'I shall do nothing of the sort(Expression of strong refusal or disagreement. 'I' indicates the speaker, 'shall' expresses determination, 'do nothing of the sort' means to not do what was suggested or requested. The comma indicates a pause. [aɪ ʃæl du ˈnəθɪŋ əv ðə sɔrt]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the Mouse(identifies the speaker as 'the Mouse', the comma indicates a pause [ðə maʊs]), getting up(the action of rising from a sitting or lying position [ˈgɪtɪŋ əp]) and(conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) walking away(the action of leaving a place by walking. The period indicates the end of the sentence. [ˈwɔkɪŋ əˈweɪ]). 'You insult me('You' refers to the person being addressed, 'insult' means to say or do something disrespectful or offensive [ju ˌɪnˈsəlt mi]) by talking(the action of speaking, 'by' indicates the means or method [baɪ ˈtɔkɪŋ]) such nonsense!'
'I didn't mean it('I' refers to the speaker, 'didn't mean it' means the speaker did not intend to cause offense or harm. The exclamation mark indicates surprise or regret. [aɪ ˈdɪdənt min ɪt])!' pleaded(past tense of 'plead', meaning to beg or appeal urgently [ˈplidɪd]) poor Alice('poor' expresses sympathy for Alice, Alice is the name of the speaker. The period indicates the end of the sentence. [pur ˈælɪs]). 'But you're('But' introduces a contrast, 'you're' is a contraction of 'you are', referring to the person being addressed [bət jʊr]) so easily offended('so' emphasizes the degree, 'easily offended' means easily upset or angered by something said or done [soʊ ˈizəli əˈfɛndɪd]), you know!'
The Mouse(refers to the character 'The Mouse' [ðə maʊs]) only(indicates that this was the sole action [ˈoʊnli]) growled(made a low, guttural sound of hostility or warning [graʊld]) in reply(as a response. The period indicates the end of the sentence. [ɪn rɪˈplaɪ]).
'Please come back('Please' is a polite request, 'come back' means to return to the previous location [pliz kəm bæk]) and(conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) finish your story('finish' means to complete, 'your story' refers to the story the Mouse was telling. The exclamation mark indicates enthusiasm. [ˈfɪnɪʃ jʊr ˈstɔri])!' Alice(identifies the speaker as Alice [ˈælɪs]) called(past tense of 'call', meaning to speak loudly [kɔld]) after it('after it' means to call to the Mouse as it was leaving. The semicolon indicates a pause. [ˈæftər ɪt]); and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) the others(refers to the other characters present [ðə ˈəðərz]) all(emphasizes that everyone joined in [ɔl]) joined(past tense of 'join', meaning to participate [ʤɔɪnd]) in chorus('in chorus' means speaking or singing together at the same time, the comma indicates a pause [ɪn ˈkɔrəs]), 'Yes, please do('Yes' indicates agreement, 'please do' is a polite request. The exclamation mark indicates enthusiasm. [jɛs pliz du])!' but(conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]) the Mouse(refers to the character 'The Mouse' [ðə maʊs]) only(indicates that this was the sole action [ˈoʊnli]) shook(past tense of 'shake', meaning to move quickly up and down or side to side [ʃʊk]) its(possessive pronoun referring to the Mouse [ɪts]) head(the part of the body above the neck [hɛd]) impatiently(in a way that shows irritation or annoyance, the comma indicates a pause [ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəntli]), and(conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) walked(past tense of 'walk', meaning to move on foot [wɔkt]) a little(slightly [ə ˈlɪtəl]) quicker(at a faster pace. The period indicates the end of the sentence. [kˈwɪkər]).
