'UNimportant(not significant or consequential [ənɪmˈpɔrtənt]), of course(naturally; as expected [əv kɔrs]), I meant(that was my intention [aɪ mɛnt]),' the King(the ruler of the land [ðə kɪŋ]) hastily said(spoke quickly and perhaps nervously [ˈheɪstəli sɛd]), and went on(continued speaking [ənd wɛnt ɔn]) to himself(speaking quietly, not intended for others to hear [tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]) in an undertone,
'important—unimportant—unimportant—important(alternating between the words 'important' and 'unimportant' [important-unimportant-unimportant-important-])—' as if(suggesting a comparison or resemblance [ɛz ɪf]) he were trying(he was attempting to determine [hi wər traɪɪŋ]) which word(referring to either 'important' or 'unimportant' [wɪʧ wərd]) sounded best.
Some of the jury(a portion of the group of jurors [səm əv ðə ˈʤʊri]) wrote it down(recorded the word [roʊt ɪt daʊn]) 'important(the word 'important' was written [ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]),' and some(and others [ənd səm]) 'unimportant(the word 'unimportant' was written [ənɪmˈpɔrtənt]).' Alice(a character's name [ˈælɪs]) could see this(was able to observe this action [kʊd si ðɪs]), as she was(because she was located [ɛz ʃi wɑz]) near enough(sufficiently close [nɪr ɪˈnəf]) to look over(to observe by peering down at [tɪ lʊk ˈoʊvər]) their slates(the writing surfaces of the jurors [ðɛr sleɪts]); 'but it(referring to the situation [bət ɪt]) doesn't matter(is not significant or consequential [ˈdəzənt ˈmætər]) a bit(at all; not even slightly [ə bɪt]),' she thought(Alice had the internal thought [ʃi θɔt]) to herself.
At this moment(Refers to the specific point in time when the following action occurs [æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]) the King(A male ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]), who had been(Indicates a past continuous state of being [hu hæd bɪn]) for some time(Indicates a duration of unspecified length [fər səm taɪm]) busily writing(Actively engaged in the process of writing [ˈbɪzəli ˈraɪtɪŋ]) in his note-book(Using a book for taking notes [ɪn hɪz note-book]), cackled out(Emitted a loud, broken sound, similar to a hen's cackle, while speaking [cackled aʊt]) 'Silence(An exclamation demanding quiet [ˈsaɪləns])!' and read out(Announced aloud by reading from a text [ənd rɛd aʊt]) from his book(Reading directly from the aforementioned book [frəm hɪz bʊk]), 'Rule Forty-two(The forty-second rule [rul forty-two]). ALL PERSONS(Every individual [ɔl ˈpərsənz]) MORE THAN(Exceeding a certain limit [mɔr ðən]) A MILE HIGH(Having a height greater than one mile [ə maɪl haɪ]) TO LEAVE(Must exit [tɪ liv]) THE COURT(The royal court or legal tribunal [ðə kɔrt]).'
Everybody(Every person; all people [ˈɛvriˌbɑdi]) looked at(Directed their gaze towards [lʊkt æt]) Alice(A proper noun, referring to a specific individual [ˈælɪs]).
'I'M(Contraction of 'I am' [əm]) not(Negation; not being [nɑt]) a mile high(Having a height of one mile [ə maɪl haɪ]),' said(Spoken by [sɛd]) Alice(A proper noun, referring to a specific individual [ˈælɪs]).
'You are(Confirmation that the person being addressed is indeed a mile high [ju ər]),' said(Spoken by [sɛd]) the King(A male ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]).
'Nearly(Almost; close to [ˈnɪrli]) two miles high(Having a height close to two miles [tu maɪəlz haɪ]),' added(Further stated [ˈædɪd]) the Queen(A female ruler of a kingdom [ðə kwin]).
