All this while(During this entire period; throughout the time that has passed [ɔl ðɪs waɪl]) no more(not any more; indicating that nothing further [noʊ mɔr]) had been seen(past perfect passive form of 'see', indicating that Snowball had not been observed [hæd bɪn sin]) of Snowball(referring to the character Snowball [əv sˈnoʊˌbɔl]). He(referring to Snowball [hi]) was rumoured(it was said; there was a rumor [wɑz rumoured]) to be hiding(to be in a concealed location [tɪ bi ˈhaɪdɪŋ]) on one of(among several; a selection from a group [ɔn wən əv]) the neighbouring farms(farms located nearby [ðə ˈneɪbərɪŋ fɑrmz]), either(used to introduce two possibilities [ˈiðər]) Foxwood or Pinchfield(names of the neighboring farms [ˈfɑksˌwʊd ər pinchfield]). Napoleon(referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) by this time(at this point; now [baɪ ðɪs taɪm]) on slightly better terms(having a somewhat improved relationship [ɔn sˈlaɪtli ˈbɛtər tərmz]) with the other farmers(referring to the farmers of the neighboring farms [wɪθ ðə ˈəðər ˈfɑrmərz]) than before(compared to the past; previously [ðən ˌbiˈfɔr]). It happened(it occurred; by chance [ɪt ˈhæpənd]) that(introduces a clause [ðət]) there was(there existed [ðɛr wɑz]) in the yard(in the enclosed area around the farm buildings [ɪn ðə jɑrd]) a pile of timber(a stack of wood [ə paɪl əv ˈtɪmbər]) which(refers to the pile of timber [wɪʧ]) had been stacked(had been piled up [hæd bɪn stækt]) there(in that place; in the yard [ðɛr]) ten years earlier(ten years in the past [tɛn jɪrz ˈərliər]) when(at the time that [wɪn]) a beech spinney(a small wood or thicket of beech trees [ə biʧ ˈspɪni]) was cleared(was cut down or removed [wɑz klɪrd]). It(referring to the pile of timber [ɪt]) was well seasoned(the timber had been dried and aged properly [wɑz wɛl ˈsizənd]), and(conjunction [ənd]) Whymper(name of a character [whymper]) had advised(had given advice [hæd ədˈvaɪzd]) Napoleon(referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]) to sell it(to sell the timber [tɪ sɛl ɪt]); both(referring to two individuals [boʊθ]) Mr Pilkington and Mr Frederick(names of the farmers [ˈmɪstər ˈpɪlkɪŋtən ənd ˈmɪstər ˈfrɛdərɪk]) were anxious(were eager; were keen [wər ˈæŋʃəs]) to buy it(to buy the timber [tɪ baɪ ɪt]). Napoleon(referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]) was hesitating(was pausing or delaying [wɑz ˈhɛzəˌteɪtɪŋ]) between the two(between Mr Pilkington and Mr Frederick [bɪtˈwin ðə tu]), unable to make up his mind(unable to decide [əˈneɪbəl tɪ meɪk əp hɪz maɪnd]). It(refers to the situation [ɪt]) was noticed(it was observed [wɑz ˈnoʊtɪst]) that(introduces a clause [ðət]) whenever(every time that [wɛˈnɛvər]) he seemed(he appeared [hi simd]) on the point of(about to; very close to [ɔn ðə pɔɪnt əv]) coming to an agreement(reaching a deal [ˈkəmɪŋ tɪ ən əˈgrimənt]) with Frederick(referring to Mr Frederick [wɪθ ˈfrɛdərɪk]), Snowball(referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) was declared(was stated; was announced [wɑz dɪˈklɛrd]) to be in hiding(to be concealed [tɪ bi ɪn ˈhaɪdɪŋ]) at Foxwood(name of the farm [æt ˈfɑksˌwʊd]), while(whereas; at the same time [waɪl]) when(at the time that [wɪn]) he inclined(he leaned; he favored [hi ˌɪnˈklaɪnd]) towards Pilkington(in the direction of Mr Pilkington [təˈwɔrdz ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]), Snowball(referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) was said(it was stated [wɑz sɛd]) to be at Pinchfield(to be at the Pinchfield farm [tɪ bi æt pinchfield]).
