Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 27

CHAPTER VI.

• CHAPTER: a main division of a book [ˈʧæptər]
• VI: Roman numeral for six [vi]

For a minute or two she stood looking at the house, and wondering what to do next, when suddenly a footman in livery came running out of the wood—(she considered him to be a footman because he was in livery: otherwise, judging by his face only, she would have called him a fish)—and rapped loudly at the door with his knuckles.

• For: used to indicate the purpose of an object or action [fər]
• a minute or two: a short period of time, approximately one to two minutes [ə ˈmɪnət ər tu]
• she: third person singular pronoun, referring to a female [ʃi]
• stood: past tense of 'stand', meaning to be in an upright position [stʊd]
• looking: present participle of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [ˈlʊkɪŋ]
• at: expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position [æt]
• the house: a building for human habitation [ðə haʊs]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• wondering: present participle of 'wonder', meaning to feel curiosity or doubt about something [ˈwəndərɪŋ]
• what: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• to do: to perform an action [tɪ du]
• next: immediately following in time or order [nɛkst]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• a footman: a liveried servant who attends a carriage or delivers messages [ə ˈfʊtmən]
• in livery: wearing a special uniform [ɪn ˈlɪvəri]
• came: past tense of 'come', meaning to move toward someone or something [keɪm]
• running: present participle of 'run', meaning to move at a speed faster than a walk [ˈrənɪŋ]
• out of: moving from the inside to the outside of something [aʊt əv]
• the wood: an area of land covered with trees; a forest [ðə wʊd]
• she considered: she thought about [ʃi kənˈsɪdərd]
• him: objective case of 'he', referring to a male [ɪm]
• to be: linking verb, expressing existence or a state of being [tɪ bi]
• a footman: a liveried servant who attends a carriage or delivers messages [ə ˈfʊtmən]
• because: for the reason that [bɪˈkəz]
• he: third person singular pronoun, referring to a male [hi]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• in livery: wearing a special uniform [ɪn ˈlɪvəri]
• otherwise: in a different way or in all ways except the one mentioned [ˈəðərˌwaɪz]
• judging: present participle of 'judge', meaning to form an opinion or conclusion about [ˈʤəʤɪŋ]
• by: expressing the means of achieving something [baɪ]
• his face: the front part of the head [hɪz feɪs]
• only: solely; merely [ˈoʊnli]
• she: third person singular pronoun, referring to a female [ʃi]
• would have called: conditional perfect tense of 'call', meaning to give someone or something a name [wʊd hæv kɔld]
• him: objective case of 'he', referring to a male [ɪm]
• a fish: a limbless cold-blooded vertebrate animal with gills and fins and living wholly in water [ə fɪʃ]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• rapped: past tense of 'rap', meaning to strike a surface quickly and repeatedly [ræpt]
• loudly: in a way that produces much noise [ˈlaʊdli]
• at: expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position [æt]
• the door: a hinged barrier used to close off an entrance [ðə dɔr]
• with: expressing accompaniment or possession [wɪθ]
• his knuckles: the joints of the fingers [hɪz ˈnəkəlz]

It was opened by another footman in livery, with a round face, and large eyes like a frog; and both footmen, Alice noticed, had powdered hair that curled all over their heads.

• It: pronoun used to refer to something previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪt]
• was opened: past passive of 'open', meaning to allow access [wɑz ˈoʊpənd]
• by: expressing agency or means [baɪ]
• another: one more; an additional [əˈnəðər]
• footman: a liveried servant who attends a carriage or delivers messages [ˈfʊtmən]
• in livery: wearing a special uniform [ɪn ˈlɪvəri]
• with: expressing accompaniment or possession [wɪθ]
• a round face: a face that is circular in shape [ə raʊnd feɪs]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• large eyes: eyes that are big in size [lɑrʤ aɪz]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• a frog: a tailless amphibian with a short body, long hind legs, and a smooth skin [ə frɑg]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• both: referring to two things or people together [boʊθ]
• footmen: plural of 'footman', meaning liveried servants who attend a carriage or delivers messages [footmen]
• Alice: a proper noun, a name [ˈælɪs]
• noticed: past tense of 'notice', meaning to become aware of something [ˈnoʊtɪst]
• had powdered hair: hair covered with powder [hæd ˈpaʊdərd hɛr]
• that: introducing a relative clause [ðət]
• curled: past tense of 'curl', meaning to form into a curved or spiral shape [kərld]
• all over: covering the entire surface of something [ɔl ˈoʊvər]
• their heads: the upper part of the body [ðɛr hɛdz]

She felt very curious to know what it was all about, and crept a little way out of the wood to listen.

