So(Therefore; as a result [soʊ]) she(referring to a female person previously mentioned [ʃi]) set to work(began to do something, typically with energy and purpose [sɛt tɪ wərk]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) very soon(in a short time; quickly [ˈvɛri sun]) finished off(completed; brought to an end [ˈfɪnɪʃt ɔf]) the cake(a sweet baked food made from flour, sugar, and other ingredients [ðə keɪk]).
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CHAPTER II(Indicates the second chapter of the book [ˈʧæptər ii]). The Pool of Tears(The title of the chapter, suggesting a place filled with sadness or crying [ðə pul əv tɪrz])
'Curiouser and curiouser(An exclamation expressing increasing levels of curiosity or strangeness. The use of 'curiouser' instead of 'more curious' adds to the whimsical tone. [ˈkjʊriəsər ənd ˈkjʊriəsər])!' cried(exclaimed; shouted [kraɪd]) Alice(the name of the main character [ˈælɪs]) (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English(Explanation of why Alice used 'curiouser' instead of 'more curious'. She was so surprised that she forgot proper grammar. [(ʃi wɑz soʊ məʧ səˈpraɪzd ðət fər ðə ˈmoʊmənt ʃi kwaɪt fərˈgɑt haʊ tɪ spik gʊd ˈɪŋlɪʃ)])); 'now(at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]) I'm opening out(I am expanding or unfolding [əm ˈoʊpənɪŋ aʊt]) like(similar to [laɪk]) the largest telescope(the biggest optical instrument used to view distant objects [ðə ˈlɑrʤəst ˈtɛləˌskoʊp]) that ever was(that has ever existed [ðət ˈɛvər wɑz])! Good-bye(a farewell expression [ˈgʊdˌbaɪ]), feet(plural of foot, the body parts at the end of the legs [fit])!' (for(because [(fər]) when she looked down(when she directed her gaze downwards [wɪn ʃi lʊkt daʊn]) at her feet(towards her feet [æt hər fit]), they seemed(they appeared [ðeɪ simd]) to be almost out of sight(to be nearly invisible [tɪ bi ˈɔlˌmoʊst aʊt əv saɪt]), they were getting(they were becoming [ðeɪ wər ˈgɪtɪŋ]) so far off(at a great distance [soʊ fɑr ɔf)])). 'Oh(an exclamation of surprise or concern [oʊ]), my poor little feet(an expression of sympathy for her feet [maɪ pur ˈlɪtəl fit]), I wonder(I am curious [aɪ ˈwəndər]) who(which person [hu]) will put on(will dress with [wɪl pʊt ɔn]) your shoes and stockings(items of clothing worn on the feet [jʊr ʃuz ənd ˈstɑkɪŋz]) for you now(at this time [fər ju naʊ]), dears(a term of endearment [dears])? I'm sure(I am certain [əm ʃʊr]) I shan't be able(I will not be capable [aɪ shant bi ˈeɪbəl])! I shall be(I will be [aɪ ʃæl bi]) a great deal(much [ə greɪt dil]) too far off(at too great a distance [tu fɑr ɔf]) to trouble myself(to concern myself [tɪ ˈtrəbəl ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]) about you(regarding you [əˈbaʊt ju]): you must manage(you must cope [ju məst ˈmænɪʤ]) the best way(in the most effective manner [ðə bɛst weɪ]) you can(that you are able to [ju kən-]);—but(however [bət]) I must be kind(I should be gentle and caring [aɪ məst bi kaɪnd]) to them(towards them (her feet [tɪ ðɛm]),' thought(considered [θɔt]) Alice(the character thinking [ˈælɪs]), 'or(otherwise [ər]) perhaps(maybe [pərˈhæps]) they won't walk(they will not move [ðeɪ woʊnt wɔk]) the way(the path or direction [ðə weɪ]) I want to go(I desire to travel [aɪ wɔnt tɪ goʊ])! Let me see(Let me think [lɛt mi si]): I'll give(I will provide [aɪl gɪv]) them(referring to her feet [ðɛm]) a new pair of boots(new footwear [ə nu pɛr əv buts]) every Christmas(each year during the Christmas holiday [ˈɛvəri ˈkrɪsməs]).'