Suddenly(quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]), early in the spring(at the beginning of the spring season [ ˈərli ɪn ðə spərɪŋ]), an alarming thing(something that causes worry or fear [ ən əˈlɑrmɪŋ θɪŋ]) was discovered(was found out or noticed [wɑz dɪˈskəvərd]). (End of the sentence)Snowball(Name of a character, likely an animal in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) was secretly frequenting(was visiting often in a hidden manner [wɑz ˈsikrɪtli ˈfrikˌwɛntɪŋ]) the farm(the agricultural land and buildings [ðə fɑrm]) by night(during the nighttime [baɪ naɪt])! (Exclamation mark to show emphasis)The animals(The creatures living on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]) were so disturbed(were very worried or upset [wər soʊ dɪˈstərbd]) that they could hardly sleep(that they had difficulty falling or staying asleep [ðət ðeɪ kʊd ˈhɑrdli slip]) in their stalls(in the individual compartments where they are kept [ɪn ðɛr stɔlz]). (End of the sentence)Every night(each night; on every occasion of night [ˈɛvəri naɪt]), it was said(according to what people were saying [ ɪt wɑz sɛd]), he came creeping in(he entered slowly and quietly [ hi keɪm ˈkripɪŋ ɪn]) under cover of darkness(hidden by the darkness of the night [ˈəndər ˈkəvər əv ˈdɑrknəs]) and performed(and carried out [ənd pərˈfɔrmd]) all kinds of mischief(various types of bad behavior or trouble [ɔl kaɪnz əv ˈmɪsʧəf]). (End of the sentence)He stole(He took something without permission [hi stoʊl]) the corn(the grain crop [ðə kɔrn]), he upset(he knocked over [ hi ˈəpˌsɛt]) the milk-pails(the buckets used for milking [ðə milk-pails]), he broke(he shattered [ hi broʊk]) the eggs(the oval-shaped reproductive bodies of birds [ðə ɛgz]), he trampled(he stepped heavily on [ hi ˈtræmpəld]) the seed-beds(areas prepared for planting seeds [ðə seed-beds]), he gnawed(he bit or nibbled at [ hi nɔd]) the bark(the outer covering of trees [ðə bɑrk]) off the fruit trees(from the trees that produce fruit [ɔf ðə frut triz]). (End of the sentence)Whenever anything went wrong(Every time something bad happened [wɛˈnɛvər ˈɛniˌθɪŋ wɛnt rɔŋ]) it became usual(it became common practice [ɪt bɪˈkeɪm ˈjuʒəwəl]) to attribute it to Snowball(to blame Snowball for it [tɪ əˈtrɪˌbjut ɪt tɪ sˈnoʊˌbɔl]). (End of the sentence)If a window(In the event that a window [ɪf ə ˈwɪndoʊ]) was broken(was damaged or shattered [wɑz ˈbroʊkən]) or a drain(or a pipe carrying away wastewater [ər ə dreɪn]) was blocked up(was obstructed or clogged [wɑz blɑkt əp]), someone(some person [ ˈsəmˌwən]) was certain(was sure [wɑz ˈsərtən]) to say(to state [tɪ seɪ]) that Snowball(that the character Snowball [ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) had come(had arrived [hæd kəm]) in the night(during the nighttime [ɪn ðə naɪt]) and done it(and caused the damage [ənd dən ɪt]), and when(and at the time when [ ənd wɪn]) the key(the device used to lock or unlock something [ðə ki]) of the stores-shed(belonging to the shed where supplies are kept [əv ðə stores-shed]) was lost(could not be found [wɑz lɔst]) the whole farm(all the inhabitants of the farm [ðə hoʊl fɑrm]) was convinced(was certain [wɑz kənˈvɪnst]) that Snowball(that the character Snowball [ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) had thrown it(had tossed it [hæd θroʊn ɪt]) down the well(into the deep hole in the ground used to access water [daʊn ðə wɛl]). (End of the sentence)Curiously enough(Interestingly or surprisingly [ˈkjʊriəsli ɪˈnəf]) they went on believing(they continued to believe [ðeɪ wɛnt ɔn bɪˈlivɪŋ]) this(the aforementioned belief [ðɪs]) even after(even following the event that [ˈivɪn ˈæftər]) the mislaid key(the key that had been misplaced [ðə mɪsˈleɪd ki]) was found(was located [wɑz faʊnd]) under a sack of meal(beneath a bag of ground grains [ˈəndər ə sæk əv mil]). (End of the sentence)The cows(The female bovine animals [ðə kaʊz]) declared unanimously(stated with complete agreement [dɪˈklɛrd juˈnænəməsli]) that Snowball(that the character Snowball [ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) crept(moved slowly and quietly [krɛpt]) into their stalk(into their enclosure [ˈɪntu ðɛr stɔk]) and milked them(and extracted milk from them [ənd mɪlkt ðɛm]) in their sleep(while they were sleeping [ɪn ðɛr slip]). (End of the sentence)The rats(The rodents [ðə ræts]), which had been troublesome(who had been causing problems [ wɪʧ hæd bɪn ˈtrəbəlsəm]) that winter(during the winter season [ðət ˈwɪntər]), were also said(were also reported [ wər ˈɔlsoʊ sɛd]) to be in league with Snowball(to be secretly working together with Snowball [tɪ bi ɪn lig wɪθ sˈnoʊˌbɔl]).