• She: third person singular pronoun, referring to a female [ʃi]
• felt: past tense of 'feel', meaning to experience an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]
• very curious: eager to know or learn something [ˈvɛri ˈkjʊriəs]
• to know: to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information [tɪ noʊ]
• what: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• it: pronoun used to refer to something previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• all about: concerning; regarding [ɔl əˈbaʊt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• crept: past tense of 'creep', meaning to move slowly and carefully [krɛpt]
• a little way: a short distance [ə ˈlɪtəl weɪ]
• out of: moving from the inside to the outside of something [aʊt əv]
• the wood: an area of land covered with trees; a forest [ðə wʊd]
• to listen: to pay attention to sound [tɪ ˈlɪsən]

The Fish-Footman began by producing from under his arm a great letter, nearly as large as himself, and this he handed over to the other, saying, in a solemn tone, 'For the Duchess.

• The Fish-Footman: A character in the story, a footman with fish-like features [ðə fish-footman]
• began: started; commenced [bɪˈgæn]
• by producing: by taking out or creating something [baɪ prəˈdusɪŋ]
• from under his arm: from the space between his arm and his body [frəm ˈəndər hɪz ɑrm]
• a great letter: a large letter; important message [ə greɪt ˈlɛtər]
• nearly as large as himself: almost the same size as the Fish-Footman [ˈnɪrli ɛz lɑrʤ ɛz hɪmˈsɛlf]
• and this he handed over to the other: he gave the letter to the other footman [ənd ðɪs hi ˈhændɪd ˈoʊvər tɪ ðə ˈəðər]
• saying: uttering words [seɪɪŋ]
• in a solemn tone: in a serious and formal manner [ɪn ə ˈsɑləm toʊn]
• For the Duchess: This letter is intended for the Duchess [fər ðə ˈdəʧəs]

An invitation from the Queen to play croquet.' The Frog-Footman repeated, in the same solemn tone, only changing the order of the words a little, 'From the Queen.

• An invitation: A request to attend or participate in something [ən ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən]
• from the Queen: sent by the Queen [frəm ðə kwin]
• to play croquet: to participate in a game of croquet [tɪ pleɪ kroʊˈkeɪ]
• The Frog-Footman: A character in the story, a footman with frog-like features [ðə frog-footman]
• repeated: said again [rɪˈpitɪd]
• in the same solemn tone: in the same serious and formal manner as before [ɪn ðə seɪm ˈsɑləm toʊn]
• only changing the order of the words a little: making slight alterations to the sequence of words [ˈoʊnli ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ ðə ˈɔrdər əv ðə wərdz ə ˈlɪtəl]
• From the Queen: Sent by the Queen [frəm ðə kwin]

Then they both bowed low, and their curls got entangled together.

• Then: Following that; after that [ðɛn]
• they both: the two of them [ðeɪ boʊθ]
• bowed low: bent their bodies forward as a sign of respect [boʊd loʊ]
• and their curls: the coiled or spiraled strands of their hair [ənd ðɛr kərlz]
• got entangled together: became twisted and caught up with each other [gɑt ɛnˈtæŋgəld təˈgɛðər]

Alice laughed so much at this, that she had to run back into the wood for fear of their hearing her; and when she next peeped out the Fish-Footman was gone, and the other was sitting on the ground near the door, staring stupidly up into the sky.

• Alice: The main character of the story [ˈælɪs]
• laughed so much at this: found this situation very funny [læft soʊ məʧ æt ðɪs]
• that she had to run back into the wood: she needed to retreat into the forest [ðət ʃi hæd tɪ rən bæk ˈɪntu ðə wʊd]
• for fear of their hearing her: because she didn't want them to hear her laughter [fər fɪr əv ðɛr ˈhirɪŋ hər]
• and when she next peeped out: and the next time she looked secretly [ənd wɪn ʃi nɛkst pipt aʊt]
• the Fish-Footman was gone: the Fish-Footman had disappeared [ðə fish-footman wɑz gɔn]
• and the other: the other footman, the Frog-Footman [ənd ðə ˈəðər]
• was sitting on the ground: was seated on the earth [wɑz ˈsɪtɪŋ ɔn ðə graʊnd]
• near the door: close to the entrance [nɪr ðə dɔr]
• staring stupidly: looking blankly or foolishly [ˈstɛrɪŋ ˈstupəˌdli]
• up into the sky: towards the heavens [əp ˈɪntu ðə skaɪ]

Alice went timidly up to the door, and knocked.

• Alice: a proper noun, likely the name of the person in the story [ˈælɪs]
• went: past tense of 'go', indicating movement [wɛnt]
• timidly: in a shy or hesitant manner [ˈtɪmədli]
• up to: towards [əp tɪ]
• the door: a barrier that opens and closes to allow entry or exit [ðə dɔr]
• and: a conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• knocked: struck a surface, typically a door, to attract attention [nɑkt]

'There's no sort of use in knocking,' said the Footman, 'and that for two reasons.

