Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 28

'I shall sit here,' the Footman remarked, 'till tomorrow—'

• I shall sit here: Indicates the beginning of a direct quote. 'I shall sit here' expresses the Footman's intention to remain in place. 'Shall' is a formal way of expressing future intention, especially in first person. [aɪ ʃæl sɪt hir]
• the Footman remarked: Identifies who is speaking. 'Remarked' means to say something as a comment. [ðə ˈfʊtmən rɪˈmɑrkt]
• till tomorrow: Indicates the end of the Footman's direct quote. 'Till' is a shortened form of 'until', indicating a time up to a specific point. 'Tomorrow' refers to the day after the current day. The dash indicates an unfinished thought or continuation. [tɪl təˈmɑˌroʊ-]

At this moment the door of the house opened, and a large plate came skimming out, straight at the Footman's head: it just grazed his nose, and broke to pieces against one of the trees behind him.

• At this moment: Indicates a specific point in time, happening immediately. [æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• the door of the house opened: Describes the action of the door opening. 'Of the house' specifies which door. [ðə dɔr əv ðə haʊs ˈoʊpənd]
• and a large plate came skimming out: Describes the movement of a plate coming out quickly and lightly. 'Skimming' suggests a fast, gliding motion. [ənd ə lɑrʤ pleɪt keɪm ˈskɪmɪŋ aʊt]
• straight at the Footman's head: Indicates the direction of the plate's movement. 'Straight at' means directly towards. [streɪt æt ðə footmans hɛd]
• it just grazed his nose: Describes the plate lightly touching the Footman's nose. 'Grazed' means to touch lightly in passing. [ɪt ʤɪst greɪzd hɪz noʊz]
• and broke to pieces: Describes the plate shattering into many fragments. [ənd broʊk tɪ ˈpisɪz]
• against one of the trees behind him: Indicates where the plate broke. 'Behind him' specifies the location relative to the Footman. [əˈgɛnst wən əv ðə triz bɪˈhaɪnd ɪm]

'—or next day, maybe,' the Footman continued in the same tone, exactly as if nothing had happened.

• or next day, maybe: Indicates a continuation of a previous statement. 'Next day' refers to the day after tomorrow. 'Maybe' expresses uncertainty. [-ər nɛkst deɪ ˈmeɪbi]
• the Footman continued: Indicates that the Footman is still speaking. 'Continued' means to keep talking. [ðə ˈfʊtmən kənˈtɪnjud]
• in the same tone: Describes the Footman's manner of speaking. 'Same tone' means the voice and attitude remained unchanged. [ɪn ðə seɪm toʊn]
• exactly as if nothing had happened: Emphasizes the Footman's lack of reaction to the preceding event. 'As if' means in a way that suggests. [ɪgˈzæktli ɛz ɪf ˈnəθɪŋ hæd ˈhæpənd]

'How am I to get in?' asked Alice again, in a louder tone.

• How am I to get in: Alice is asking a question about entering a place. 'How am I to get in?' expresses her desire to know the method or way to enter. [haʊ æm aɪ tɪ gɪt ɪn]
• asked Alice again: Identifies who is speaking and that this is not the first time she has asked. [æst ˈælɪs əˈgɛn]
• in a louder tone: Describes the manner in which Alice is speaking. 'Louder tone' means she is speaking more loudly than before. [ɪn ə ˈlaʊdər toʊn]

'ARE you to get in at all?' said the Footman. 'That's the first question, you know.'

• ARE you to get in at all: The Footman is questioning whether Alice is even supposed to enter. 'At all' emphasizes the doubt. [ər ju tɪ gɪt ɪn æt ɔl]
• said the Footman: Identifies who is speaking. [sɛd ðə ˈfʊtmən]
• That's the first question, you know: The Footman states that the primary consideration is whether Alice should enter at all. 'You know' is used as a conversational filler, seeking agreement or understanding. [ðæts ðə fərst kˈwɛʃən ju noʊ]

It was, no doubt: only Alice did not like to be told so. 'It's really dreadful,' she muttered to herself, 'the way all the creatures argue.

• It was, no doubt: Acknowledges that what was said is true or valid. 'No doubt' means certainly or without question. [ɪt wɑz noʊ daʊt]
• only Alice did not like to be told so: Indicates Alice's displeasure at being told something obvious or unwelcome. [ˈoʊnli ˈælɪs dɪd nɑt laɪk tɪ bi toʊld soʊ]
• It's really dreadful: Expresses Alice's strong negative opinion. 'Dreadful' means extremely bad or unpleasant. [ɪts ˈrɪli ˈdrɛdfəl]
• she muttered to herself: Describes how Alice is speaking - quietly and to herself. 'Muttered' means to speak in a low, unclear voice. [ʃi ˈmətərd tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• the way all the creatures argue: Alice is commenting on the argumentative nature of the creatures she has encountered. [ðə weɪ ɔl ðə ˈkriʧərz ˈɑrgju]

The Footman seemed to think this a good opportunity for repeating his remark, with variations. 'I shall sit here,' he said, 'on and off, for days and days.'

