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A MAD TEA-PARTY, 105
“Suppose we change the subject,” the March
Hare interrupted, yawning. “Im getting tired
of this. I vote the young lady tells us a story.”
“17m afraid I dont know one,” said Alice,
rather alarmed at the proposal.
“Then the Dormouse shall!” they both cried.
“Wake up, Dormouse!” And they pinched it on
both sides at once.
The Dormouse slowly opened his eyes. “I
wasnt asleep,” he said in a hoarse, feeble voice:
“| heard every word you fellows were saying.”
“Tell us a story!” said the March Hare.
“Yes, please do!” pleaded Alice.
“And be quick about it,’ added the Hatter,
“or you'll be asleep: again before it’s done."
“Once upon a time there were three little
sisters,’ the Dormouse began in a great hurry;
“and their names were Elsie, Lacie, and Tillie;
and they lived at the bottom of a well 4
“What did they live on?” said Alice, who
always took a great interest m questions of
eating and drinking.