred to as a 'rocket' [aɪ tɔst maɪ ˈrɑkət]
• into the room: directed towards the inside of the room [ˈɪntu ðə rum]
• The word: referring to the exclamation "Fire!" [ðə wərd]
• was no sooner out of my mouth: immediately after the narrator spoke [wɑz noʊ ˈsunər aʊt əv maɪ maʊθ]
• than the whole crowd of spectators: the entire group of people watching [ðən ðə hoʊl kraʊd əv ˈspɛkteɪtərz]
• well dressed and ill—gentlemen: people who are well-dressed and those who are not gentlemen [wɛl drɛst ənd ill-gentlemen]
• ostlers: people employed to look after horses, especially at an inn [ostlers]
• and servant maids: female servants [ənd ˈsərvənt meɪdz]
• Thick clouds of smoke: dense masses of smoke [θɪk klaʊdz əv smoʊk]
• curled through the room: moved in a spiral or winding pattern throughout the room [kərld θru ðə rum]
• and out at the open window: exiting through the opened window [ənd aʊt æt ðə ˈoʊpən ˈwɪndoʊ]

I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm.

• I caught a glimpse: I briefly saw [aɪ kɔt ə glɪmps]
• of rushing figures: people moving quickly [əv ˈrəʃɪŋ ˈfɪgjərz]
• and a moment later: shortly after [ənd ə ˈmoʊmənt ˈleɪtər]
• the voice of Holmes: the sound of Holmes speaking [ðə vɔɪs əv hoʊmz]
• from within: from inside the room [frəm wɪˈθɪn]
• assuring them: reassuring the people [əˈʃʊrɪŋ ðɛm]
• that it was a false alarm: that the fire was not real [ðət ɪt wɑz ə fɔls əˈlɑrm]

Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend’s arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar.

• Slipping through the shouting crowd: moving stealthily through the noisy group of people [sˈlɪpɪŋ θru ðə ˈʃaʊtɪŋ kraʊd]
• I made my way: I moved [aɪ meɪd maɪ weɪ]
• to the corner of the street: towards the intersection of two streets [tɪ ðə ˈkɔrnər əv ðə strit]
• and in ten minutes: after a period of ten minutes [ənd ɪn tɛn ˈmɪnəts]
• was rejoiced: was very happy [wɑz rɪˈʤɔɪst]
• to find my friend’s arm in mine: to have my friend's arm linked with mine [tɪ faɪnd maɪ frɛndz ɑrm ɪn maɪn]
• and to get away from the scene of uproar: and to leave the chaotic situation [ənd tɪ gɪt əˈweɪ frəm ðə sin əv ˈəˌprɔr]

He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road.

• He walked swiftly: He walked quickly [hi wɔkt sˈwɪftli]
• and in silence: without speaking [ənd ɪn ˈsaɪləns]
• for some few minutes: for a short period of time [fər səm fju ˈmɪnəts]
• until we had turned down: until we had walked along [ənˈtɪl wi hæd tərnd daʊn]
• one of the quiet streets: one of the streets with little noise or activity [wən əv ðə kwaɪət strits]
• which lead towards the Edgeware Road: that goes in the direction of Edgeware Road [wɪʧ lɛd təˈwɔrdz ðə edgeware roʊd]