• The Footman: A character in the story, a servant [ðə ˈfʊtmən]
• seemed to: appeared to [simd tɪ]
• think: believe or consider [θɪŋk]
• this: referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðɪs]
• a good opportunity: a favorable or suitable time [ə gʊd ˌɑpərˈtunəti]
• for repeating: to say again [fər rɪˈpitɪŋ]
• his remark: something he had said previously [hɪz rɪˈmɑrk]
• with variations: with slight changes or modifications [wɪθ ˌvɛriˈeɪʃənz]
• I shall sit here: I will sit here; a statement of intention [aɪ ʃæl sɪt hir]
• he said: attribution of the statement [hi sɛd]
• on and off: intermittently; not continuously [ɔn ənd ɔf]
• for days and days: for a long period of time [fər deɪz ənd deɪz]

'But what am I to do?' said Alice.

• But what am I to do: Expressing a question about what action should be taken [bət wət æm aɪ tɪ du]
• said Alice: Attribution of the statement to Alice [sɛd ˈælɪs]

'Anything you like,' said the Footman, and began whistling.

• Anything you like: You can do whatever you want [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ju laɪk]
• said the Footman: Attribution of the statement to the Footman [sɛd ðə ˈfʊtmən]
• and began whistling: and started to whistle [ənd bɪˈgæn ˈwɪslɪŋ]

'Oh, there's no use in talking to him,' said Alice desperately: 'he's perfectly idiotic!' And she opened the door and went in.

• Oh: An exclamation of surprise or frustration [oʊ]
• there's no use: it is pointless [ðɛrz noʊ juz]
• in talking to him: to speak to him [ɪn ˈtɔkɪŋ tɪ ɪm]
• said Alice desperately: Attribution of the statement to Alice, indicating a feeling of hopelessness [sɛd ˈælɪs ˈdɛspərətli]
• he's perfectly idiotic: he is completely foolish or senseless [hiz ˈpərfəktli ˌɪdiˈɑtɪk]
• And she opened the door: She performed the action of opening the door [ənd ʃi ˈoʊpənd ðə dɔr]
• and went in: and entered [ənd wɛnt ɪn]

The door led right into a large kitchen, which was full of smoke from one end to the other: the Duchess was sitting on a three-legged stool in the middle, nursing a baby; the cook was leaning over the fire, stirring a large cauldron which seemed to be full of soup.

• The door: The entrance to a room or building [ðə dɔr]
• led right into: opened directly into [lɛd raɪt ˈɪntu]
• a large kitchen: a big room used for cooking [ə lɑrʤ ˈkɪʧən]
• which was full of smoke: that had a lot of smoke in it [wɪʧ wɑz fʊl əv smoʊk]
• from one end to the other: covering the entire space [frəm wən ɛnd tɪ ðə ˈəðər]
• the Duchess: A noblewoman, a character in the story [ðə ˈdəʧəs]
• was sitting: was in a seated position [wɑz ˈsɪtɪŋ]
• on a three-legged stool: on a seat with three legs [ɔn ə three-legged stul]
• in the middle: at the center of the room [ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl]
• nursing a baby: caring for a baby, possibly breastfeeding or holding it [ˈnərsɪŋ ə ˈbeɪbi]
• the cook: the person who prepares food [ðə kʊk]
• was leaning over: was bending forward over [wɑz ˈlinɪŋ ˈoʊvər]
• the fire: the source of heat for cooking [ðə faɪər]
• stirring: mixing with a circular motion [stərɪŋ]
• a large cauldron: a big pot [ə lɑrʤ ˈkɔldrən]
• which seemed to be full of soup: that appeared to be filled with soup [wɪʧ simd tɪ bi fʊl əv sup]

'There's certainly too much pepper in that soup!' Alice said to herself, as well as she could for sneezing.

• There's: contraction of 'there is', indicating existence or presence [ðɛrz]
• certainly: without doubt; definitely [ˈsərtənli]
• too much: more than enough; an excessive amount [tu məʧ]
• pepper: a pungent spice used to flavor food [ˈpɛpər]
• in that soup: contained within the specified soup [ɪn ðət sup]
• Alice said: Alice, the speaker, expressed [ˈælɪs sɛd]
• to herself: speaking quietly so only she could hear [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• as well as: to the best of her ability [ɛz wɛl ɛz]
• she could: she was able to [ʃi kʊd]
• for sneezing: because she was sneezing; the reason for her limited ability to speak clearly [fər sˈnizɪŋ]

There was certainly too much of it in the air.

