'Would it be of any use, now(Expresses a question about whether something would be helpful or beneficial at the present time. [wʊd ɪt bi əv ˈɛni juz naʊ]),' thought(past tense of 'think', indicating an internal reflection or consideration. [θɔt]) Alice(the name of the character who is thinking. [ˈælɪs]), 'to speak to this mouse(Refers to the act of talking to the mouse in question. [tɪ spik tɪ ðɪs maʊs])? Everything(refers to all things or all aspects of the situation. [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]) is so out-of-the-way(means unusual, strange, or not conforming to the normal. [ɪz soʊ out-of-the-way]) down here(refers to the location where Alice is, implying it is below or different from the usual place. [daʊn hir]), that I should think(indicates Alice's reasoning or belief. [ðət aɪ ʃʊd θɪŋk]) very likely(means probably or with a high degree of possibility. [ˈvɛri ˈlaɪkli]) it can talk(refers to the mouse's ability to speak. [ɪt kən tɔk]): at any rate(means regardless or in any case. [æt ˈɛni reɪt]), there's no harm(indicates that there is no negative consequence or risk. [ðɛrz noʊ hɑrm]) in trying(refers to the act of attempting something. [ɪn traɪɪŋ]).' So(introduces a consequence or result. [soʊ]) she began(indicates the start of an action. [ʃi bɪˈgæn]): 'O Mouse(an exclamation and direct address to the mouse. [oʊ maʊs]), do you know(a question asking if the mouse is aware. [du ju noʊ]) the way out(refers to the path or direction to exit. [ðə weɪ aʊt]) of this pool(specifies the location from which Alice wants to exit. [əv ðɪs pul])? I am(contraction of 'I am', indicating Alice's state. [aɪ æm]) very tired(indicates a high degree of fatigue. [ˈvɛri taɪərd]) of swimming(refers to the act of moving through water. [əv sˈwɪmɪŋ]) about here(indicates the general location of the swimming. [əˈbaʊt hir]), O Mouse(Repeats the exclamation and direct address to the mouse. [oʊ maʊs])!' (Alice thought(Indicates Alice's internal thought process. [(ˈælɪs θɔt]) this must be(Expresses Alice's belief or conclusion. [ðɪs məst bi]) the right way(Refers to the correct manner or method. [ðə raɪt weɪ]) of speaking(Indicates the act of communication. [əv ˈspikɪŋ]) to a mouse(Specifies the recipient of the communication. [tɪ ə maʊs]): she had(Contraction of 'she had', indicating a past action. [ʃi hæd]) never done(Indicates that Alice has not performed the action before. [ˈnɛvər dən]) such a thing(Refers to the specific action of speaking to a mouse. [səʧ ə θɪŋ]) before(Indicates that the action has not occurred previously. [ˌbiˈfɔr]), but(Introduces a contrast or exception. [bət]) she remembered(Indicates Alice's recollection. [ʃi rɪˈmɛmbərd]) having seen(Refers to a past experience of observing something. [ˈhævɪŋ sin]) in her brother's Latin Grammar(Specifies the source of Alice's memory. [ɪn hər ˈbrəðərz ˈlætən ˈgræmər]), 'A mouse—of a mouse—to a mouse—a mouse—O mouse(An example from the Latin Grammar, showing different cases of the noun 'mouse'. [ə mouse-of ə mouse-to ə mouse-a mouse-o maʊs)])!') The Mouse(Refers to the mouse being addressed. [ðə maʊs]) looked at her(Indicates the mouse's action of observing Alice. [lʊkt æt hər]) rather inquisitively(Describes the manner of the mouse's gaze, implying curiosity. [ˈrəðər inquisitively]), and seemed to her(Indicates Alice's perception of the mouse's actions. [ənd simd tɪ hər]) to wink(Refers to the action of briefly closing one eye. [tɪ wɪŋk]) with one(Specifies the number of eyes involved in the wink. [wɪθ wən]) of its little eyes(Indicates the part of the mouse's body used for winking. [əv ɪts ˈlɪtəl aɪz]), but(Introduces a contrast. [bət]) it said nothing(Indicates that the mouse did not speak. [ɪt sɛd ˈnəθɪŋ]).
