‘“Alfred Simmonds(name of a person or company [ˈælfrɪd ˈsɪməndz]), Horse Slaughterer(someone who kills horses, usually for meat or other products [hɔrs slaughterer]) and(conjunction, connecting two nouns [ənd]) Glue Boiler(someone who boils animal parts to make glue [glu ˈbɔɪlər]), Willingdon(name of a place [willingdon]). Dealer(a person who buys and sells things [ˈdilər]) in(preposition, indicating involvement or content [ɪn]) Hides(animal skins [haɪdz]) and(conjunction, connecting two nouns [ənd]) Bone-Meal(ground bones used as fertilizer or animal feed [bone-meal]). Kennels(establishments that breed or board dogs [ˈkɛnəlz]) Supplied(provided with goods or services [səˈplaɪd]).” Do(auxiliary verb used to form questions or emphatic statements [du]) you(referring to the animals [ju]) not(used to negate a statement [nɑt]) understand(comprehend [ˌəndərˈstænd]) what(used to ask for information specifying something [wət]) that(referring to the writing on the van [ðət]) means(signifies; indicates [minz])? They(referring to the people in the van [ðeɪ]) are taking(are in the process of taking [ər ˈteɪkɪŋ]) Boxer(name of a character [ˈbɑksər]) to(preposition, indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]) the knacker's(a place where old or unwanted animals are slaughtered [ðə knackers])!’
A cry of horror(An expression of extreme fear or shock [ə kraɪ əv ˈhɔrər]) burst(suddenly and forcefully emerged [bərst]) from all the animals(originating from every animal present [frəm ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]). At this moment(Precisely at this point in time [æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]) the man on the box(likely refers to the driver of a vehicle, 'box' possibly referring to the driver's seat or cabin [ðə mæn ɔn ðə bɑks]) whipped up(urged on or incited to greater speed or activity, typically by using a whip [wɪpt əp]) his horses(the horses belonging to the man [hɪz ˈhɔrsɪz]) and the van(the vehicle, a closed truck used for carrying goods or people [ənd ðə væn]) moved out of(departed from [muvd aʊt əv]) the yard(an area of ground, often enclosed, next to a building [ðə jɑrd]) at a smart trot(at a brisk, energetic pace for a horse [æt ə smɑrt trɑt]). All the animals(Every animal present [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]) followed(went after or came after [ˈfɑloʊd]), crying out(shouting or yelling loudly [kraɪɪŋ aʊt]) at the tops of their voices(as loudly as possible [æt ðə tɑps əv ðɛr ˈvɔɪsɪz]). Clover(a character's name [ˈkloʊvər]) forced her way(pushed or struggled to move forward [fɔrst hər weɪ]) to the front(to the leading position [tɪ ðə frənt]). The van(the vehicle [ðə væn]) began to gather speed(started to accelerate [bɪˈgæn tɪ ˈgæðər spid]). Clover(a character's name [ˈkloʊvər]) tried to stir(attempted to rouse or move [traɪd tɪ stər]) her stout limbs(her strong, sturdy legs [hər staʊt lɪmz]) to a gallop(to the fastest pace of a horse [tɪ ə ˈgæləp]), and achieved(and successfully reached [ənd əˈʧivd]) a canter(a moderate, easy gallop [ə ˈkæntər]). ‘Boxer(a character's name, repeated for emphasis [ˈbɑksər])!’ she cried(she shouted [ʃi kraɪd]). ‘Boxer! Boxer! Boxer!’ And just at this moment(Precisely at this point in time [ənd ʤɪst æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]), as though he had heard(as if he had perceived the sound [ɛz ðoʊ hi hæd hərd]) the uproar(a loud and chaotic noise [ðə ˈəˌprɔr]) outside(in the external environment [ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]). Boxer's face(the face of the character named Boxer [ˈbɑksərz feɪs]), with the white stripe(having a white marking [wɪθ ðə waɪt straɪp]) down his nose(extending along the length of his nose [daʊn hɪz noʊz]), appeared(became visible [əˈpɪrd]) at the small window(in the limited opening in the van [æt ðə smɔl ˈwɪndoʊ]) at the back of the van(at the rear part of the vehicle [æt ðə bæk əv ðə væn]).
‘Boxer(The name of the character being addressed, repeated for emphasis [‘‘boxer])!’ cried(shouted; exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]) Clover(The name of the character who is speaking [ˈkloʊvər]) in a terrible voice(spoken with great fear, distress, or urgency [ɪn ə ˈtɛrəbəl vɔɪs]). ‘Boxer(The name of the character being addressed, repeated for emphasis [‘‘boxer])! Get out(An urgent command to leave immediately [gɪt aʊt])! Get out(An urgent command to leave immediately, repeated for emphasis [gɪt aʊt]) quickly(Immediately; without delay [kˈwɪkli])! They(Refers to an unspecified group of people [ðeɪ]) are taking(The action of leading or escorting someone [ər ˈteɪkɪŋ]) you(Referring to Boxer [ju]) to your death(To the place where you will die; indicating imminent danger [tɪ jʊr death’*’])!’
