This was a puzzler. After a pause, Alice began, Well! They were _both_
very unpleasant characters Here she checked herself in some alarm, at
hearing something that sounded to her like the puffing of a large
steam-engine in the wood near them, though she feared it was more
likely to be a wild beast. Are there any lions or tigers about here?
she asked timidly.
It s only the Red King snoring, said Tweedledee.
Come and look at him! the brothers cried, and they each took one of
Alice s hands, and led her up to where the King was sleeping.
Isn t he a _lovely_ sight? said Tweedledum.
Alice couldn t say honestly that he was. He had a tall red night-cap
on, with a tassel, and he was lying crumpled up into a sort of untidy
heap, and snoring loud fit to snore his head off! as Tweedledum
remarked.
I m afraid he ll catch cold with lying on the damp grass, said Alice,
who was a very thoughtful little girl.
He s dreaming now, said Tweedledee: and what do you think he s
dreaming about?
Alice said Nobody can guess that.
Why, about _you_! Tweedledee exclaimed, clapping his hands
triumphantly. And if he left off dreaming about you, where do you
suppose you d be?
Where I am now, of course, said Alice.
Not you! Tweedledee retorted contemptuously. You d be nowhere. Why,
you re only a sort of thing in his dream!
If that there King was to wake, added Tweedledum, you d go
out bang! just like a candle!
I shouldn t! Alice exclaimed indignantly. Besides, if _I m_ only a
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