'How do you like the Queen(An inquiry about someone's opinion or impression of the Queen [haʊ du ju laɪk ðə kwin])?' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) the Cat(referring to a specific cat, likely a character in the story [ðə kæt]) in a low voice(speaking quietly or softly [ɪn ə loʊ vɔɪs]).
'Not at all(expressing complete disagreement or dislike [nɑt æt ɔl]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]): 'she's(contraction of 'she is', referring to the Queen [ʃiz]) so extremely(indicating a high degree of something, but the speaker is interrupted [soʊ ɪkˈstrimli-])—' Just then(at that precise moment [ʤɪst ðɛn]) she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) noticed(became aware of [ˈnoʊtɪst]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) the Queen(referring to the Queen character [ðə kwin]) was close behind her(was standing very near Alice, behind her [wɑz kloʊz bɪˈhaɪnd hər]), listening(paying attention to what was being said [ˈlɪsənɪŋ]): so(therefore, as a result [soʊ]) she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) went on(continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]), '—likely to win(having a high probability of winning [-ˈlaɪkli tɪ wɪn]), that(to such an extent that [ðət]) it's(contraction of 'it is', referring to the game or situation [ɪts]) hardly worth while(not really worth the effort or time [ˈhɑrdli wərθ waɪl]) finishing(completing [ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ]) the game(the specific game being played [ðə geɪm]).'
The Queen(referring to the Queen character [ðə kwin]) smiled(expressed happiness or amusement with a smile [smaɪld]) and(connecting two actions [ənd]) passed on(moved forward or continued her journey [pæst ɔn]).
'Who ARE you talking to(A question asking who someone is speaking with, with emphasis on 'ARE' [hu ər ju ˈtɔkɪŋ tɪ])?' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) the King(referring to the King character [ðə kɪŋ]), going up(approaching someone [goʊɪŋ əp]) to Alice(indicating the person being approached is Alice [tɪ ˈælɪs]), and(connecting two actions [ənd]) looking(observing [ˈlʊkɪŋ]) at the Cat's head(specifically observing the head of the Cat [æt ðə kæts hɛd]) with great curiosity(with a strong desire to know more [wɪθ greɪt ˌkjʊriˈɑsəti]).
'It's(contraction of 'it is' [ɪts]) a friend(someone who is liked and trusted [ə frɛnd]) of mine(belonging to me [əv maɪn])—a Cheshire Cat(a specific type of cat, known for its grin [-ə ˈʧɛʃər kæt]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]): 'allow me(please permit me [əˈlaʊ mi]) to introduce(to present someone to another person [tɪ ˌɪntrəˈdus]) it(referring to the Cheshire Cat [ɪt]).'
'I don't like(expressing a dislike for something [aɪ doʊnt laɪk]) the look(the appearance [ðə lʊk]) of it(referring to something previously mentioned, likely the Cat [əv ɪt]) at all(emphasizing the dislike [æt ɔl]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) the King(referring to the King character [ðə kɪŋ]): 'however(nevertheless, despite that [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]), it(referring to the Cat [ɪt]) may(is allowed to [meɪ]) kiss(touch with the lips as a sign of affection or respect [kɪs]) my hand(the speaker's hand [maɪ hænd]) if it likes(if the Cat wants to [ɪf ɪt laɪks]).'
'I'd(contraction of 'I would', expressing a preference [aɪd]) rather not(indicating a preference not to do something [ˈrəðər nɑt]),' the Cat(referring to a specific cat, likely a character in a story [ðə kæt]) remarked.
'Don't(contraction of 'do not', used to give a negative command or instruction [doʊnt]) be impertinent(do not be rude or disrespectful [bi ˌɪmˈpərtənənt]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the King(referring to the character of the King [ðə kɪŋ]), 'and(used to connect two similar ideas or commands [ənd]) don't(contraction of 'do not', used to give a negative command or instruction [doʊnt]) look(to direct one's gaze [lʊk]) at me(towards the speaker [æt mi]) like that(in that manner; with that expression [laɪk ðət])!' He(referring to the King [hi]) got behind(moved to a position behind someone [gɑt bɪˈhaɪnd]) Alice(referring to the character of Alice [ˈælɪs]) as he spoke.