'What a pity('What a pity' expresses regret or disappointment [wət ə ˈpɪti]) it wouldn't stay('it' refers to the Mouse, 'wouldn't stay' means it refused to remain. The exclamation mark indicates disappointment. [ɪt ˈwʊdənt steɪ])!' sighed(past tense of 'sigh', meaning to let out a long, deep breath expressing sadness or relief [saɪd]) the Lory(identifies the speaker as 'the Lory', the comma indicates a pause [ðə ˈlɔri]), as soon as(immediately after [ɛz sun ɛz]) it was('it' refers to the Mouse [ɪt wɑz]) quite(completely [kwaɪt]) out of sight(no longer visible. The semicolon indicates a pause. [aʊt əv saɪt]); and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) an old Crab(refers to an elderly crab [ən oʊld kræb]) took(past tense of 'take', meaning to seize or make use of [tʊk]) the opportunity(a favorable time or chance [ðə ˌɑpərˈtunəti]) of saying(the action of speaking [əv seɪɪŋ]) to her daughter(addressing her female offspring [tɪ hər ˈdɔtər]) 'Ah, my dear('Ah' expresses emotion, 'my dear' is a term of endearment. The exclamation mark indicates emphasis. [ɑ maɪ dɪr])! Let this('Let this' means allow this to [lɛt ðɪs]) be a lesson(serve as a learning experience [bi ə ˈlɛsən]) to you(for the person being addressed [tɪ ju]) never(at no time in the future [ˈnɛvər]) to lose(to misplace or be deprived of [tɪ luz]) YOUR temper('YOUR' emphasizes personal possession, 'temper' refers to a state of anger or irritability. The exclamation mark indicates a warning. [jʊr ˈtɛmpər])!' 'Hold your tongue('Hold your tongue' is an idiom meaning to be silent or stop talking, the comma indicates a pause [hoʊld jʊr təŋ]), Ma('Ma' is an informal term for mother. The exclamation mark indicates annoyance. [mɑ])!' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the young Crab(identifies the speaker as 'the young Crab', the comma indicates a pause [ðə jəŋ kræb]), a little(slightly [ə ˈlɪtəl]) snappishly(in an irritable or bad-tempered way. The period indicates the end of the sentence. [snappishly]). 'You're('You're' is a contraction of 'you are', referring to the person being addressed [jʊr]) enough(sufficient to cause something [ɪˈnəf]) to try(to test or strain [tɪ traɪ]) the patience(the ability to tolerate delay or suffering [ðə ˈpeɪʃəns]) of an oyster!'
'I wish I had(Expressing a desire to possess something in the past, but it is not currently the case [aɪ wɪʃ aɪ hæd]) our Dinah(Referring to a specific cat named Dinah, belonging to the speaker and others [ɑr ˈdaɪnə]) here, I know I do(Expressing a strong desire for Dinah to be present [hir aɪ noʊ aɪ du])!' said Alice aloud(Alice spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard [sɛd ˈælɪs əˈlaʊd]), addressing nobody in particular(Speaking without intending to communicate with anyone specific [æˈdrɛsɪŋ ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi ɪn ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr]). 'She'd(Contraction of 'she would', indicating what Dinah would do [ʃid]) soon fetch it back!'
'And who is Dinah(Asking for the identity of Dinah [ənd hu ɪz ˈdaɪnə]), if I might venture to ask the question(A polite way of asking for permission to inquire about Dinah's identity [ɪf aɪ maɪt ˈvɛnʧər tɪ æsk ðə kˈwɛʃən])?' said the Lory.
Alice replied eagerly(Alice responded with enthusiasm and excitement [ˈælɪs rɪˈplaɪd ˈigərli]), for she was always ready to talk about her pet(Because she enjoyed discussing her animal companion [fər ʃi wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈrɛdi tɪ tɔk əˈbaʊt hər pɛt]): 'Dinah's our cat(Dinah is the cat that belongs to us [dinahs ɑr kæt]). And she's such a capital one(And she is an excellent cat [ənd ʃiz səʧ ə ˈkæpɪtəl wən]) for catching mice(Specifically good at hunting mice [fər ˈkæʧɪŋ maɪs]) you can't think(It's hard to imagine how good she is [ju kænt θɪŋk])! And oh, I wish you could see her(Expressing a desire for the listener to witness Dinah's behavior [ənd oʊ aɪ wɪʃ ju kʊd si hər]) after the birds(When she is chasing birds [ˈæftər ðə bərdz])! Why, she'll eat a little bird(She is capable of eating a small bird [waɪ ʃil it ə ˈlɪtəl bərd]) as soon as look at it!'
This speech caused a remarkable sensation(Alice's statement created a noticeable reaction [ðɪs spiʧ kɔzd ə rɪˈmɑrkəbəl sɛnˈseɪʃən]) among the party(Within the group of individuals present [əˈməŋ ðə ˈpɑrti]). Some of the birds hurried off at once(Several birds quickly left the group immediately [səm əv ðə bərdz ˈhərid ɔf æt wəns]): one old Magpie began wrapping itself up very carefully(A magpie started to wrap something around itself with great care [wən oʊld ˈmægˌpaɪ bɪˈgæn ˈræpɪŋ ˌɪtˈsɛlf əp ˈvɛri ˈkɛrfəli]), remarking, 'I really must be getting home; the night-air doesn't suit my throat(The air at night is bad for my throat [ðə night-air ˈdəzənt sut maɪ θroʊt])!' and a Canary called out in a trembling voice(A canary spoke in a shaky voice [ənd ə kəˈnɛri kɔld aʊt ɪn ə ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ vɔɪs]) to its children, 'Come away, my dears! It's high time(It is the appropriate time [ɪts haɪ taɪm]) you were all in bed(For all of you to be sleeping [ju wər ɔl ɪn bɛd])!' On various pretexts(Using different excuses [ɔn ˈvɛriəs pretexts]) they all moved off(Everyone departed [ðeɪ ɔl muvd ɔf]), and Alice was soon left alone.