• There's: contraction of 'there is', indicating existence [ðɛrz]
• no sort of: no kind of; not any type of [noʊ sɔrt əv]
• use: purpose or benefit [juz]
• in knocking: the act of striking a surface, typically a door, to attract attention [ɪn ˈnɑkɪŋ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• the Footman: a servant who attends to guests or runs errands [ðə ˈfʊtmən]
• and: a conjunction introducing an additional reason [ənd]
• that: referring to the situation or statement [ðət]
• for: because of [fər]
• two reasons: two explanations or justifications [tu ˈrizənz]

First, because I'm on the same side of the door as you are; secondly, because they're making such a noise inside, no one could possibly hear you.' And certainly there was a most extraordinary noise going on within—a constant howling and sneezing, and every now and then a great crash, as if a dish or kettle had been broken to pieces.

• First: introducing the first reason [fərst]
• because: for the reason that [bɪˈkəz]
• I'm: contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• on: located or situated on [ɔn]
• the same side: the identical side [ðə seɪm saɪd]
• of the door: referring to the barrier that opens and closes [əv ðə dɔr]
• as: in the same manner or way that [ɛz]
• you are: referring to Alice [ju ər]
• secondly: introducing the second reason [ˈsɛkəndli]
• because: for the reason that [bɪˈkəz]
• they're: contraction of 'they are' [ðɛr]
• making: creating or producing [ˈmeɪkɪŋ]
• such a noise: a loud or disruptive sound [səʧ ə nɔɪz]
• inside: within the interior [ˌɪnˈsaɪd]
• no one: not a single person [noʊ wən]
• could: past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility [kʊd]
• possibly: in any way; conceivably [ˈpɑsəbli]
• hear: perceive with the ear [hir]
• you: referring to Alice [ju]
• And: a conjunction introducing an additional statement [ənd]
• certainly: definitely; without a doubt [ˈsərtənli]
• there was: indicating existence [ðɛr wɑz]
• a most extraordinary noise: a very unusual and remarkable sound [ə moʊst ˌɛkstrəˈɔrdəˌnɛri nɔɪz]
• going on: happening; taking place [goʊɪŋ ɔn]
• within: inside [wɪˈθɪn]
• a constant: continuous; without stopping [ə ˈkɑnstənt]
• howling: a loud, wailing cry [ˈhaʊlɪŋ]
• and: a conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• sneezing: expelling air forcefully through the nose and mouth [sˈnizɪŋ]
• and: a conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• every now and then: occasionally; from time to time [ˈɛvəri naʊ ənd ðɛn]
• a great crash: a loud, sudden noise of something breaking or colliding [ə greɪt kræʃ]
• as if: suggesting a comparison [ɛz ɪf]
• a dish or kettle: common household items [ə dɪʃ ər ˈkɛtəl]
• had been broken: past perfect passive of 'break', indicating something was shattered [hæd bɪn ˈbroʊkən]
• to pieces: into small fragments [tɪ ˈpisɪz]

'Please, then,' said Alice, 'how am I to get in?'

• Please: a polite request [pliz]
• then: therefore; as a result [ðɛn]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• Alice: a proper noun, likely the name of the person in the story [ˈælɪs]
• how: in what way or manner [haʊ]
• am I: first-person singular present tense of 'be' [æm aɪ]
• to get in: to enter [tɪ gɪt ɪn]

'There might be some sense in your knocking,' the Footman went on without attending to her, 'if we had the door between us. For instance, if you were INSIDE, you might knock, and I could let you out, you know.' He was looking up into the sky all the time he was speaking, and this Alice thought decidedly uncivil. 'But perhaps he can't help it,' she said to herself; 'his eyes are so VERY nearly at the top of his head. But at any rate he might answer questions.—How am I to get in?' she repeated, aloud.

