That evening(The specified night [ðət ˈivnɪŋ]) loud laughter(noisy expression of amusement [laʊd ˈlæftər]) and bursts of singing(sudden instances of singing [ənd bərsts əv ˈsɪŋɪŋ]) came from(originated from [keɪm frəm]) the farmhouse(the main house on the farm [ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]). And suddenly(And unexpectedly [ənd ˈsədənli]), at the sound(upon hearing [æt ðə saʊnd]) of the mingled voices(of the combined sounds of people speaking or singing [əv ðə ˈmɪŋgəld ˈvɔɪsɪz]), the animals were stricken(the animals were affected [ðə ˈænəməlz wər ˈstrɪkən]) with curiosity(with a strong desire to know or learn something [wɪθ ˌkjʊriˈɑsəti]). What could be happening(What might be occurring [wət kʊd bi ˈhæpənɪŋ]) in there(inside the farmhouse [ɪn ðɛr]), now that(since [naʊ ðət]) for the first time(previously never [fər ðə fərst taɪm]) animals and human beings(non-human creatures and people [ˈænəməlz ənd ˈjumən biɪŋz]) were meeting(were gathering [wər ˈmitɪŋ]) on terms of equality(with equal status and rights [ɔn tərmz əv ɪkˈwɑləti])? With one accord(In complete agreement [wɪθ wən əˈkɔrd]) they began to creep(they started to move slowly and carefully [ðeɪ bɪˈgæn tɪ krip]) as quietly as possible(with the least amount of noise [ɛz kˈwaɪətli ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl]) into the farmhouse garden(into the garden belonging to the main house on the farm [ˈɪntu ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs ˈgɑrdən]).
At the gate(Indicates the location where the action begins, specifically at the entrance or barrier [æt ðə geɪt]) they paused(They stopped briefly, indicating hesitation or uncertainty [ðeɪ pɔzd]), half frightened(Partially scared or intimidated [hæf ˈfraɪtənd]) to go on(To continue moving forward or proceeding with their action [tɪ goʊ ɔn]), but Clover led the way in(Clover, a character, took the initiative and entered first [bət ˈkloʊvər lɛd ðə weɪ ɪn]). They tiptoed up to the house(They walked quietly and carefully towards the building [ðeɪ ˈtɪpˌtoʊd əp tɪ ðə haʊs]), and such animals as were tall enough(Referring to the animals that had sufficient height [ənd səʧ ˈænəməlz ɛz wər tɔl ɪˈnəf]) peered in(Looked or peeked inside [pɪrd ɪn]) at the dining-room window(Specifically, the window of the dining room [æt ðə dining-room ˈwɪndoʊ]). There(Indicates a specific location or scene [ðɛr]), round the long table(Positioned around a table that is elongated [raʊnd ðə lɔŋ ˈteɪbəl]), sat half a dozen farmers(Six farmers were seated [sæt hæf ə ˈdəzən ˈfɑrmərz]) and half a dozen of the more eminent pigs(Six prominent or distinguished pigs were also seated [ənd hæf ə ˈdəzən əv ðə mɔr ˈɛmənənt pɪgz]), Napoleon himself(Referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən hɪmˈsɛlf]) occupying the seat of honour(Sitting in the most important or prestigious position [ˈɑkjəˌpaɪɪŋ ðə sit əv ˈɑnər]) at the head of the table(The end of the table, typically where the most important person sits [æt ðə hɛd əv ðə ˈteɪbəl]). The pigs appeared(The pigs seemed or gave the impression [ðə pɪgz əˈpɪrd]) completely at ease(Totally comfortable and relaxed [kəmˈplitli æt iz]) in their chairs(While sitting in their respective chairs [ɪn ðɛr ʧɛrz]). The company(The group of people present [ðə ˈkəmpəˌni]) had been enjoying(Were in the process of enjoying [hæd bɪn ˌɛnˈʤɔɪɪŋ]) a game of cards(Playing a card game [ə geɪm əv kɑrdz]), but had broken off(Stopped or interrupted their activity [bət hæd ˈbroʊkən ɔf]) for the moment(Temporarily [fər ðə ˈmoʊmənt]), evidently(Apparently or clearly [ˈɛvədəntli]) in order to drink a toast(For the purpose of making a celebratory drink [ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ drɪŋk ə toʊst]). A large jug(A big container for liquids [ə lɑrʤ ʤəg]) was circulating(Was being passed around [wɑz ˈsərkjəˌleɪtɪŋ]), and the mugs(Drinking cups [ənd ðə məgz]) were being refilled(Were being filled again [wər biɪŋ riˈfɪld]) with beer(With the alcoholic beverage beer [wɪθ bɪr]). No one noticed(Nobody paid attention to [noʊ wən ˈnoʊtɪst]) the wondering faces(The faces expressing curiosity or surprise [ðə ˈwəndərɪŋ ˈfeɪsɪz]) of the animals(Belonging to the animals [əv ðə ˈænəməlz]) that gazed in(Who were staring or looking intently [ðət geɪzd ɪn]) at the window(Through the window [æt ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]).
