Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 11

At last the Mouse, who seemed to be a person of authority among them, called out, 'Sit down, all of you, and listen to me!

• At last: Finally; after some delay or difficulty [æt læst]
• the Mouse: a character in the story, referring to a mouse [ðə maʊs]
• who seemed to be: who gave the impression of being [hu simd tɪ bi]
• a person of authority: someone who appears to have control or influence [ə ˈpərsən əv əˈθɔrəti]
• among them: within the group of people or animals present [əˈməŋ ðɛm]
• called out: spoke loudly; shouted [kɔld aʊt]
• Sit down: take a seat [sɪt daʊn]
• all of you: everyone present [ɔl əv ju]
• and listen to me: pay attention to what I am about to say [ənd ˈlɪsən tɪ mi]

I'LL soon make you dry enough!' They all sat down at once, in a large ring, with the Mouse in the middle.

• I'LL: contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action [aɪl]
• soon make you dry enough: will quickly make you sufficiently dry [sun meɪk ju draɪ ɪˈnəf]
• They all sat down: everyone took a seat [ðeɪ ɔl sæt daʊn]
• at once: immediately; without delay [æt wəns]
• in a large ring: forming a circle [ɪn ə lɑrʤ rɪŋ]
• with the Mouse in the middle: the Mouse being positioned at the center of the circle [wɪθ ðə maʊs ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl]

Alice kept her eyes anxiously fixed on it, for she felt sure she would catch a bad cold if she did not get dry very soon.

• Alice kept her eyes: Alice continued to look [ˈælɪs kɛpt hər aɪz]
• anxiously fixed on it: staring intently and worriedly at the Mouse [ˈæŋkʃəsli fɪkst ɔn ɪt]
• for she felt sure: because she was certain [fər ʃi fɛlt ʃʊr]
• she would catch a bad cold: she would become ill with a cold [ʃi wʊd kæʧ ə bæd koʊld]
• if she did not get dry: unless she became dry [ɪf ʃi dɪd nɑt gɪt draɪ]
• very soon: in a short amount of time [ˈvɛri sun]

'Ahem!' said the Mouse with an important air, 'are you all ready?

• Ahem: an utterance to attract attention [ahem]
• said the Mouse: the Mouse spoke [sɛd ðə maʊs]
• with an important air: behaving as if he were significant or authoritative [wɪθ ən ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ɛr]
• are you all ready: is everyone prepared [ər ju ɔl ˈrɛdi]

This is the driest thing I know.

• This is: introducing what follows [ðɪs ɪz]
• the driest thing: the most boring or uninteresting thing [ðə draɪəst θɪŋ]
• I know: that I am aware of [aɪ noʊ]

Silence all round, if you please! "William the Conqueror, whose cause was favoured by the pope, was soon submitted to by the English, who wanted leaders, and had been of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest.

• Silence all round: everyone be quiet [ˈsaɪləns ɔl raʊnd]
• if you please: a polite request [ɪf ju pliz]
• William the Conqueror: historical figure who conquered England in 1066 [ˈwɪljəm ðə ˈkɑŋkərər]
• whose cause: the reason or aim he supported [huz kɔz]
• was favoured by the pope: received support from the Pope [wɑz favoured baɪ ðə poʊp]
• was soon submitted to: was quickly accepted and obeyed [wɑz sun səbˈmɪtəd tɪ]
• by the English: by the people of England [baɪ ðə ˈɪŋlɪʃ]
• who wanted leaders: who were in need of guidance and direction [hu ˈwɔntɪd ˈlidərz]
• and had been of late: and recently had been [ənd hæd bɪn əv leɪt]
• much accustomed to: very used to [məʧ əˈkəstəmd tɪ]
• usurpation and conquest: taking power illegally and being invaded [ˌjusərˈpeɪʃən ənd ˈkɑŋkwɛst]

'Ugh!' said the Lory, with a shiver.

• Ugh: An exclamation expressing disgust or distaste [əg]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating the act of speaking [sɛd]
• the Lory: a character in the story, identified as a Lory (a type of bird [ðə ˈlɔri]
• with a shiver: indicating that the Lory trembled, usually from cold or fear [wɪθ ə ˈʃɪvər]

'I beg your pardon!' said the Mouse, frowning, but very politely: 'Did you speak?'

• I beg your pardon: A polite expression used to apologize or ask someone to repeat something [aɪ bɛg jʊr ˈpɑrdən]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating the act of speaking [sɛd]
• the Mouse: a character in the story, identified as a Mouse [ðə maʊs]
• frowning: making a facial expression indicating displeasure or disapproval [ˈfraʊnɪŋ]
• but: a conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• very politely: in a very courteous and respectful manner [ˈvɛri pəˈlaɪtli]
• Did you speak: a question asking if someone had said something [dɪd ju spik]

'Not I!' said the Lory hastily.