'A cat(any cat; cats in general [ə kæt]) may look(is allowed to look; has the right to look [meɪ lʊk]) at a king(towards a king; even at someone of high status [æt ə kɪŋ]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) Alice(referring to the character of Alice [ˈælɪs]). 'I've(contraction of 'I have' [aɪv]) read(past participle of 'read', meaning to have read something [rɛd]) that(referring to the saying or idea that a cat may look at a king [ðət]) in some book(in a certain book, not specified [ɪn səm bʊk]), but(used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]) I don't(contraction of 'I do not' [aɪ doʊnt]) remember(recall; bring back to mind [rɪˈmɛmbər]) where.'
'Well(used to express mild surprise, agreement, or to introduce a statement [wɛl]), it(referring to the cat [ɪt]) must(expressing necessity or obligation [məst]) be removed(taken away; gotten rid of [bi riˈmuvd]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the King(referring to the character of the King [ðə kɪŋ]) very decidedly(in a firm and resolute manner [ˈvɛri ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli]), and(used to connect two actions or statements [ənd]) he(referring to the King [hi]) called(summoned; addressed loudly [kɔld]) the Queen(referring to the character of the Queen [ðə kwin]), who(referring to the Queen [hu]) was passing(was walking by [wɑz ˈpæsɪŋ]) at the moment(at that specific time [æt ðə ˈmoʊmənt]), 'My dear(a term of endearment [maɪ dɪr])! I wish(expressing a desire [aɪ wɪʃ]) you(referring to the Queen [ju]) would have(would arrange to have [wʊd hæv]) this cat(the cat in question [ðɪs kæt]) removed!'
The Queen(referring to the character of the Queen [ðə kwin]) had(past tense of 'have', meaning possessed or experienced [hæd]) only one way(just one method or approach [ˈoʊnli wən weɪ]) of settling(of resolving; of dealing with [əv ˈsɛtəlɪŋ]) all difficulties(every problem or challenge [ɔl ˈdɪfɪˌkəltiz]), great or small(whether large or insignificant [greɪt ər smɔl]). 'Off(away; indicating removal [ɔf]) with his head(a command to decapitate someone [wɪθ hɪz hɛd])!' she(referring to the Queen [ʃi]) said(stated; spoke [sɛd]), without(not having; lacking [wɪˈθaʊt]) even(used to emphasize something unexpected or extreme [ˈivɪn]) looking round.
'I'll(contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action by the speaker [aɪl]) fetch(to go and get something or someone [fɛʧ]) the executioner(the official who carries out a sentence of execution [ðə ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənər]) myself(used to emphasize that the speaker will do it personally [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]),' (punctuation mark indicating a pause)said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [ sɛd]) the King(the male ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]) eagerly(with enthusiasm or impatience [ˈigərli]), (punctuation mark indicating a pause)and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) he(pronoun referring to the King [hi]) hurried(moved or acted with haste [ˈhərid]) off(away from a particular place [ɔf]).
Alice(a proper noun, the name of a person [ˈælɪs]) thought(past tense of 'think', to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]) she(pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]) might as well(used to suggest doing something because there is no better alternative [maɪt ɛz wɛl]) go back(return to a previous place [goʊ bæk]), (punctuation mark indicating a pause)and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) see(to observe or find out [si]) how(in what way or manner [haʊ]) the game(a form of play or sport [ðə geɪm]) was going on(progressing or happening [wɑz goʊɪŋ ɔn]), (punctuation mark indicating a pause)as(because [ɛz]) she(pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]) heard(past tense of 'hear', to perceive with the ear [hərd]) the Queen's(possessive form of 'Queen', the female ruler of a kingdom [ðə kwinz]) voice(the sound produced by a person's vocal cords [vɔɪs]) in the distance(far away [ɪn ðə ˈdɪstəns]), (punctuation mark indicating a pause)screaming(crying out loudly and sharply [ˈskrimɪŋ]) with passion(with strong emotion [wɪθ ˈpæʃən]). (punctuation mark indicating the end of the sentence)She(pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]) had already(before this time [hæd ɔˈrɛdi]) heard(past tense of 'hear', to perceive with the ear [hərd]) her(pronoun referring to the Queen [hər]) sentence(a formal declaration of punishment [ˈsɛntəns]) three(the number 3 [θri]) of(preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]) the players(people participating in a game [ðə pleɪərz]) to be executed(to be put to death as a punishment [tɪ bi ˈɛksəˌkjutɪd]) for(because of [fər]) having missed(past participle of 'miss', to fail to hit, catch, or attend [ˈhævɪŋ mɪst]) their(pronoun referring to the players [ðɛr]) turns(an opportunity to do something in sequence [tərnz]), (punctuation mark indicating a pause)and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) she(pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]) did not like(to not enjoy or approve of [dɪd nɑt laɪk]) the look of things(the way a situation appears [ðə lʊk əv θɪŋz]) at all(in any way; not at all [æt ɔl]), (punctuation mark indicating a pause)as(because [ɛz]) the game(a form of play or sport [ðə geɪm]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) in such confusion(in a state of disorder [ɪn səʧ kənfˈjuʒən]) that(conjunction introducing a result clause [ðət]) she(pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]) never(at no time [ˈnɛvər]) knew(past tense of 'know', to be aware of [nu]) whether(expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]) it(pronoun referring to the turn [ɪt]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) her(pronoun referring to Alice [hər]) turn(an opportunity to do something in sequence [tərn]) or not(used to indicate an alternative [ər nɑt]). (punctuation mark indicating the end of the sentence)So(therefore [soʊ]) she(pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]) went(past tense of 'go', to move or travel [wɛnt]) in search of(looking for [ɪn sərʧ əv]) her(pronoun referring to Alice [hər]) hedgehog(a small, spiny mammal [ˈhɛˌʤhɑg]).