All the animals(Every animal present [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]) took up(Joined in; started to repeat [tʊk əp]) the cry(The shouted words [ðə kraɪ]) of(Indicating the content of the cry [əv]) ‘Get out(An urgent command to leave immediately [‘‘get aʊt]). Boxer(The name of the character being addressed [ˈbɑksər]), get out(An urgent command to leave immediately, repeated for emphasis [gɪt out’*’])!’ But(However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]) the van(A closed vehicle for transporting goods or people [ðə væn]) was already(Had already begun to [wɑz ɔˈrɛdi]) gathering speed(Increasing in velocity [ˈgæðərɪŋ spid]) and(Connecting two related actions [ənd]) drawing away(Moving further away [drɔɪŋ əˈweɪ]) from them(Away from the animals who were watching [frəm ðɛm]). It(Refers to the situation or Boxer's state [ɪt]) was uncertain(Not clear; doubtful [wɑz ənˈsərtən]) whether(Expressing doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]) Boxer(The name of the character [ˈbɑksər]) had understood(Comprehended; grasped the meaning of [hæd ˌəndərˈstʊd]) what(Referring to the information [wət]) Clover(The name of the character [ˈkloʊvər]) had said(Spoken words [hæd sɛd]). But(However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]) a moment later(A short time afterward [ə ˈmoʊmənt ˈleɪtər]) his face(Boxer's face [hɪz feɪs]) disappeared(Vanished; was no longer visible [ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd]) from the window(From the opening in the van [frəm ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]) and(Connecting two events [ənd]) there was(There existed; there occurred [ðɛr wɑz]) the sound(The noise [ðə saʊnd]) of a tremendous drumming(A very loud, rhythmic beating [əv ə trɪˈmɛndəs ˈdrəmɪŋ]) of hoofs(The hard parts of the feet of animals like horses [əv hʊfs]) inside the van(Within the enclosed vehicle [ˌɪnˈsaɪd ðə væn]). He(Referring to Boxer [hi]) was trying(Attempting [wɑz traɪɪŋ]) to kick(To strike out with the foot [tɪ kɪk]) his way out(To create an opening by kicking [hɪz weɪ aʊt]). The time(A point in the past [ðə taɪm]) had been(There was a period [hæd bɪn]) when(At which [wɪn]) a few kicks(A small number of strikes with the feet [ə fju kɪks]) from Boxer's hoofs(From the hard parts of Boxer's feet [frəm ˈbɑksərz hʊfs]) would have smashed(Would have broken into pieces [wʊd hæv smæʃt]) the van(The vehicle [ðə væn]) to matchwood(Into small pieces like matchsticks [tɪ matchwood]). But(However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]) alas(An expression of sorrow or regret [əˈlæs])! his strength(Boxer's physical power [hɪz strɛŋθ]) had left him(Had diminished; he was no longer as strong [hæd lɛft ɪm]); and(Connecting two related events [ənd]) in a few moments(After a short time [ɪn ə fju ˈmoʊmənts]) the sound(The noise [ðə saʊnd]) of drumming hoofs(Of the rhythmic beating of feet [əv ˈdrəmɪŋ hʊfs]) grew fainter(Became quieter [gru ˈfeɪntər]) and(Connecting two related events [ənd]) died away(Gradually disappeared; faded out [daɪd əˈweɪ]). In desperation(In a state of extreme hopelessness leading to rash action [ɪn ˌdɛspərˈeɪʃɪn]) the animals(The group of animals watching [ðə ˈænəməlz]) began(Started [bɪˈgæn]) appealing(Making a plea; begging [əˈpilɪŋ]) to the two horses(Addressing the pair of horses pulling the van [tɪ ðə tu ˈhɔrsɪz]) which(Referring to the horses [wɪʧ]) drew the van(Pulled the vehicle [dru ðə væn]) to stop(To halt the vehicle's movement [tɪ stɑp]). ‘Comrades(A term of address indicating shared allegiance or friendship [‘‘comrades]), comrades(A term of address indicating shared allegiance or friendship, repeated for emphasis [comrades’*’])!’ they(Referring to the animals [ðeɪ]) shouted(Exclaimed loudly [ˈʃaʊtɪd]). ‘Don't take(Do not lead or escort [‘‘dont teɪk]) your own brother(A fellow animal; someone considered part of their group [jʊr oʊn ˈbrəðər]) to his death(To the place where he will die; indicating imminent danger [tɪ hɪz death’*’])!’ But(However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]) the stupid brutes(The unintelligent animals (horses), used in a derogatory way [ðə ˈstupɪd brutes]), too ignorant(Lacking knowledge or understanding [tu ˈɪgnərənt]) to realise(To understand; to become aware of [tɪ ˈriəˌlaɪz]) what(Referring to the situation [wət]) was happening(Occurring; taking place [wɑz ˈhæpənɪŋ]), merely(Only; simply [ˈmɪrli]) set back(Turned backward [sɛt bæk]) their ears(The horses' ears [ðɛr ɪrz]) and(Connecting two actions [ənd]) quickened(Increased [kˈwɪkənd]) their pace(Their speed of movement [ðɛr peɪs]). Boxer's face(Boxer's facial expression [ˈbɑksərz feɪs]) did not reappear(Did not become visible again [dɪd nɑt ˌriəˈpɪr]) at the window(In the opening of the van [æt ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]). Too late(It was too late; the opportunity had passed [tu leɪt]), someone(An unspecified person [ˈsəmˌwən]) thought of(Considered; had the idea [θɔt əv]) racing ahead(Running quickly in front [ˈreɪsɪŋ əˈhɛd]) and(Connecting two actions [ənd]) shutting(Closing [ˈʃətɪŋ]) the five-barred gate(A gate with five horizontal bars [ðə five-barred geɪt]); but(However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]) in another moment(Very soon; shortly afterward [ɪn əˈnəðər ˈmoʊmənt]) the van(The vehicle [ðə væn]) was through it(Had passed through the gate [wɑz θru ɪt]) and(Connecting two events [ənd]) rapidly(Quickly; at a fast pace [ˈræpədli]) disappearing(Moving out of sight [ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ]) down the road(Along the path [daʊn ðə roʊd]). Boxer(The name of the character [ˈbɑksər]) was never seen(Was never observed again [wɑz ˈnɛvər sin]) again(Any more; in the future [əˈgɛn]).