wonderland_ch_10 (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

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05Barnett Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Chapter 10 The Lobster Quadrille The mock turtle sighed deeply and drew the back of one flapper across his eyes.

06He looked at Alice and tried to speak, but for a minute or two sobs choked his voice.

07Same as if he had a bone in his throat, said the griffin, and it set to work shaking him and punching him in the back.

08At last the mock turtle recovered his voice, and, with tears running down his cheeks, he went on again.

09You may not have lived much under the sea.

10I haven't, said Alice.

11And perhaps you were never even introduced to a lobster.

12Alice began to say, I once tasted, but checked herself hastily and said, No, never.

13So you can have no idea what a delightful thing a lobster quadrille is.

14No, indeed, said Alice.

15What sort of a dance is it?

16Why, said the griffin, you first form into a line along the seashore.

17Two lines, cried the mock turtle.

18Seals, turtles, salmon, and so on.

19Then, when you've cleared all the jellyfish out of the way...

20That generally takes some time, interrupted the griffin.

21You advance twice.

22Each with a lobster as a partner, cried the griffin.

23Of course, the mock turtle said.

24Advance twice.

25Set to partners.

26Change lobsters and retire in the same order.

27Under, continued the griffin.

28Then, you know, the mock turtle went on, You throw the...

29The lobsters, shouted the griffin, With a bound into the air.

30As far out to sea as you can.

31Swim after them, screamed the griffin.

32Turn a somersault in the sea, cried the mock turtle, Capering wildly about.

33Change lobsters again, yelled the griffin at the top of his voice.

34Back to land again.

35And that's all the first figure, said the mock turtle, suddenly dropping his voice.

36And the two creatures, who had been jumping about like mad things all this time, Sat down again, sat down again very sadly and quietly, and looked at Alice.

37It must be a very pretty dance, said Alice timidly.

38Would you like to see a little of it?

39said the mock turtle.

40Very much indeed, said Alice.

41Come, let's try the first figure, said the mock turtle to the griffin.

42We can do without lobsters, you know.

43Which shall sing?

44Oh, you sing, said the griffin.

45I've forgotten the words.

46So they began solemnly dancing around and round Alice, Every now and then treading on her toes when they passed too close, And waving their forepaws to mark the time, While the mock turtle sang this very slowly and sadly.

47Will you walk a little faster?

48said a whiting to a snail.

49There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.

50See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance?

51They are waiting on the shingle.

52Will you come and join the dance?

53Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?

54Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?

55You can really have no notion how delightful it will be When they take us up and throw us with the lobsters out to sea.

56But the snail replied, too far, too far, and gave a look askance.

57Said he thanked the whiting kindly, But he would not join the dance.

58Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance.

59Would not, could not, would not, could not join the dance.

60What matters it how far we go?

61His scaly friend replied, There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.

62The further off from England, the nearer is to France.

63Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.

64Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?

65Will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?

66Thank you.

67It's a very interesting dance to watch, said Alice, Feeling very glad that it was over at last.

68And I do so like that curious song about the whiting.

69Oh, as to the whiting, said the mock turtle, They, you've seen them, of course.

70Yes, said Alice, I've often seen them at Din.

71She checked herself hastily.

72I don't know where Din may be, said the mock turtle, But if you've seen them so often, Of course you know what they're like.

73I believe so, Alice replied thoughtfully.

74They have their tails in their mouths, And they're all over crumbs.

75You're wrong about the crumbs, said the mock turtle.

76Crumbs would all wash off in the sea.

77But they have their tails in their mouths, And the reason is, Here the mock turtle yawned and shut his eyes.

78Tell her about the reason and all that, He said to the griffin.

79The reason is, said the griffin, That they would go with the lobsters to the dance.

80So they got thrown out to sea.

81So they had to fall a long way.

82So they got their tails fast in their mouths.

83So they couldn't get them out again.

84That's all.

85Thank you, said Alice.

86It's very interesting.

87I never knew so much about a whiting before.

88I can tell you more than that, If you like, said the griffin.

89Do you know why it's called a whiting?

90I never thought about it, said Alice.

91Why?

92It does the boots and shoes, The griffin replied very solemnly.

93Alice was thoroughly puzzled.

94Does the boots and shoes, She repeated in a wondering tone.

95Why, what are your shoes done with, Said the griffin.

96I mean, what makes them so shiny?

97Alice looked down at them, And considered a little, Before she gave her answer.

98They're done with blacking, I believe.

99Boots and shoes under the sea, The griffin went on in a deep voice, Are done with whiting.

100Now you know.

101And what are they made of?

102Alice asked in a tone of great curiosity.

103Souls and eels, of course, The griffin replied rather impatiently.

104Any shrimp could have told you that.