And(conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) she(third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]) went on(continued [wɛnt ɔn]) planning(thinking about and deciding on a course of action [ˈplænɪŋ]) to herself(in her own mind; silently [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]) how(in what way or manner [haʊ]) she(third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]) would manage(how she would succeed in doing something [wʊd ˈmænɪʤ]) it(referring to a task or situation [ɪt]). (end of a sentence)'They(third-person plural pronoun referring to a group of people or things [ðeɪ]) must(expressing necessity or obligation [məst]) go(move or travel [goʊ]) by(via; using a particular means of transport [baɪ]) the carrier(a person or company that transports goods or people [ðə ˈkɛriər]),' (continuation of thought)she(third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]) thought(past tense of 'think'; had an idea or opinion [θɔt]); (continuation of thought)'and(conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) how(to what extent; in what way [haʊ]) funny(amusing; comical [ˈfəni]) it'll(contraction of 'it will'; referring to a future event or situation [ˈɪtəl]) seem(appear to be; give the impression of being [sim]), sending(causing to be conveyed to a destination [ˈsɛndɪŋ]) presents(gifts; things given to someone as a token of affection or appreciation [ˈprɛzənts]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) one's own(belonging to oneself [wənz oʊn]) feet(plural of 'foot'; the lower extremity of the leg below the ankle [fit])! (exclamation mark)And(conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) how(to what extent; in what way [haʊ]) odd(strange; peculiar [ɑd]) the directions(instructions on how to reach a place or how to use something [ðə dɪˈrɛkʃɪnz]) will look(will appear; will have a certain appearance [wɪl lʊk])!
ALICE'S(Possessive form of Alice, indicating something belonging to Alice [ˈælɪsəz]) RIGHT(Located on the right side [raɪt]) FOOT(The part of the body at the end of the leg [fʊt]), ESQ(Abbreviation for Esquire, a title of courtesy usually appended to a man's name without a higher title [esq]).
HEARTHRUG(A rug placed in front of a fireplace [hearthrug]),
NEAR(Close to [nɪr]) THE(Definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]) FENDER(A low metal guard before an open fireplace [ˈfɛndər]),
(WITH(Accompanied by [(wɪθ]) ALICE'S(Belonging to Alice [ˈælɪsəz]) LOVE(Affection [ləv)])).
Oh(An exclamation of surprise, pain, or pleasure [oʊ]) dear(An expression of dismay or concern [dɪr]), (Separates the interjection from the rest of the sentence)what(Used to express surprise or astonishment [wət]) nonsense(Words or ideas that are silly or make no sense [ˈnɑnsɛns]) I'm(Contraction of 'I am' [əm]) talking(Speaking [ˈtɔkɪŋ])!'
Just then(At that precise moment [ʤɪst ðɛn]) her(belonging to her [hər]) head(the part of the body above the neck [hɛd]) struck(hit [strək]) against(in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]) the roof(the top covering of a building or room [ðə rʊf]) of the hall(belonging to the hall [əv ðə hɔl]): (introduces an explanation or example)in fact(actually; really [ɪn fækt]) she(third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) now(at the present time [naʊ]) more than(exceeding [mɔr ðən]) nine(the number 9 [naɪn]) feet(plural of 'foot'; a unit of length [fit]) high(tall [haɪ]), (separates clauses)and(conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) she(third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]) at once(immediately; without delay [æt wəns]) took up(picked up; grabbed [tʊk əp]) the little(small [ðə ˈlɪtəl]) golden(made of gold or having the color of gold [ˈgoʊldən]) key(an object used to open a lock [ki]) and(conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) hurried off(went quickly [ˈhərid ɔf]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) the garden door(the door leading to the garden [ðə ˈgɑrdən dɔr]).
Poor Alice(An expression of sympathy or pity for Alice [pur ˈælɪs])! It was as much as she could do(She was barely able to manage or accomplish something; it was the limit of her ability [ɪt wɑz ɛz məʧ ɛz ʃi kʊd du]), lying down(being in a horizontal position [laɪɪŋ daʊn]) on one side(on one of her sides (left or right [ɔn wən saɪd]), to look through(to observe or peer into something [tɪ lʊk θru]) into the garden(towards the garden [ˈɪntu ðə ˈgɑrdən]) with one eye(using only one eye to see [wɪθ wən aɪ]); but to get through(but to pass or move to the other side [bət tɪ gɪt θru]) was more hopeless than ever(seemed even more impossible than before [wɑz mɔr ˈhoʊpləs ðən ˈɛvər]): she sat down(she lowered herself to a sitting position [ʃi sæt daʊn]) and began to cry again(and started weeping once more [ənd bɪˈgæn tɪ kraɪ əˈgɛn]).