The hedgehog(A small, spiny mammal [ðə ˈhɛˌʤhɑg]) was engaged in(was involved in; was participating in [wɑz ɪnˈgeɪʤd ɪn]) a fight(a physical conflict or struggle [ə faɪt]) with another hedgehog(with a second hedgehog [wɪθ əˈnəðər ˈhɛˌʤhɑg]), which seemed to Alice(which appeared to Alice; from Alice's perspective [wɪʧ simd tɪ ˈælɪs]) an excellent opportunity(a very good chance or occasion [ən ˈɛksələnt ˌɑpərˈtunəti]) for croqueting(to hit a ball through a wicket in the game of croquet [fər croqueting]) one of them(one of the hedgehogs [wən əv ðɛm]) with the other(using the other hedgehog as a mallet or ball [wɪθ ðə ˈəðər]): the only difficulty(the single problem or obstacle [ðə ˈoʊnli ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti]) was, that(was that; the problem was [wɑz ðət]) her flamingo(her pet flamingo, used as a mallet in croquet [hər fləˈmɪŋgoʊ]) was gone across(had moved to [wɑz gɔn əˈkrɔs]) to the other side of the garden(to the opposite side of the garden [tɪ ðə ˈəðər saɪd əv ðə ˈgɑrdən]), where Alice could see it(a location where Alice could observe the flamingo [wɛr ˈælɪs kʊd si ɪt]) trying in a helpless sort of way(attempting in a weak and ineffective manner [traɪɪŋ ɪn ə ˈhɛlpləs sɔrt əv weɪ]) to fly up into a tree(to ascend into a tree by flying [tɪ flaɪ əp ˈɪntu ə tri]).
By the time(At the point when; when [baɪ ðə taɪm]) she had caught(she had captured or retrieved [ʃi hæd kɔt]) the flamingo(the pink bird, used as a croquet mallet [ðə fləˈmɪŋgoʊ]) and brought it back(and returned it to her original location [ənd brɔt ɪt bæk]), the fight was over(the physical conflict had ended [ðə faɪt wɑz ˈoʊvər]), and both the hedgehogs(and both of the spiny mammals [ənd boʊθ ðə ˈhɛˌʤhɑgz]) were out of sight(could no longer be seen [wər aʊt əv saɪt]): 'but it doesn't matter much(but it is not very important [bət ɪt ˈdəzənt ˈmætər məʧ]),' thought Alice(Alice considered [θɔt ˈælɪs]), 'as all the arches(because all the hoops or wickets [ɛz ɔl ðə ˈɑrʧɪz]) are gone from this side of the ground(have been removed from this area [ər gɔn frəm ðɪs saɪd əv ðə graʊnd]).' So she tucked it away(Therefore, she secured it [soʊ ʃi təkt ɪt əˈweɪ]) under her arm(held it closely beneath her arm [ˈəndər hər ɑrm]), that it might not escape again(so that the flamingo would not run away again [ðət ɪt maɪt nɑt ɪˈskeɪp əˈgɛn]), and went back(and returned [ənd wɛnt bæk]) for a little more conversation(to talk a bit more [fər ə ˈlɪtəl mɔr ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən]) with her friend(with the person she was talking to [wɪθ hər frɛnd]).