Alice said nothing; she had sat down with her face in her hands,
wondering if anything would ever happen in a natural way again. 🔊
‘I should like to have it explained,’ said the Mock Turtle. 🔊
‘She can’t explain it,’ said the Gryphon hastily. ‘Go on with the next
verse.’ 🔊
‘But about his toes?’ the Mock Turtle persisted. ‘How could he turn them
out with his nose, you know?’ 🔊
‘It’s the first position in dancing.’ Alice said; but was dreadfully
puzzled by the whole thing, and longed to change the subject. 🔊
‘Go on with the next verse,’ the Gryphon repeated impatiently: ‘it
begins “I passed by his garden.”’ 🔊
Alice did not dare to disobey, though she felt sure it would all come
wrong, and she went on in a trembling voice:-- 🔊
‘I passed by his garden, and marked, with one eye,
How the Owl and the Panther were sharing a pie--’ 🔊
The Panther took pie-crust, and gravy, and meat,
While the Owl had the dish as its share of the treat. 🔊
When the pie was all finished, the Owl, as a boon,
Was kindly permitted to pocket the spoon: 🔊