'Well(An introductory word, often expressing mild surprise or resignation [wɛl]), I shan't(Contraction of 'I shall not'; indicates a future intention not to do something [aɪ shant]) go(Move or travel [goʊ]), at any rate(Regardless of what happens; in any case [æt ˈɛni reɪt]),' said(Spoken by [sɛd]) Alice(A proper noun, referring to a specific individual [ˈælɪs]): 'besides(In addition to; furthermore [ˌbiˈsaɪdz]), that's(Contraction of 'that is' [ðæts]) not(Negation; not being [nɑt]) a regular rule(A standard or established rule [ə ˈrɛgjələr rul]): you invented(You created or made up [ju ˌɪnˈvɛntɪd]) it(Referring to the rule [ɪt]) just now(Very recently; at this moment [ʤɪst naʊ]).'
'It's(Contraction of 'it is' [ɪts]) the oldest rule(The rule that has existed for the longest time [ðə ˈoʊldəst rul]) in the book(Contained within the book [ɪn ðə bʊk]),' said(Spoken by [sɛd]) the King(A male ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]).
'Then(As a consequence; therefore [ðɛn]) it ought to be(It should be [ɪt ɔt tɪ bi]) Number One(The first in a sequence [ˈnəmbər wən]),' said(Spoken by [sɛd]) Alice(A proper noun, referring to a specific individual [ˈælɪs]).
The King(Refers to the monarch, the male ruler of the kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]) turned pale(became white or ashen in the face, usually due to fear, shock, or illness [tərnd peɪl]), and shut(and closed [ənd ʃət]) his note-book(a book for writing notes [hɪz note-book]) hastily(quickly and in a rushed manner [ˈheɪstəli]). 'Consider your verdict(Think about your decision [kənˈsɪdər jʊr ˈvərdɪkt]),' he said(the King said [hi sɛd]) to the jury(a group of people sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them [tɪ ðə ˈʤʊri]), in a low, trembling voice(speaking quietly and with a shaking voice, indicating nervousness or fear [ɪn ə loʊ ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ vɔɪs]).
'There's(contraction of 'there is' [ðɛrz]) more evidence(additional facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid [mɔr ˈɛvədəns]) to come yet(still to be presented or revealed [tɪ kəm jɛt]), please your Majesty(a formal way of addressing a king or queen, showing respect [pliz jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]),' said the White Rabbit(the White Rabbit said [sɛd ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]), jumping up(standing up quickly [ˈʤəmpɪŋ əp]) in a great hurry(very quickly and urgently [ɪn ə greɪt ˈhəri]); 'this paper(this document [ðɪs ˈpeɪpər]) has just been picked up(has recently been found [həz ʤɪst bɪn pɪkt əp]).'
'What's(contraction of 'what is' [wəts]) in it(inside the paper? [ɪn ɪt])?' said the Queen(the Queen asked [sɛd ðə kwin]).
'I haven't(contraction of 'I have not' [aɪ ˈhævənt]) opened it yet(looked at the content of the paper yet [ˈoʊpənd ɪt jɛt]),' said the White Rabbit(the White Rabbit said [sɛd ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]), 'but it seems(but it appears [bət ɪt simz]) to be a letter(to be a written message [tɪ bi ə ˈlɛtər]), written by the prisoner(authored by the person being held in custody [ˈrɪtən baɪ ðə ˈprɪzənər]) to—to somebody(addressed to someone [to-to ˈsəmˌbɑdi]).'
'It must(it is likely [ɪt məst]) have been that(to be the case [hæv bɪn ðət]),' said the King(the King said [sɛd ðə kɪŋ]), 'unless it was written(if it was not addressed [ənˈlɛs ɪt wɑz ˈrɪtən]) to nobody(to no one [tɪ ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]), which isn't usual(which is not common [wɪʧ ˈɪzənt ˈjuʒəwəl]), you know(used to seek agreement or understanding [ju noʊ]).'
'Who is it directed to(A question asking about the intended recipient or target of something. [hu ɪz ɪt dɪˈrɛktɪd tɪ])?' said(past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]) one of the jurymen(indicating that the speaker is a member of the jury. [wən əv ðə jurymen]).