• Not I: An emphatic way of saying 'I did not' or 'It wasn't me' [nɑt aɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating the act of speaking [sɛd]
• the Lory: a character in the story, identified as a Lory [ðə ˈlɔri]
• hastily: quickly and without much thought [ˈheɪstəli]

'I thought you did,' said the Mouse. '—I proceed. "Edwin and Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria, declared for him: and even Stigand, the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury, found it advisable—"'

• I thought: past tense of 'think', indicating a past belief or opinion [aɪ θɔt]
• you did: referring to the previous question of whether someone spoke [ju dɪd]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating the act of speaking [sɛd]
• the Mouse: a character in the story, identified as a Mouse [ðə maʊs]
• I proceed: Indicates the Mouse is continuing with a narrative or story [-aɪ pərˈsid]
• Edwin and Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria, declared for him: Historical figures and regions are mentioned, indicating a declaration of support for someone [ˈɛdwɪn ənd morcar ðə ərlz əv mercia ənd northumbria dɪˈklɛrd fər ɪm]
• and: a conjunction used to connect two related clauses [ənd]
• even: used to emphasize that something is surprising or unexpected [ˈivɪn]
• Stigand, the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury: A historical figure, the archbishop of Canterbury, described as patriotic [stigand ðə ˌpeɪtriˈɑtɪk ˈɑrʧˈbɪʃəp əv ˈkæntərˌbɛri]
• found it advisable: suggesting that Stigand considered something to be a sensible course of action [faʊnd ɪt ədˈvaɪzəbəl-]

'Found WHAT?' said the Duck.

• Found WHAT: A question asking what was found; expressing confusion or curiosity [faʊnd wət]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating the act of speaking [sɛd]
• the Duck: a character in the story, identified as a Duck [ðə dək]

'Found IT,' the Mouse replied rather crossly: 'of course you know what "it" means.'

• Found IT: Referring to the pronoun 'it' from the previous statement [faʊnd ɪt]
• the Mouse: a character in the story, identified as a Mouse [ðə maʊs]
• replied: responded [rɪˈplaɪd]
• rather crossly: in an annoyed or irritated manner [ˈrəðər crossly]
• of course: used to indicate that something is obvious or should be known [əv kɔrs]
• you know: to have knowledge of something [ju noʊ]
• what "it" means: asking if the listener understands the reference of the pronoun 'it' [wət ɪt minz]

'I know what "it" means well enough, when I find a thing,' said the Duck: 'it's generally a frog or a worm.

• I know: to have knowledge of something [aɪ noʊ]
• what "it" means: understanding the reference of the pronoun 'it' [wət ɪt minz]
• well enough: sufficiently; adequately [wɛl ɪˈnəf]
• when I find: when the speaker discovers or locates something [wɪn aɪ faɪnd]
• a thing: referring to an object or item [ə θɪŋ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating the act of speaking [sɛd]
• the Duck: a character in the story, identified as a Duck [ðə dək]
• it's: contraction of 'it is', referring to the thing found [ɪts]
• generally: usually; in most cases [ˈʤɛnərəli]
• a frog: an amphibian [ə frɑg]
• or: a conjunction used to connect two alternatives [ər]
• a worm: a type of invertebrate [ə wərm]

The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, '"—found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown.

• The Mouse: Refers to a character in the story, a mouse [ðə maʊs]
• did not notice: past tense of 'do not notice', meaning to not pay attention to something [dɪd nɑt ˈnoʊtɪs]
• this question: referring to a question that was previously asked [ðɪs kˈwɛʃən]
• but: a conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said [bət]
• hurriedly: in a hurried manner; quickly or hastily [ˈhəridli]
• went on: continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]
• found it advisable: found it beneficial or wise [-faʊnd ɪt ədˈvaɪzəbəl]
• to go with: to accompany someone [tɪ goʊ wɪθ]
• Edgar Atheling: a historical figure, an English prince [ˈɛdgər atheling]
• to meet: to encounter or come into the presence of someone [tɪ mit]
• William: likely referring to William the Conqueror [ˈwɪljəm]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• offer him: to present something to someone for acceptance or rejection [ˈɔfər ɪm]
• the crown: the symbolic headwear of a monarch, representing royal power [ðə kraʊn]

William's conduct at first was moderate.

• William's conduct: William's behavior or actions [ˈwɪljəmz ˈkɑndəkt]
• at first: initially; in the beginning [æt fərst]
• was moderate: was reasonable or restrained [wɑz ˈmɑdərˌeɪt]

But the insolence of his Normans—" How are you getting on now, my dear?' it continued, turning to Alice as it spoke.