'Perhaps(Possibly; maybe [pərˈhæps]) it(Refers to something previously mentioned or understood from context, likely the Mouse in this case [ɪt]) doesn't(Contraction of 'does not', indicating negation [ˈdəzənt]) understand(To perceive the meaning of something [ˌəndərˈstænd]) English(The English language [ˈɪŋlɪʃ]),' (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)(Punctuation mark used to indicate a quote)thought(Past tense of 'think', indicating a mental process or belief [θɔt]) Alice(The name of the character who is thinking [ˈælɪs]); (Punctuation mark used to separate related independent clauses)'I(First-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]) daresay(An expression meaning 'I suppose' or 'I believe' [ˈdɛrseɪ]) it's(Contraction of 'it is', where 'it' refers to the mouse [ɪts]) a French mouse(A mouse that is from France or speaks French [ə frɛnʧ maʊs]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)come over(To arrive or travel to a place [kəm ˈoʊvər]) with(In the company of; accompanying [wɪθ]) William the Conqueror(The Duke of Normandy who invaded England in 1066 [ˈwɪljəm ðə ˈkɑŋkərər]).' (Punctuation mark used to end a sentence)(Punctuation mark used to open parentheses)(For(Because; since [fər]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)with(Having; possessing [wɪθ]) all(The whole quantity or extent of [ɔl]) her(Possessive pronoun referring to Alice [hər]) knowledge(Information or understanding about a subject [ˈnɑlɪʤ]) of(Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) history(The study of past events [ˈhɪstəri]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)Alice(The name of the character [ˈælɪs]) had(Past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]) no(Not any; none [noʊ]) very(To a great extent; extremely [ˈvɛri]) clear(Easy to understand; not vague [klɪr]) notion(An idea or belief [ˈnoʊʃən]) how long ago(Referring to the amount of time that has passed since an event [haʊ lɔŋ əˈgoʊ]) anything(A thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) had happened(Past perfect tense of 'happen', indicating an event that occurred before another past event [hæd ˈhæpənd]).) (Punctuation mark used to end a sentence)So(Therefore; as a result [soʊ]) she(Third-person singular pronoun, referring to Alice [ʃi]) began(Past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn]) again(Once more; another time [əˈgɛn]): (Punctuation mark used to introduce a list or explanation)'Ou(French word meaning 'where' [u]) est(French word meaning 'is' [ɛst]) ma(French word meaning 'my' (feminine [mɑ]) chatte(French word for 'female cat' [chatte])?' (Punctuation mark used to end a question)which(Referring to the previous phrase 'Ou est ma chatte?' [wɪʧ]) was(Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) the first sentence(The initial sentence [ðə fərst ˈsɛntəns]) in(Expressing location or containment [ɪn]) her(Possessive pronoun referring to Alice [hər]) French(Relating to France or the French language [frɛnʧ]) lesson-book(A book used for learning lessons, especially in a foreign language [lesson-book]). (Punctuation mark used to end a sentence)The Mouse(Referring to the mouse in the story [ðə maʊs]) gave(Past tense of 'give', meaning to perform an action [geɪv]) a sudden leap(A quick, forceful jump [ə ˈsədən lip]) out of(Moving from inside to outside [aʊt əv]) the water(The liquid in which the Mouse was located [ðə ˈwɔtər]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)and(Conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) seemed(Appeared to be [simd]) to quiver(To shake or tremble [tɪ kˈwɪvər]) all over(In every part of [ɔl ˈoʊvər]) with(Expressing the cause or reason for something [wɪθ]) fright(A feeling of fear or alarm [fraɪt]). (Punctuation mark used to end a sentence)'Oh(An exclamation expressing surprise or emotion [oʊ]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)I beg(To ask earnestly or humbly [aɪ bɛg]) your(Possessive pronoun referring to the person being addressed [jʊr]) pardon(Forgiveness for an offense or mistake [ˈpɑrdən])!' (Punctuation mark used to end a sentence with emphasis)cried(Past tense of 'cry', meaning to speak loudly or express emotion [kraɪd]) Alice(The name of the character [ˈælɪs]) hastily(Quickly; without delay [ˈheɪstəli]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)afraid(Feeling fear or apprehension [əˈfreɪd]) that(Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) she(Third-person singular pronoun, referring to Alice [ʃi]) had hurt(Past perfect tense of 'hurt', meaning to cause pain or distress [hæd hərt]) the poor(Deserving pity or sympathy [ðə pur]) animal's(Possessive form of 'animal', referring to something belonging to the animal [ˈænəməlz]) feelings(Emotional state or sensitivity [ˈfilɪŋz]). (Punctuation mark used to end a sentence)'I(First-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]) quite(Completely; entirely [kwaɪt]) forgot(Past tense of 'forget', meaning to fail to remember [fərˈgɑt]) you(Second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed [ju]) didn't(Contraction of 'did not', indicating negation [ˈdɪdənt]) like(To enjoy or be fond of [laɪk]) cats(Plural of 'cat', a domesticated feline animal [kæts]).'
'Not like cats(Expression of dislike for cats [nɑt laɪk kæts])!' cried(past tense of 'cry', meaning to exclaim or shout [kraɪd]) the Mouse(referring to a specific mouse character [ðə maʊs]), in a shrill, passionate voice(describes the tone and emotion in the mouse's voice; 'shrill' means high-pitched and piercing, 'passionate' means expressing strong emotion [ɪn ə ʃrɪl ˈpæʃənət vɔɪs]). 'Would YOU like cats if you were me(a rhetorical question emphasizing the mouse's aversion to cats, implying that no one would like cats if they were in the mouse's position [wʊd ju laɪk kæts ɪf ju wər mi])?'