'It isn't directed at all(Meaning it is not aimed or addressed to anyone specifically. 'Isn't' is a contraction of 'is not'. [ɪt ˈɪzənt dɪˈrɛktɪd æt ɔl]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]) the White Rabbit(Referring to a character known as the White Rabbit. [ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]); 'in fact(Used to introduce a statement that is more precise or emphatic than a previous one. [ɪn fækt]), there's(contraction of 'there is'. [ðɛrz]) nothing written(meaning no text or words are present. [ˈnəθɪŋ ˈrɪtən]) on the OUTSIDE(Specifies that the absence of writing is on the external surface. [ɔn ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]).' He unfolded(He opened or spread out something that was folded. [hi ənˈfoʊldəd]) the paper(Referring to a sheet of paper. [ðə ˈpeɪpər]) as he spoke(While he was talking. [ɛz hi spoʊk]), and added(and said something more. [ənd ˈædɪd]) 'It isn't a letter, after all(Meaning it is not a letter as was previously thought. 'After all' indicates a change in understanding. [ɪt ˈɪzənt ə ˈlɛtər ˈæftər ɔl]): it's(contraction of 'it is'. [ɪts]) a set of verses(A collection of lines of poetry. [ə sɛt əv ˈvərsɪz]).'
'Are they in the prisoner's handwriting(A question asking if the writing is that of the prisoner. [ər ðeɪ ɪn ðə ˈprɪzənərz ˈhænˌdraɪtɪŋ])?' asked(past tense of 'ask', indicating that someone posed a question. [æst]) another of the jurymen(indicating that the speaker is a different member of the jury than the one who spoke previously. [əˈnəðər əv ðə jurymen]).
'No, they're not(Answering in the negative; 'they're' is a contraction of 'they are'. [noʊ ðɛr nɑt]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]) the White Rabbit(Referring to a character known as the White Rabbit. [ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]), 'and that's(contraction of 'that is'. [ənd ðæts]) the queerest thing(the strangest or most peculiar aspect. [ðə queerest θɪŋ]) about it(regarding the matter at hand. [əˈbaʊt ɪt]).' (The jury(Referring to the group of jurors. [(ðə ˈʤʊri]) all looked puzzled(indicating that the entire jury appeared confused. [ɔl lʊkt ˈpəzəld)]).)
'He must have imitated(He likely copied or mimicked. [hi məst hæv ˈɪməˌteɪtɪd]) somebody else's hand(someone else's handwriting. [ˈsəmˌbɑdi ˈɛlsɪz hænd]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]) the King(Referring to the character known as the King. [ðə kɪŋ]). (The jury(Referring to the group of jurors. [(ðə ˈʤʊri]) all brightened up(indicating that the entire jury became more cheerful or alert. [ɔl ˈbraɪtənd əp]) again(once more. [əˈgɛn)]).)
'Please your Majesty(A formal way to address a King or Queen, showing respect and deference. 'Please' indicates a polite request or statement. [pliz jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the Knave(A playing card, also a character in the story. The comma indicates a pause or separation of the speaker from the dialogue. [ðə neɪv]), 'I didn't write it(The Knave's statement that he did not write something, 'it' referring to an unspecified document or message. [aɪ ˈdɪdənt raɪt ɪt]), and(A conjunction connecting two clauses. [ənd]) they can't prove I did('they' refers to an unspecified group of people; 'can't' is a contraction of 'cannot', indicating inability; 'prove' means to demonstrate or establish something as true; 'I did' is a shortened form of 'I wrote it'. [ðeɪ kænt pruv aɪ dɪd]): there's no name signed at the end('there's' is a contraction of 'there is'; 'no name signed' means that the document does not have a signature; 'at the end' indicates the location of the missing signature. The apostrophe indicates the end of the Knave's statement. [ðɛrz noʊ neɪm saɪnd æt ðə ɛnd]).'