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Then she asked all the children had any of them eaten it—by mistake, of course—but the children all said no and looked as if they did not like to eat cakes if they were to be accused of stealing.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Anonymous What does this mean?

The excerpt includes no idioms. Which words do you not understand?

Anonymous · Answer

Does it mean they looked like they would not eat cakes if they were accused of stealing it?

Anon203c8 · Answer

@Mister Micawber: I have a question about the sentence below. Should I ask it here or compose a new thread please?
>> Which words do you not understand?

Mr. Tom · Answer

AnonymousThen she asked all the children had any of them eaten it—by mistake, of course—but the children all said no and looked as if they did not like to eat cakes if they were to be accused of stealing.

While MM is on his way to this post to answer your question, I would like to give my two-penny half-penny input.

She asked all the children if any of them had eaten...

Also, you can rephrase your last sentence and decide to keep one "as if".

Tom

Anonymous · Answer

Ah no. I just didn't understand the sentence in bold.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Franky12@Mister Micawber: I have a question about the sentence below. Should I ask it here or compose a new thread please?>> Which words do you not understand?

Ask it here, Frank.

Anon203c8 · Answer

Thank you Mister.

Now my question; you said "Which words do you not understand?". What is the difference between this and the one I say please? Which words don't you understand?

I think at the one you said, the question conveys a tone of oddness (wander). That is, Which words do you not understand!? (they are clear so why don't you understand them?). But at the one I said, the form is a normal standard question.
Do you agree?

Mister Micawber · Answer

Franky12 you said "Which words do you not understand?". What is the difference between this and the one I say please? Which words don't you understand?

None; I simply prefer not to contract.

Franky12Do you agree?

No, not really; I think you are trying to be too specific. I consider myself normal and standard, but I have given my reason for my choice. Your version is the usual spoken one, I suppose.

Anon203c8 · Answer

What do you mean by this please? I cannot get it completely!
>> I simply prefer not to contract.

Mister Micawber · Answer

A contraction is a shortening of a word when written:

do not => don't

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