• But: a conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said [bət]
• the insolence: rude and disrespectful behavior [ðə ˈɪnsələns]
• of his Normans: referring to the Norman people under William's rule [əv hɪz normans]
• How are you getting on: How are you progressing or doing [haʊ ər ju ˈgɪtɪŋ ɔn]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• my dear: a term of endearment [maɪ dɪr]
• it continued: the Mouse continued speaking [ɪt kənˈtɪnjud]
• turning to: shifting its gaze or attention towards [ˈtərnɪŋ tɪ]
• Alice: a character in the story [ˈælɪs]
• as it spoke: while it was talking [ɛz ɪt spoʊk]

'As wet as ever,' said Alice in a melancholy tone: 'it doesn't seem to dry me at all.'

• As wet as ever: Meaning still very wet, no improvement in dryness [ɛz wɛt ɛz ˈɛvər]
• said Alice: Alice, a character, is speaking [sɛd ˈælɪs]
• in a melancholy tone: Speaking in a sad or gloomy way [ɪn ə ˈmɛlənˌkɑli toʊn]
• it doesn't seem: It appears not to be [ɪt ˈdəzənt sim]
• to dry me: To make me less wet [tɪ draɪ mi]
• at all: In any way; to any extent [æt ɔl]

'In that case,' said the Dodo solemnly, rising to its feet, 'I move that the meeting adjourn, for the immediate adoption of more energetic remedies—'

• In that case: Given the situation that has been described [ɪn ðət keɪs]
• said the Dodo: The Dodo, a character, is speaking [sɛd ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]
• solemnly: In a serious and dignified manner [ˈsɔləmli]
• rising to its feet: Standing up [ˈraɪzɪŋ tɪ ɪts fit]
• I move: A formal way of proposing something in a meeting [aɪ muv]
• that the meeting adjourn: That the meeting be suspended or ended [ðət ðə ˈmitɪŋ əˈʤərn]
• for the immediate adoption: In order to quickly implement [fər ðə ˌɪˈmiˌdiət əˈdɑpʃən]
• of more energetic remedies: Of more powerful or effective solutions [əv mɔr ˌɛnərˈʤɛtɪk ˈrɛmədiz]

'Speak English!' said the Eaglet. 'I don't know the meaning of half those long words, and, what's more, I don't believe you do either!' And the Eaglet bent down its head to hide a smile: some of the other birds tittered audibly.

• Speak English: An imperative sentence, urging someone to communicate in English. The exclamation mark emphasizes the command. [spik ˈɪŋlɪʃ]
• said: Past tense of the verb 'say', indicating who is speaking. [sɛd]
• the Eaglet: A young eagle, used here as a character's name. The definite article 'the' implies this Eaglet has been previously introduced or is known to the speaker and listener. [ðə eaglet]
• I don't know: A contraction of 'I do not know', expressing a lack of understanding. [aɪ doʊnt noʊ]
• the meaning: The significance or definition of something. [ðə ˈminɪŋ]
• of half: One of two equal or nearly equal parts of a whole. In this context, it refers to a significant portion. [əv hæf]
• those long words: Refers to words that are lengthy in terms of syllables or letters. 'Those' indicates the words are being pointed out or referred to specifically. [ðoʊz lɔŋ wərdz]
• and, what's more: An idiomatic expression used to add emphasis to a statement. It indicates that what follows is even more significant or surprising. [ənd wəts mɔr]
• I don't believe: Expresses disbelief or doubt. [aɪ doʊnt bɪˈliv]
• you do either: Indicates that the speaker does not believe the listener understands the words either. 'Either' is used to show agreement with a negative statement. The exclamation mark adds emphasis. [ju du ˈiðər]
• And: A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences. [ənd]
• the Eaglet: A young eagle, used here as a character's name. The definite article 'the' implies this Eaglet has been previously introduced or is known to the speaker and listener. [ðə eaglet]
• bent down: Lowered or inclined the body or head. [bɛnt daʊn]
• its head: The upper part of the body, containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. 'Its' is a possessive pronoun referring to the Eaglet. [ɪts hɛd]
• to hide: To conceal or keep out of sight. [tɪ haɪd]
• a smile: A facial expression indicating pleasure or amusement. [ə smaɪl]
• some of: A portion or unspecified number of. [səm əv]
• the other birds: Birds that are not the Eaglet. 'The' implies these birds are present or have been previously mentioned. [ðə ˈəðər bərdz]
• tittered audibly: Giggled or laughed quietly in a nervous or suppressed way, in a manner that could be heard. [tittered ˈɑdəbli]