• There was: indicates existence or presence in the past [ðɛr wɑz]
• certainly: without doubt; definitely [ˈsərtənli]
• too much: more than enough; an excessive amount [tu məʧ]
• of it: referring to the pepper mentioned earlier [əv ɪt]
• in the air: present and dispersed throughout the atmosphere [ɪn ðə ɛr]

Even the Duchess sneezed occasionally; and as for the baby, it was sneezing and howling alternately without a moment's pause.

• Even the Duchess: indicates that even someone of high status was affected [ˈivɪn ðə ˈdəʧəs]
• sneezed: expelled air involuntarily from the nose and mouth [snizd]
• occasionally: happening from time to time; not frequently [ɔˈkeɪʒənəˌli]
• and as for: regarding; concerning [ənd ɛz fər]
• the baby: a very young child [ðə ˈbeɪbi]
• it was: referring to the baby [ɪt wɑz]
• sneezing: expelling air involuntarily from the nose and mouth [sˈnizɪŋ]
• and howling: crying loudly and mournfully [ənd ˈhaʊlɪŋ]
• alternately: one after the other in a repeated sequence [ˈɔltərnətli]
• without a moment's pause: continuously; without any interruption [wɪˈθaʊt ə ˈmoʊmənts pɔz]

The only things in the kitchen that did not sneeze, were the cook, and a large cat which was sitting on the hearth and grinning from ear to ear.

• The only things: the sole items or beings [ðə ˈoʊnli θɪŋz]
• in the kitchen: located within the kitchen area [ɪn ðə ˈkɪʧən]
• that did not sneeze: which did not expel air involuntarily from the nose and mouth [ðət dɪd nɑt sniz]
• were the cook: the person who prepares food [wər ðə kʊk]
• and a large cat: a feline of considerable size [ənd ə lɑrʤ kæt]
• which was sitting: in a seated position [wɪʧ wɑz ˈsɪtɪŋ]
• on the hearth: the area in front of a fireplace [ɔn ðə hɑrθ]
• and grinning: smiling broadly, showing teeth [ənd ˈgrɪnɪŋ]
• from ear to ear: a very wide smile [frəm ɪr tɪ ɪr]

'Please would you tell me,' said Alice, a little timidly, for she was not quite sure whether it was good manners for her to speak first, 'why your cat grins like that?'

• Please: a polite request [pliz]
• would you tell me: a polite way of asking for information [wʊd ju tɛl mi]
• said Alice: Alice, the speaker, expressed [sɛd ˈælɪs]
• a little timidly: in a slightly shy or hesitant manner [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈtɪmədli]
• for she was: because she was [fər ʃi wɑz]
• not quite sure: not completely certain [nɑt kwaɪt ʃʊr]
• whether it was: if it was [ˈwɛðər ɪt wɑz]
• good manners: polite and respectful behavior [gʊd ˈmænərz]
• for her: for Alice [fər hər]
• to speak first: to initiate the conversation [tɪ spik fərst]
• why your cat: the reason for the cat belonging to the person being addressed [waɪ jʊr kæt]
• grins: smiles broadly, showing teeth [grɪnz]
• like that: in that particular manner [laɪk ðət]

'It's a Cheshire cat,' said the Duchess, 'and that's why.

• It's: contraction of 'it is' [ɪts]
• a Cheshire cat: a cat with a broad, fixed grin; a fictional cat popularized by Lewis Carroll in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' [ə ˈʧɛʃər kæt]
• said: past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]
• the Duchess: a noblewoman holding the rank of a duchess [ðə ˈdəʧəs]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• that's: contraction of 'that is' [ðæts]
• why: the reason for something [waɪ]

She said the last word with such sudden violence that Alice quite jumped; but she saw in another moment that it was addressed to the baby, and not to her, so she took courage, and went on again:—

• She: referring to the Duchess [ʃi]
• said: past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]
• the last word: the final word spoken [ðə læst wərd]
• with such sudden violence: with a sudden and forceful expression [wɪθ səʧ ˈsədən ˈvaɪələns]
• that: used to introduce a result clause [ðət]
• Alice: the main character in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' [ˈælɪs]
• quite jumped: was startled and jumped slightly [kwaɪt ʤəmpt]
• but: used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• saw: past tense of 'see', to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]
• in another moment: very soon; shortly after [ɪn əˈnəðər ˈmoʊmənt]
• that: used to introduce a clause [ðət]
• it: referring to the word 'Pig' [ɪt]
• was addressed: was directed to [wɑz əˈdrɛst]
• to the baby: to the infant [tɪ ðə ˈbeɪbi]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• not to her: not directed at Alice [nɑt tɪ hər]
• so: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• took courage: gained confidence [tʊk kərɪʤ]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• went on again: continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn əˈgɛn]