Mr Pilkington(A proper noun, referring to a character named Mr. Pilkington [ˈmɪstər ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]), of Foxwood(Indicates that Mr. Pilkington is associated with a place called Foxwood, possibly his estate or farm [əv ˈfɑksˌwʊd]), had stood up(Past perfect tense, indicating that he had risen to a standing position before the next action occurred [hæd stʊd əp]), his mug(A drinking vessel, typically cylindrical and with a handle [hɪz məg]) in his hand(Indicates that he was holding the mug [ɪn hɪz hænd]). In a moment(Soon; very shortly [ɪn ə ˈmoʊmənt]), he said(Indicates that he is about to speak [hi sɛd]), he would ask(Expresses his intention to request something [hi wʊd æsk]) the present company(The people who are currently gathered or attending [ðə ˈprɛzənt ˈkəmpəˌni]) to drink a toast(To participate in a ritual of drinking to honor someone or something [tɪ drɪŋk ə toʊst]). But before doing so(However, prior to performing that action [bət ˌbiˈfɔr duɪŋ soʊ]) there were a few words(He has some remarks to make [ðɛr wər ə fju wərdz]) that he felt(Expresses his personal feeling or opinion [ðət hi fɛlt]) it incumbent upon him(That he felt obligated or duty-bound [ɪt ˌɪnˈkəmbənt əˈpɑn ɪm]) to say(To express or utter those words [tɪ seɪ]).
It was(Refers to a situation or fact [ɪt wɑz]) a source of great satisfaction(Something that brings a lot of pleasure or contentment [ə sɔrs əv greɪt ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən]) to him(Referring to Mr. Pilkington [tɪ ɪm]), he said(Indicates that he is speaking [hi sɛd]) – and(Connects two similar ideas [ənd]), he was sure(Expresses his certainty [hi wɑz ʃʊr]), to all others present(To everyone else who is here [tɪ ɔl ˈəðərz ˈprɛzənt]) – to feel(To have the sensation or belief [tɪ fil]) that a long period of mistrust and misunderstanding(A prolonged time characterized by a lack of trust and incorrect interpretations [ðət ə lɔŋ ˈpɪriəd əv mɪˈstrəst ənd ˌmɪsəndərˈstændɪŋ]) had now come to an end(Has finally finished or concluded [hæd naʊ kəm tɪ ən ɛnd]). There had been(There existed at some point in the past [ðɛr hæd bɪn]) a time(A specific period [ə taɪm]) – not that he(He is clarifying something [nɑt ðət hi]), or any of the present company(Or anyone else who is here now [ər ˈɛni əv ðə ˈprɛzənt ˈkəmpəˌni]), had shared such sentiments(Had felt those feelings or opinions [hæd ʃɛrd səʧ ˈsɛnəmənts]) – but there had been(However, there was a time [bət ðɛr hæd bɪn]) a time(A period [ə taɪm]) when the respected proprietors(When the owners who are held in high regard [wɪn ðə rɪˈspɛktɪd prəˈpraɪətərz]) of Animal Farm(Referring to the farm in question [əv ˈænəməl fɑrm]) had been regarded(Were viewed or considered [hæd bɪn rɪˈgɑrdɪd]), he would not say(He is qualifying his statement [hi wʊd nɑt seɪ]) with hostility(With unfriendly or aggressive feelings [wɪθ hɑˈstɪləti]), but perhaps(Maybe; possibly [bət pərˈhæps]) with a certain measure of misgiving(With some degree of doubt or apprehension [wɪθ ə ˈsərtən ˈmɛʒər əv mɪsˈgɪvɪŋ]), by their human neighbours(By the people living nearby [baɪ ðɛr ˈjumən ˈneɪbərz]). Unfortunate incidents(Bad or regrettable events [ənˈfɔrʧənət ˈɪnsədənts]) had occurred(Had happened [hæd əˈkərd]), mistaken ideas(Incorrect beliefs or understandings [mɪˈsteɪkən aɪˈdiəz]) had been current(Were prevalent or widespread [hæd bɪn ˈkɑrənt]). It