A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale

Mouse:

You are not attending!

said the Mouse to Alice severely.

What are you thinking of?

Alice:

I beg your pardon,

said Alice very humbly:

you had got to the fifth bend, I think?

Mouse:

I had not!

cried the Mouse, sharply and very angrily.

Alice:

A knot!

said Alice, always ready to make herself useful, and looking anxiously about her.

Oh, do let me help to undo it!

Mouse:

I shall do nothing of the sort,

said the Mouse, getting up and walking away.

You insult me by talking such nonsense!

Alice:

I didn’t mean it!

pleaded poor Alice.

But you’re so easily offended, you know!

The Mouse only growled in reply.

Alice:

Please come back and finish your story!

Alice called after it;

and the others all joined in chorus,

but the Mouse only shook its head impatiently, and walked a little quicker.