Alice in Wonderland (51)

Alice in Wonderland (51)

(10) The Lobster Quadrille

THE Mock Turtle sighed deeply, and drew the back of one flapper across his eyes.

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

" Same as if he had a bone in his throat, " said the Gryphon　and it set to work shaking him and punching him in the back.
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Same as if he had a bone in his throat のどに骨がつかえたときとおんなじさ。

At last Mock Turtle recovered his voice, he went on again with tears running down his cheeks.
" You may not have lived much under the sea, and perhaps you were never introduced to a lobster. "

Alice began to say " I once tastedー" but checked herself hastily, and said
"No never ! "

" You have no idea what a delightful thing a Lobster Quadrille is ! "

" No indeed, " said Alice.
" What sort of a dance is it ? "

" why, " said the Gryphon, " you first form into a line along the sea-shore. "

" Two lines ! "cried the Mock Turtle.
" Seals, turtles, salmon, and so on. Then, when you're cleared all the jelly-fish out of the wayー"

" Each with a lobster as a partner ! " said the Gryphon.

" Of course, " the mock Turtle said, " advance twice, set to partnersー"

"ーchange lobsters, and retire in same order, " cotinued the gryphon.

The Mock Turtle went on, " then, you know, you throw theー"

" The lobsters ! " shouted the Gryphon with a bound into the air.

 

" It must be a very pretty dance ! " said Alice timidly.

" Would you like to see it ? " said the Mock Turtle.

" Very much indeed. Show me, " said Alice.

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