• There: Indicates the beginning of a quote or dialogue. 'There' introduces a statement or possibility. [ðɛr]
• might: Indicates a possibility or a chance of something happening. [maɪt]
• be: A verb indicating existence or a state of being. [bi]
• some: Indicates an unspecified amount or quantity. [səm]
• sense: Meaning or reason; a valid or intelligent purpose. [sɛns]
• in: Expresses location or position within something. [ɪn]
• your: Possessive pronoun referring to the person being addressed. [jʊr]
• knocking: The act of hitting a surface repeatedly, usually to gain attention. [ˈnɑkɪŋ]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific Footman. [ðə]
• Footman: A servant in livery, typically attending a carriage or door. [ˈfʊtmən]
• went: Past tense of 'go', indicating movement or continuation. [wɛnt]
• on: Continuing an action or speech. [ɔn]
• without: Not having or doing something. [wɪˈθaʊt]
• attending: Paying attention to or considering. [əˈtɛndɪŋ]
• to: Preposition indicating direction or focus. [tɪ]
• her: Pronoun referring to Alice. [hər]
• if: Conditional conjunction, introducing a hypothetical situation. [ɪf]
• we: Pronoun referring to the Footman and possibly others. [wi]
• had: Past tense of 'have', indicating possession or existence. [hæd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific door. [ðə]
• door: A hinged barrier used to close off an entrance. [dɔr]
• between: In the space separating two things or people. [bɪtˈwin]
• us: Pronoun referring to the Footman and Alice. [ˈjuˈɛs]
• instance: As an example. [ˈɪnstəns]
• if: Conditional conjunction, introducing a hypothetical situation. [ɪf]
• you: Pronoun referring to Alice. [ju]
• were: Past tense of 'be', used in a hypothetical context. [wər]
• INSIDE: Located within a building or enclosed space. [ˌɪnˈsaɪd]
• you: Pronoun referring to Alice. [ju]
• might: Indicates a possibility or a chance of something happening. [maɪt]
• knock: To strike a surface repeatedly, usually to gain attention. [nɑk]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related statements. [ənd]
• I: Pronoun referring to the Footman. [aɪ]
• could: Indicates ability or possibility. [kʊd]
• let: To allow someone to go or come. [lɛt]
• you: Pronoun referring to Alice. [ju]
• out: To exit or leave a place. [aʊt]
• you: Pronoun referring to Alice. [ju]
• know: Used to indicate that the listener understands or should understand something. [noʊ]
• He: Pronoun referring to the Footman. [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'be', indicating a state of being. [wɑz]
• looking: Directing one's gaze in a specific direction. [ˈlʊkɪŋ]
• up: Toward a higher position or level. [əp]
• into: Expressing movement or direction toward the inside of something. [ˈɪntu]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific sky. [ðə]
• sky: The atmosphere above the earth. [skaɪ]
• all: The whole of something. [ɔl]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific time. [ðə]
• time: A period during which something happens. [taɪm]
• he: Pronoun referring to the Footman. [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'be', indicating a state of being. [wɑz]
• speaking: The act of talking. [ˈspikɪŋ]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related statements. [ənd]
• this: Pronoun referring to the Footman's behavior. [ðɪs]
• Alice: Name of the character. [ˈælɪs]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', indicating an opinion or belief. [θɔt]
• decidedly: Without hesitation; definitely. [ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli]
• uncivil: Rude or impolite. [ənˈsɪvəl]
• perhaps: Possibly; maybe. [pərˈhæps]
• he: Pronoun referring to the Footman. [hi]
• can't: Contraction of 'cannot', indicating inability. [kænt]
• help: To assist or aid someone. [hɛlp]
• it: Pronoun referring to the Footman's behavior. [ɪt]
• she: Pronoun referring to Alice. [ʃi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating speech. [sɛd]
• to: Preposition indicating direction or recipient. [tɪ]
• herself: Reflexive pronoun referring to Alice. [hərˈsɛlf]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to the Footman. [hɪz]
• eyes: Organs of sight. [aɪz]
• are: Present tense of 'be', indicating a state of being. [ər]
• so: To such a great extent. [soʊ]
• VERY: Extremely; to a high degree. [ˈvɛri]
• nearly: Almost; close to. [ˈnɪrli]
• at: Expressing location or position. [æt]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific top. [ðə]
• top: The highest point or part of something. [tɔp]
• of: Expressing the relationship between parts of a whole. [əv]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to the Footman. [hɪz]
• head: The part of the body above the neck. [hɛd]
• at: Expressing location or position. [æt]
• any: One or some of something. [ˈɛni]
• rate: A measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against some other quantity or measure. [reɪt]
• he: Pronoun referring to the Footman. [hi]
• might: Indicates a possibility or a chance of something happening. [maɪt]
• answer: To respond to a question or request. [ˈænsər]
• questions: Inquiries that require a response. [kˈwɛsʧənz]
• How: In what way or manner. [haʊ]
• am: Present tense of 'be', used with 'I'. [æm]
• I: Pronoun referring to Alice. [aɪ]
• to: Expressing direction or purpose. [tɪ]
• get: To obtain or acquire something. [gɪt]
• in: To enter a place. [ɪn]
• she: Pronoun referring to Alice. [ʃi]
• repeated: Said again. [rɪˈpitɪd]
• aloud: In a voice loud enough to be heard. [əˈlaʊd]