105If I'd been the whiting, Said Alice, Whose thoughts were still running on the song, I'd have said to the porpoise, Keep back, please.

106We don't want you with us.

107They were obliged to have him with them, The mock turtle said.

108No wise fish would go anywhere without a porpoise.

109Wouldn't it really, Said Alice in a tone of great surprise.

110Of course not, Said the mock turtle.

111Why, If a fish came to me, And told me he was going on a journey, I would say, With what purpose?

112Don't you mean purpose?

113Said Alice.

114I mean what I say, The mock turtle replied in an offended tone.

115And the griffin added, Come, Let's hear some of your adventures.

116I could tell you my adventures beginning from this morning, Said Alice a little timidly.

117But it's no use going back to yesterday, Because I was a different person then.

118Explain all that, Said the mock turtle.

119No, No, The adventures first, Said the griffin in an impatient tone.

120Explanations take such a dreadful time.

121So, Alice began telling them her adventures, From the time when she first saw the white rabbit.

122She was a little nervous about it just at first.

123The two creatures got so close to her, One on each side, And opened their eyes and mouths, So very wide.

124But she gained courage as she went on.

125Her listeners were perfectly quiet, Till she got to the part about her repeating, You are old, Father William, To the caterpillar, And the words all coming different.

126And then the mock turtle drew a long breath, And said, That's very curious.

127It's all about as curious as it can be, Said the griffin.

128It all came different, The mock turtle repeated thoughtfully.

129I should like to hear her try, And repeat something now.

130Tell her to begin.

131He looked at the griffin, As if he thought it had some kind of authority over Alice.

132Stand up and repeat.

133Tis the voice of the sluggard, Said the griffin.

134How the creatures order one about, And make one repeat lessons, Thought Alice.

135I might as well be at school at once.

136However, She got up, And began to repeat it.

137But her head was so full of the lobster quadrille, That she hardly knew what she was saying.

138And the words came very queer indeed.

139Tis the voice of the lobster, I heard him declare.

140You have baked me to brown.

141I must sugar my hair.

142As a duck with its eyelids, So he, with his nose, Trims his belt and his buttons, And turns out his toes.

143When the sands are all dry, He is gay as a lark, And will talk in contemptuous tones Of the shark.

144But when the tide rises, And sharks are around, His voice has a timid, And tremulous sound.

145That's different from what I used to say When I was a child, Said the griffin.

146Well, I never heard it before, Said the mock turtle, But it sounds uncommon nonsense.

147Alice said nothing.

148She had sat down with her face in her hands, Wondering if anything would ever happen In a natural way again.

149I should like to have it explained, Said the mock turtle.

150She can't explain it, Said the griffin hastily.

151Go on with the next verse.

152But about his toes, The mock turtle persisted.

153How could he turn them out With his nose, you know?

154It's the first position in dancing, Alice said, But was dreadfully puzzled By the whole thing, And longed to change the subject.

155Go on with the next verse, The griffin repeated impatiently.

156It begins, I passed by his garden.

157Alice did not dare to disobey.

158Though she felt sure It would all come wrong, And she went on In a trembling voice.

159I passed by his garden And marked with one eye How the owl and the panther Were sharing pie.

160The panther took pie crust And gravy and meat, While the owl had the dish As its share of the treat.

161When the pie was all finished, The owl, as a boon, Was kindly permitted To pocket the spoon.

162While the panther received Knife and fork with a growl And concluded the banquet.

163What is the use of repeating All that stuff?

164The mock turtle interrupted.

165If you don't explain it As you go on.

166It's by far The most confusing thing I ever heard.

167Yes, I think you'd better Leave off, Said the griffon, And Alice was only Too glad To do so.

168Shall we try another figure Of the lobster quadrille?

169The griffon went on.

170Or would you like The mock turtle To sing you a song?

171Oh, a song, please, If the mock turtle Would be so kind, Alice replied, So eagerly That the griffon said In a rather offended tone, Hmm, No accounting for tastes.

172Sing her turtle soup, Will you, old fellow?

173The mock turtle sighed deeply And began, In a voice sometimes Choked with sobs, To sing this, Beautiful soup, So rich and green, Waiting in a hot tureen, Who for such dainties Would not stoop, Soup of the evening, Beautiful soup, Soup of the evening, Beautiful soup, Beautiful soup, Beautiful soup, Soup of the evening, Beautiful soup, Beautiful soup, Soup of the evening, Beautiful soup, Soup of the evening, Who cares for fish, Who cares for fish, Game, or any other dish, Who would not give all else for two, Who would not give all else for two, Penny worth only of beautiful soup, Penny worth only of beautiful soup, Soup of the evening, Beautiful soup, Beautiful soup, Beautiful soup, Soup of the evening, Beautiful soup, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, Soup of the evening, The end of chapter 10.