'I wish I hadn't mentioned Dinah(Expresses regret about bringing up the topic of Dinah. 'I wish' indicates a desire for a different past action. 'Hadn't mentioned' is the past perfect negative, indicating something that was not said. [aɪ wɪʃ aɪ ˈhædənt ˈmɛnʃənd ˈdaɪnə])!' she said to herself(Indicates that the character is speaking internally, not aloud. [ʃi sɛd tɪ hərˈsɛlf]) in a melancholy tone(Describes the manner in which she spoke, indicating sadness or pensiveness. 'Melancholy' means a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause. [ɪn ə ˈmɛlənˌkɑli toʊn]). 'Nobody seems to like her, down here(Indicates that no one in the current location ('down here') appears to have a favorable opinion of Dinah. [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi simz tɪ laɪk hər daʊn hir]), and I'm sure she's the best cat in the world(Expresses a strong belief that Dinah is an exceptional cat. 'I'm sure' indicates confidence in the statement. 'The best cat in the world' is a superlative phrase emphasizing Dinah's high quality. [ənd əm ʃʊr ʃiz ðə bɛst kæt ɪn ðə wərld])! Oh, my dear Dinah(An exclamation expressing affection and concern for Dinah. 'Oh' is an interjection expressing emotion. 'My dear' is a term of endearment. [oʊ maɪ dɪr ˈdaɪnə])! I wonder if I shall ever see you any more(Expresses uncertainty about the possibility of seeing Dinah again. 'I wonder' indicates a state of questioning. 'Shall' is used to express future possibility or intention. 'Any more' indicates a cessation of future sightings. [aɪ ˈwəndər ɪf aɪ ʃæl ˈɛvər si ju ˈɛni mɔr])!' And here poor Alice began to cry again(Indicates that Alice started crying again. 'Poor Alice' expresses sympathy for her. 'Began to cry' indicates the start of the act of crying. 'Again' indicates that she had cried previously. [ənd hir pur ˈælɪs bɪˈgæn tɪ kraɪ əˈgɛn]), for she felt very lonely and low-spirited(Provides the reason for Alice's crying, which is her feelings of loneliness and sadness. 'Lonely' means feeling isolated and without companionship. 'Low-spirited' means feeling dejected or sad. [fər ʃi fɛlt ˈvɛri ˈloʊnli ənd ˌloʊˈspɪrətɪd]). In a little while, however(Indicates a short passage of time, followed by a contrast. 'In a little while' means soon. 'However' introduces a contrasting element. [ɪn ə ˈlɪtəl waɪl ˌhaʊˈɛvər]), she again heard a little pattering of footsteps in the distance(Indicates that Alice heard the sound of light footsteps from afar. 'Again' indicates that she had heard footsteps previously. 'Pattering' describes the light, quick sound of footsteps. 'In the distance' indicates that the sound was coming from far away. [ʃi əˈgɛn hərd ə ˈlɪtəl pattering əv ˈfʊtˌstɛps ɪn ðə ˈdɪstəns]), and she looked up eagerly(Describes Alice's reaction to hearing the footsteps, indicating anticipation and excitement. 'Looked up' means raised her gaze. 'Eagerly' means with enthusiasm and anticipation. [ənd ʃi lʊkt əp ˈigərli]), half hoping that the Mouse had changed his mind(Indicates that Alice had a partial hope that the Mouse had reconsidered his decision. 'Half hoping' means having a moderate degree of hope. 'Changed his mind' means altered his decision or opinion. [hæf ˈhoʊpɪŋ ðət ðə maʊs hæd ʧeɪnʤd hɪz maɪnd]), and was coming back to finish his story(Indicates that Alice hoped the Mouse was returning to complete the narrative he had started. 'Was coming back' means returning. 'To finish his story' means to complete the telling of his narrative. [ənd wɑz ˈkəmɪŋ bæk tɪ ˈfɪnɪʃ hɪz ˈstɔri]).