'What I was going to say(Indicates the speaker is about to state their intended point. [wət aɪ wɑz goʊɪŋ tɪ seɪ]),' said(Past tense of the verb 'say', indicating who is speaking. [sɛd]) the Dodo(An extinct flightless bird, used here as a character's name. The definite article 'the' implies this Dodo has been previously introduced or is known to the speaker and listener. [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]) in an offended tone(Expressing a feeling of resentment or displeasure. 'In an offended tone' describes the manner in which the Dodo spoke. [ɪn ən əˈfɛndɪd toʊn]), 'was, that(Introducing the content of what the speaker was going to say. [wɑz ðət]) the best thing(The most suitable or desirable action or object. [ðə bɛst θɪŋ]) to get us dry(To cause the speaker and others to become free from moisture. [tɪ gɪt ˈjuˈɛs draɪ]) would be(Expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation. [wʊd bi]) a Caucus-race(A fictional race where the participants run in a circle and start and stop whenever they like, so that everyone wins. The term is capitalized, suggesting it's a specific event or type of race. [ə caucus-race]).'
'What IS(An interrogative phrase, asking for the definition or nature of something. [wət ɪz]) a Caucus-race(A fictional race where the participants run in a circle and start and stop whenever they like, so that everyone wins. The term is capitalized, suggesting it's a specific event or type of race. [ə caucus-race])?' said(Past tense of the verb 'say', indicating who is speaking. [sɛd]) Alice(A character's name. [ˈælɪs]); not that(Introducing a qualification or exception to what was previously stated. [nɑt ðət]) she wanted(Expressing a desire or inclination. [ʃi ˈwɔntɪd]) much to know(Indicating a limited interest in gaining knowledge about the subject. [məʧ tɪ noʊ]), but(A conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement. [bət]) the Dodo(An extinct flightless bird, used here as a character's name. The definite article 'the' implies this Dodo has been previously introduced or is known to the speaker and listener. [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]) had paused(Stopped briefly. [hæd pɔzd]) as if(In a manner suggesting. [ɛz ɪf]) it thought(Expressing a belief or opinion. [ɪt θɔt]) that SOMEBODY(An unspecified person. The capitalization emphasizes the need for someone to speak. [ðət ˈsəmˌbɑdi]) ought to speak(Should or is expected to say something. [ɔt tɪ spik]), and(A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences. [ənd]) no one else(Nobody else; not any other person. [noʊ wən ɛls]) seemed inclined(Appeared willing or disposed. [simd ˌɪnˈklaɪnd]) to say anything(To utter or express something. [tɪ seɪ ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]).
'Why(An interjection indicating surprise, curiosity, or mild protest. [waɪ]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]) the Dodo(referring to a character named Dodo. [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]), 'the best way(the most effective or suitable method. [ðə bɛst weɪ]) to explain it(to provide a clear understanding of something. [tɪ ɪkˈspleɪn ɪt]) is to do it(the most effective way to understand something is to experience it directly. [ɪz tɪ du ɪt]).' (And(introducing an additional related point. [(ənd]), as you might like(since it is possible that you would enjoy. [ɛz ju maɪt laɪk]) to try the thing(to attempt or experiment with something. [tɪ traɪ ðə θɪŋ]) yourself(personally, without assistance. [ˈjɔrsɛlf]), some winter day(on a day during the winter season. [səm ˈwɪntər deɪ]), I will tell you(I will inform you. [aɪ wɪl tɛl ju]) how the Dodo(referring to the character Dodo. [haʊ ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]) managed it(succeeded in doing something. [ˈmænɪʤd ɪt)]).)
First(Indicates the initial step in a sequence. [fərst]) it marked out(to define or delineate a space or course. [ɪt mɑrkt aʊt]) a race-course(a designated path for a race. [ə race-course]), in a sort of circle(roughly circular in shape. [ɪn ə sɔrt əv ˈsərkəl]), ('the exact shape(the precise form or outline. [(ðə ɪgˈzækt ʃeɪp]) doesn't matter(is not important or significant. [ˈdəzənt ˈmætər]),' it said(the Dodo stated. [ɪt sɛd)]),) and then(subsequently, after that. [ənd ðɛn]) all the party(everyone present at the gathering. [ɔl ðə ˈpɑrti]) were placed(were positioned or situated. [wər pleɪst]) along the course(beside or following the race-course. [əˈlɔŋ ðə kɔrs]), here and there(in various locations, scattered around. [hir ənd ðɛr]). There was no(there wasn't any. [ðɛr wɑz noʊ]) 'One, two, three, and away(a traditional starting signal for a race. [wən tu θri ənd əˈweɪ]),' but they began(instead, they started. [bət ðeɪ bɪˈgæn]) running(the act of moving rapidly on foot. [ˈrənɪŋ]) when they liked(at their own preferred time. [wɪn ðeɪ laɪkt]), and left off(stopped. [ənd lɛft ɔf]) when they liked(at their own preferred time. [wɪn ðeɪ laɪkt]), so that(as a result. [soʊ ðət]) it was not easy(it wasn't simple. [ɪt wɑz nɑt ˈizi]) to know(to ascertain or determine. [tɪ noʊ]) when the race(the competition. [wɪn ðə reɪs]) was over(had finished. [wɑz ˈoʊvər]). However(Nevertheless, despite that. [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]), when they had been(after they had spent time. [wɪn ðeɪ hæd bɪn]) running(engaging in the activity of running. [ˈrənɪŋ]) half an hour(thirty minutes. [hæf ən aʊər]) or so(approximately. [ər soʊ]), and were quite dry(and had become completely free of moisture. [ənd wər kwaɪt draɪ]) again(once more. [əˈgɛn]), the Dodo(referring to the character Dodo. [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]) suddenly(abruptly, unexpectedly. [ˈsədənli]) called out(shouted or announced loudly. [kɔld aʊt]) 'The race(the competition. [ðə reɪs]) is over(has finished. [ɪz ˈoʊvər])!' and they all(everyone present. [ənd ðeɪ ɔl]) crowded round(gathered closely around. [ˈkraʊdɪd raʊnd]) it(referring to the Dodo. [ɪt]), panting(breathing heavily. [ˈpæntɪŋ]), and asking(and inquiring. [ənd ˈæskɪŋ]), 'But who(which person. [bət hu]) has won(has emerged victorious. [həz wən])?'