had been felt(The general opinion was [ɪt hæd bɪn fɛlt]) that the existence(The fact that something exists [ðət ðə ɪgˈzɪstəns]) of a farm(A piece of land used for agriculture [əv ə fɑrm]) owned and operated by pigs(Whose owners and workers are pigs [oʊnd ənd ˈɑpərˌeɪtəd baɪ pɪgz]) was somehow abnormal(Was considered unusual or not normal [wɑz ˈsəmˌhaʊ æbˈnɔrməl]) and was liable(And was likely [ənd wɑz ˈlaɪəbəl]) to have an unsettling effect(To cause worry or disturbance [tɪ hæv ən ənˈsɛtəlɪŋ ˈifɛkt]) in the neighbourhood(In the surrounding area [ɪn ðə ˈneɪbərˌhʊd]). Too many farmers(A large number of farmers [tu ˈmɛni ˈfɑrmərz]) had assumed(Had supposed or believed [hæd əˈsumd]), without due enquiry(Without proper investigation or questioning [wɪˈθaʊt du ɪnkˈwaɪˌri]), that on such a farm(That on a farm like that [ðət ɔn səʧ ə fɑrm]) a spirit of licence and indiscipline(A feeling of excessive freedom and lack of control [ə ˈspɪrɪt əv ˈlaɪsəns ənd indiscipline]) would prevail(Would be common or dominant [wʊd prɪˈveɪl]). They had been nervous(They were anxious or worried [ðeɪ hæd bɪn ˈnərvəs]) about the effects(About the consequences [əˈbaʊt ðə ˈifɛkts]) upon their own animals(On their own livestock [əˈpɑn ðɛr oʊn ˈænəməlz]), or even(Or also [ər ˈivɪn]) upon their human employees(On the people who work for them [əˈpɑn ðɛr ˈjumən ɪmˈplɔɪiz]). But all such doubts(However, all those uncertainties [bət ɔl səʧ daʊts]) were now dispelled(Have now been removed or eliminated [wər naʊ dɪˈspɛld]). Today(On this day [təˈdeɪ]) he and his friends(He and the people with him [hi ənd hɪz frɛndz]) had visited Animal Farm(Went to Animal Farm [hæd ˈvɪzɪtɪd ˈænəməl fɑrm]) and inspected(And examined carefully [ənd ˌɪnˈspɛktɪd]) every inch of it(All of it, completely [ˈɛvəri ɪnʧ əv ɪt]) with their own eyes(Personally, by seeing it themselves [wɪθ ðɛr oʊn aɪz]), and what did they find(And what was their conclusion [ənd wət dɪd ðeɪ faɪnd])? Not only(In addition to other things [nɑt ˈoʊnli]) the most up-to-date methods(The newest and most modern techniques [ðə moʊst up-to-date ˈmɛθədz]), but a discipline and an orderliness(But also control and organization [bət ə ˈdɪsəplən ənd ən ˈɔrdərlinəs]) which should be an example(That should serve as a model [wɪʧ ʃʊd bi ən ɪgˈzæmpəl]) to all farmers everywhere(For all farmers in every place [tɪ ɔl ˈfɑrmərz ˈɛvriˌwɛr]). He believed(He thinks [hi bɪˈlivd]) that he was right(That he is correct [ðət hi wɑz raɪt]) in saying(In stating [ɪn seɪɪŋ]) that the lower animals(The animals that are considered less important [ðət ðə loʊər ˈænəməlz]) on Animal Farm(At Animal Farm [ɔn ˈænəməl fɑrm]) did more work(Worked harder [dɪd mɔr wərk]) and received less food(And were given less to eat [ənd rɪˈsivd lɛs fud]) than any animals(Than all the animals [ðən ˈɛni ˈænəməlz]) in the county(In the region [ɪn ðə ˈkaʊnti]). Indeed(In fact [ˌɪnˈdid]) he and his fellow-visitors(He and the other people who visited [hi ənd hɪz fellow-visitors]) today(On this day [təˈdeɪ]) had observed(Had noticed [hæd əbˈzərvd]) many features(A lot of things [ˈmɛni ˈfiʧərz]) which they intended(That they planned [wɪʧ ðeɪ ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd]) to introduce(To implement [tɪ ˌɪntrəˈdus]) on their own farms(On their own agricultural lands [ɔn ðɛr oʊn fɑrmz]) immediately(Right away [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]).