'You ought to be ashamed of yourself(An expression of disapproval or reprimand, suggesting that someone should feel embarrassed or guilty about their actions [ju ɔt tɪ bi əˈʃeɪmd əv ˈjɔrsɛlf]),' said Alice(Alice spoke these words [sɛd ˈælɪs]), 'a great girl like you(a girl who is considered to be relatively old or mature [ə greɪt gərl laɪk ju]),' (she might well say this(an explanatory phrase indicating that Alice had good reason to say what she did [(ʃi maɪt wɛl seɪ ðɪs)])), 'to go on crying(to continue weeping [tɪ goʊ ɔn kraɪɪŋ]) in this way(in such a manner [ɪn ðɪs weɪ])! Stop this moment, I tell you(An imperative command to cease crying immediately [stɑp ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt aɪ tɛl ju])!' But she went on(However, she continued [bət ʃi wɛnt ɔn]) all the same(despite the command or expectation to stop [ɔl ðə seɪm]), shedding gallons of tears(crying profusely, producing a large quantity of tears [ˈʃɛdɪŋ ˈgælənz əv tɪrz]), until there was(leading to the existence of [ənˈtɪl ðɛr wɑz]) a large pool(a considerable accumulation of liquid [ə lɑrʤ pul]) all round her(surrounding her completely [ɔl raʊnd hər]), about four inches deep(approximately four inches in vertical extent [əˈbaʊt fɔr ˈɪnʧɪz dip]) and reaching half down the hall(extending halfway along the length of the hallway [ənd ˈriʧɪŋ hæf daʊn ðə hɔl]).
After a time(Following a period of unspecified duration [ˈæftər ə taɪm]) she heard(past tense of 'hear', meaning she perceived a sound [ʃi hərd]) a little pattering of feet(the sound of light, quick steps [ə ˈlɪtəl pattering əv fit]) in the distance(far away; not nearby [ɪn ðə ˈdɪstəns]), and she hastily dried her eyes(she quickly wiped away tears from her eyes [ənd ʃi ˈheɪstəli draɪd hər aɪz]) to see what was coming(in order to observe what was approaching [tɪ si wət wɑz ˈkəmɪŋ]). It was the White Rabbit returning(The White Rabbit was coming back [ɪt wɑz ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt rɪˈtərnɪŋ]), splendidly dressed(wearing impressive or beautiful clothing [ˈsplɛndədli drɛst]), with a pair of white kid gloves(holding two gloves made of soft leather [wɪθ ə pɛr əv waɪt kɪd gləvz]) in one hand(held in one of his hands [ɪn wən hænd]) and a large fan(and a big handheld device used to create a breeze [ənd ə lɑrʤ fæn]) in the other(held in his other hand [ɪn ðə ˈəðər]): he came trotting along(he approached with a quick, light gait [hi keɪm ˈtrɑtɪŋ əˈlɔŋ]) in a great hurry(very quickly; rushed [ɪn ə greɪt ˈhəri]), muttering to himself(speaking quietly and unclearly to himself [ˈmətərɪŋ tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]) as he came(while he was approaching [ɛz hi keɪm]), 'Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess(An exclamation expressing concern about the Duchess [oʊ ðə ˈdəʧəs ðə ˈdəʧəs])! Oh! won't she be savage(expressing concern that the Duchess will be angry [oʊ woʊnt ʃi bi ˈsævɪʤ]) if I've kept her waiting(if he has made the Duchess wait [ɪf aɪv kɛpt hər ˈweɪtɪŋ])!' Alice felt so desperate(Alice felt extremely hopeless [ˈælɪs fɛlt soʊ ˈdɛspərɪt]) that she was ready to ask help of any one(she was willing to seek assistance from anyone [ðət ʃi wɑz ˈrɛdi tɪ æsk hɛlp əv ˈɛni wən]); so, when the Rabbit came near her(therefore, when the Rabbit approached her [soʊ wɪn ðə ˈræbɪt keɪm nɪr hər]), she began, in a low, timid voice(she started speaking quietly and shyly [ʃi bɪˈgæn ɪn ə loʊ ˈtɪmɪd vɔɪs]), 'If you please, sir(a polite way to get someone's attention [ɪf ju pliz sər-])—' The Rabbit started violently(The Rabbit jumped suddenly and forcefully [ðə ˈræbɪt ˈstɑrtɪd ˈvaɪələntli]), dropped the white kid gloves and the fan(let go of the gloves and fan, causing them to fall [drɑpt ðə waɪt kɪd gləvz ənd ðə fæn]), and skurried away(and hurried away quickly [ənd skurried əˈweɪ]) into the darkness(into the dark area [ˈɪntu ðə ˈdɑrknəs]) as hard as he could go(as fast as he was able to run [ɛz hɑrd ɛz hi kʊd goʊ]).