‘You are old,’ said the youth, ‘and your jaws are too weak
For anything tougher than suet; 🔊
Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak--
Pray how did you manage to do it?’ 🔊
‘In my youth,’ said his father, ‘I took to the law,
And argued each case with my wife; 🔊
And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw,
Has lasted the rest of my life.’ 🔊
‘You are old,’ said the youth, ‘one would hardly suppose
That your eye was as steady as ever; 🔊
Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose--
What made you so awfully clever?’ 🔊
‘I have answered three questions, and that is enough,’
Said his father; ‘don’t give yourself airs! 🔊
Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff?
Be off, or I’ll kick you down stairs!’ 🔊
‘That is not said right,’ said the Caterpillar. 🔊
‘Not quite right, I’m afraid,’ said Alice, timidly; ‘some of the words