'Well, perhaps not(an expression indicating agreement or understanding, but with reservation [wɛl pərˈhæps nɑt]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]) Alice(referring to the character Alice [ˈælɪs]) in a soothing tone(describes the manner of speaking, aiming to calm or reassure [ɪn ə ˈsuðɪŋ toʊn]): 'don't be angry about it(a request to avoid feeling anger or resentment [doʊnt bi ˈæŋgri əˈbaʊt ɪt]). And yet(introducing a contrasting idea [ənd jɛt]) I wish I could show you our cat Dinah(expressing a desire to introduce the mouse to Alice's cat [aɪ wɪʃ aɪ kʊd ʃoʊ ju ɑr kæt ˈdaɪnə]): I think you'd take a fancy to cats(expressing the belief that the mouse would develop a liking for cats [aɪ θɪŋk jʊd teɪk ə ˈfænsi tɪ kæts]) if you could only see her(emphasizing the importance of seeing the cat to change the mouse's opinion [ɪf ju kʊd ˈoʊnli si hər]). She is such a dear quiet thing(describing the cat as lovable and calm [ʃi ɪz səʧ ə dɪr kwaɪət θɪŋ]),' Alice went on(indicating that Alice continued speaking [ˈælɪs wɛnt ɔn]), half to herself(speaking quietly, as if thinking aloud [hæf tɪ hərˈsɛlf]), as she swam lazily about in the pool(describing Alice's relaxed movement in the water [ɛz ʃi swæm ˈlæzəli əˈbaʊt ɪn ðə pul]), 'and she sits purring so nicely by the fire(describing the cat's contented behavior near the fireplace [ənd ʃi sɪts pərɪŋ soʊ ˈnaɪsli baɪ ðə faɪər]), licking her paws and washing her face(describing the cat's grooming habits [ˈlɪkɪŋ hər pɔz ənd ˈwɑʃɪŋ hər feɪs])—and she is such a nice soft thing to nurse(describing the cat as pleasant to hold and cuddle [-ənd ʃi ɪz səʧ ə nis sɔft θɪŋ tɪ nərs-])—and she's such a capital one for catching mice(describing the cat as excellent at catching mice; 'capital' means excellent or first-rate [ənd ʃiz səʧ ə ˈkæpɪtəl wən fər ˈkæʧɪŋ maɪs-])—oh, I beg your pardon(an apology for saying something potentially offensive [oʊ aɪ bɛg jʊr ˈpɑrdən])!' cried(past tense of 'cry', meaning to exclaim or shout [kraɪd]) Alice again(indicating that Alice spoke again [ˈælɪs əˈgɛn]), for this time(indicating the reason for the apology [fər ðɪs taɪm]) the Mouse was bristling all over(describing the mouse's reaction, showing anger or defensiveness; 'bristling' means the fur standing on end [ðə maʊs wɑz ˈbrɪsəlɪŋ ɔl ˈoʊvər]), and she felt certain it must be really offended(expressing Alice's belief that the mouse was genuinely upset [ənd ʃi fɛlt ˈsərtən ɪt məst bi ˈrɪli əˈfɛndɪd]). 'We won't talk about her any more(promising to stop talking about the cat [wi woʊnt tɔk əˈbaʊt hər ˈɛni mɔr]) if you'd rather not(offering to change the subject if the mouse prefers [ɪf jʊd ˈrəðər nɑt]).'
'We indeed(An exclamation expressing strong agreement or affirmation, possibly with sarcasm or disbelief depending on context. [wi ˌɪnˈdid])!' cried(uttered loudly; exclaimed [kraɪd]) the Mouse(referring to a specific mouse character in the story [ðə maʊs]), who was trembling(describes the mouse's physical state, indicating fear or nervousness [hu wɑz ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ]) down to the end of his tail(emphasizes the extent of the mouse's trembling [daʊn tɪ ðə ɛnd əv hɪz teɪl]). 'As if I would talk on such a subject(A rhetorical question expressing disbelief or unwillingness to discuss a particular topic. [ɛz ɪf aɪ wʊd tɔk ɔn səʧ ə ˈsəbʤɪkt])! Our family(referring to the mouse's lineage or relatives [ɑr ˈfæməli]) always HATED(expressing a strong dislike or aversion [ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈheɪtɪd]) cats(domestic felines, often seen as predators of mice [kæts]): nasty, low, vulgar things(a series of adjectives expressing strong disapproval and disdain [ˈnæsti loʊ ˈvəlgər θɪŋz])! Don't let me hear the name again(A forceful command to avoid mentioning the subject again. [doʊnt lɛt mi hir ðə neɪm əˈgɛn])!'