This question(Referring to a question that was previously asked or implied in the context [ðɪs kˈwɛʃən]) the Dodo(Referring to a specific character named Dodo [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]) could not answer(was unable to provide a response [kʊd nɑt ˈænsər]) without a great deal of thought(implying that the question required significant consideration and mental effort [wɪˈθaʊt ə greɪt dil əv θɔt]), and it sat(the Dodo remained seated [ənd ɪt sæt]) for a long time(indicating a considerable duration of time [fər ə lɔŋ taɪm]) with one finger pressed upon its forehead(a gesture indicating deep thought or contemplation [wɪθ wən ˈfɪŋgər prɛst əˈpɑn ɪts ˈfɔrhɛd]) (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him(an explanatory phrase comparing the Dodo's posture to common depictions of Shakespeare [(ðə pəˈzɪʃən ɪn wɪʧ ju ˈjuʒəwəli si ˈʃeɪkˌspir ɪn ðə ˈpɪkʧərz əv ɪm)])), while the rest(referring to the remaining individuals or characters present [waɪl ðə rɛst]) waited in silence(remained quiet and expectant [ˈweɪtɪd ɪn ˈsaɪləns]). At last(Finally; after a period of waiting [æt læst]) the Dodo said(the Dodo spoke [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ sɛd]), 'EVERYBODY has won(everyone present has been successful [ˈɛvriˌbɑdi həz wən]), and all must have prizes(everyone should receive awards [ənd ɔl məst hæv ˈpraɪzɪz]).'
'But who is to give the prizes(A question asking who will be responsible for distributing the awards [bət hu ɪz tɪ gɪv ðə ˈpraɪzɪz])?' quite a chorus of voices(many voices speaking together, like a choir [kwaɪt ə ˈkɔrəs əv ˈvɔɪsɪz]) asked(they inquired [æst]).
'Why, SHE, of course(An exclamation indicating that the answer should be obvious, referring to a female individual [waɪ ʃi əv kɔrs]),' said the Dodo(the Dodo character spoke [sɛd ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]), pointing to Alice(gesturing towards the character named Alice [ˈpɔɪntɪŋ tɪ ˈælɪs]) with one finger(using a single finger to indicate direction [wɪθ wən ˈfɪŋgər]); and the whole party(all the individuals present [ənd ðə hoʊl ˈpɑrti]) at once(immediately; without delay [æt wəns]) crowded round her(gathered closely around Alice [ˈkraʊdɪd raʊnd hər]), calling out(shouting or exclaiming loudly [ˈkɔlɪŋ aʊt]) in a confused way(in a disorganized and unclear manner [ɪn ə kənfˈjuzd weɪ]), 'Prizes! Prizes(repeatedly shouting the word 'Prizes' to express excitement or demand [ˈpraɪzɪz ˈpraɪzɪz])!'
Alice(a proper noun, likely the name of the main character [ˈælɪs]) had no idea(did not know; lacked understanding [hæd noʊ aɪˈdiə]) what to do(the course of action to take [wət tɪ du]), and in despair(feeling a complete loss of hope [ənd ɪn dɪˈspɛr]) she put her hand in her pocket(she reached into her pocket with her hand [ʃi pʊt hər hænd ɪn hər ˈpɑkət]), and pulled out(took out; extracted [ənd pʊld aʊt]) a box of comfits(a box containing small candies or sweets [ə bɑks əv comfits]), (luckily(fortunately; by good luck [ˈləkəli]) the salt water(water containing salt, likely seawater [ðə sɔlt ˈwɔtər]) had not got into it(had not entered or affected the box of comfits [hæd nɑt gɑt ˈɪntu ɪt])), and handed them round(distributed the comfits to everyone present [ənd ˈhændɪd ðɛm raʊnd]) as prizes(as rewards or gifts [ɛz ˈpraɪzɪz]). There was exactly one a-piece all round(Each person received exactly one comfit [ðɛr wɑz ɪgˈzæktli wən a-piece ɔl raʊnd]).
'But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) she must have(it is necessary for her to receive [ʃi məst hæv]) a prize herself(a reward for herself [ə praɪz hərˈsɛlf]), you know(used to emphasize that the listener should understand or agree with what is being said [ju noʊ]),' said the Mouse(the Mouse spoke [sɛd ðə maʊs]).
'Of course(certainly; definitely [əv kɔrs]),' the Dodo replied(the Dodo answered [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ rɪˈplaɪd]) very gravely(in a serious and solemn manner [ˈvɛri ˈgreɪvli]). 'What else(what other things [wət ɛls]) have you got(do you possess [hæv ju gɑt]) in your pocket(inside your pocket [ɪn jʊr ˈpɑkət])?' he went on(he continued speaking [hi wɛnt ɔn]), turning to Alice(addressing Alice [ˈtərnɪŋ tɪ ˈælɪs]).