thought this wouldn t be quite a civil question to ask.
What, then you don t the little voice began, when it was drowned by
a shrill scream from the engine, and everybody jumped up in alarm,
Alice among the rest.
The Horse, who had put his head out of the window, quietly drew it in
and said, It s only a brook we have to jump over. Everybody seemed
satisfied with this, though Alice felt a little nervous at the idea of
trains jumping at all. However, it ll take us into the Fourth Square,
that s some comfort! she said to herself. In another moment she felt
the carriage rise straight up into the air, and in her fright she
caught at the thing nearest to her hand, which happened to be the
Goat s beard.
* * * * * * *
* * * * * *
* * * * * * *
But the beard seemed to melt away as she touched it, and she found
herself sitting quietly under a tree while the Gnat (for that was the
insect she had been talking to) was balancing itself on a twig just
over her head, and fanning her with its wings.
It certainly was a _very_ large Gnat: about the size of a chicken,
Alice thought. Still, she couldn t feel nervous with it, after they had
been talking together so long.
then you don t like all insects? the Gnat went on, as quietly as if
nothing had happened.
I like them when they can talk, Alice said. None of them ever talk,
where _I_ come from.
What sort of insects do you rejoice in, where _you_ come from? the
Gnat inquired.
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