Napoleon(A proper noun referring to a specific character, likely named after Napoleon Bonaparte, implying leadership or dominance [nəˈpoʊljən]) decreed(officially ordered or declared something [dɪˈkrid]) that(introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the decree [ðət]) their(grammatical error, should be 'there' - indicating existence [ðɛr]) should(expresses obligation, advisability, or probability [ʃʊd]) be(links the subject to the predicate [bi]) a full investigation(a thorough and complete inquiry into something [ə fʊl ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən]) into(expressing movement or direction inward [ˈɪntu]) Snowball's(possessive form of 'Snowball', indicating something belonging to or associated with Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz]) activities(actions or things being done [ækˈtɪvɪtiz]). With(accompanied by; in the company of [wɪθ]) his(belonging to Napoleon [hɪz]) dogs(domesticated carnivorous mammals, often used for guarding or herding [dɔgz]) in attendance(present and ready to assist or serve [ɪn əˈtɛndəns]) he(referring to Napoleon [hi]) set out(began a journey or course of action [sɛt aʊt]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) made(performed the action of [meɪd]) a careful tour(a detailed and thorough inspection or examination [ə ˈkɛrfəl tʊr]) of inspection(the act of examining or reviewing something [əv ˌɪnˈspɛkʃən]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the farm buildings(the structures on a farm, such as barns, sheds, and houses [ðə fɑrm ˈbɪldɪŋz]), the other animals(the remaining animals on the farm, excluding Napoleon and his dogs [ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]) following(going or coming after in the same direction [ˈfɑloʊɪŋ]) at(expressing location or position [æt]) a respectful distance(a distance that shows deference or politeness [ə rɪˈspɛktfəl ˈdɪstəns]). At(expressing location or position in time or space [æt]) every few steps(after a short interval of walking [ˈɛvəri fju stɛps]) Napoleon(referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]) stopped(ceased moving or acting [stɑpt]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) snuffed(smelled or sniffed audibly and vigorously [snəft]) the ground(the surface of the earth [ðə graʊnd]) for(indicating the purpose or reason for something [fər]) traces(signs or indications of something [ˈtreɪsɪz]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) Snowball's(possessive form of 'Snowball', indicating something belonging to or associated with Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz]) footsteps(the marks left by feet [ˈfʊtˌstɛps]), which(referring to the footsteps [wɪʧ]), he(referring to Napoleon [hi]) said(uttered words [sɛd]), he(referring to Napoleon [hi]) could(expressing possibility or ability [kʊd]) detect(discover or identify something [dɪˈtɛkt]) by(indicating the means or agent [baɪ]) the smell(the odor or scent [ðə smɛl]). He(referring to Napoleon [hi]) snuffed(smelled or sniffed audibly and vigorously [snəft]) in(expressing location or position within something [ɪn]) every(used to refer to all the individual members of a set without exception [ˈɛvəri]) comer(grammatical error, should be 'corner' - a place where two or more sides or edges meet [ˈkəmər]), in(expressing location or position within something [ɪn]) the barn(a large building used for storing farm products or livestock [ðə bɑrn]), in(expressing location or position within something [ɪn]) the cowshed(a building for sheltering cows [ðə cowshed]), in(expressing location or position within something [ɪn]) the henhouses(buildings for housing hens [ðə henhouses]), in(expressing location or position within something [ɪn]) the vegetable garden(a garden where vegetables are grown [ðə ˈvɛʤtəbəl ˈgɑrdən]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) found(discovered or came upon something [faʊnd]) traces(signs or indications of something [ˈtreɪsɪz]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) Snowball(referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) almost(nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]) everywhere(in or to every place [ˈɛvriˌwɛr]). He(referring to Napoleon [hi]) would(expressing a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]) put(move something to a specific location [pʊt]) his(belonging to Napoleon [hɪz]) snout(the projecting nose and mouth of an animal [snaʊt]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) the ground(the surface of the earth [ðə graʊnd]), give(perform the action of [gɪv]) several(more than two but not many [ˈsɛvərəl]) deep(extending far down or in [dip]) sniffs(the act of smelling or sniffing [snɪfs]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) exclaim(cry out suddenly and vehemently [ɪkˈskleɪm]) in(expressing manner or condition [ɪn]) a terrible voice(a voice that is frightening or alarming [ə ˈtɛrəbəl vɔɪs]), ‘Snowball(referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl])! He(referring to Snowball [hi]) has been(indicates a past action that has relevance to the present [həz bɪn]) here(in or at this place [hir])! I(referring to Napoleon [aɪ]) can(expressing ability or possibility [kən]) smell(perceive or recognize by means of the sense organs in the nose [smɛl]) him(referring to Snowball [ɪm]) distinctly(clearly; unmistakably [dɪˈstɪŋktli])!’ and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) at(expressing time or location [æt]) the word(a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing [ðə wərd]) ‘Snowball(referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl])’ all(the whole number or quantity of [ɔl]) the dogs(referring to the dogs [ðə dɔgz]) let out(emit or release something [lɛt aʊt]) blood-curdling(causing great fear or horror [blood-curdling]) growls(a low, guttural sound made by an animal, typically expressing aggression [graʊlz]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) showed(allowed to be seen [ʃoʊd]) their(belonging to the dogs [ðɛr]) side teeth(the teeth located on the sides of the mouth, typically the canines and premolars [saɪd tiθ]).