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(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(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(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(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(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]). Edwin and Morcar(historical figures [ˈɛdwɪn ənd morcar]), the earls of Mercia and Northumbria(noblemen who ruled regions in England [ðə ərlz əv mercia ənd northumbria])—"'
'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(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(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(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(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(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(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 question is(the main point of discussion [ðə kˈwɛʃən ɪz]), what did(asking about a past action [wət dɪd]) the archbishop(a high-ranking religious figure [ðə ˈɑrʧˈbɪʃəp]) find(to discover or locate something [faɪnd])?'
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(William's behavior or actions [ˈwɪljəmz ˈkɑndəkt]) at first(initially; in the beginning [æt fərst]) was moderate(was reasonable or restrained [wɑz ˈmɑdərˌeɪt]). 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(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(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(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]).