Stranica 54 [54]
33 A CAUCUS-RACE
“You are not attending!” said the Mouse
to Alice, severely. ‘‘ What are you thinking of ?”
“T beg your pardon,” said Alice very humbly :
“you had got to the fifth bend, J think ?”
“T had not!” eried the Mouse, sharply and
very angrily.
“A knot!” said Alice, always ready to make
herself useful, and looking anxiously about her.
‘Oh, do let me help to undo it!”
“T shall do nothing of the sort,” said the
Mouse, getting up and walking away. “You
insult me by talking such nonsense !”
“JT didnt mean it!” pleaded poor Alice.
“But youre so easily offended, you know!”
Ihe Mouse only growled in reply.
‘Please come back, and finish your story!”
Alice called after it; and the others all joined
in chorus, “ Yes, please do!” but the Mouse
only shook its head impatiently, and walked a
little quicker.
“What a pity it wouldn't stay!” sighed
the Lory, as soon as it was quite out of sight;