Ah, what _is_ it, now? the Unicorn cried eagerly. You ll never
guess! _I_ couldn t.
The Lion looked at Alice wearily. Are you animal vegetable or
mineral? he said, yawning at every other word.
It s a fabulous monster! the Unicorn cried out, before Alice could
reply.
Then hand round the plum-cake, Monster, the Lion said, lying down and
putting his chin on his paws. And sit down, both of you, (to the King
and the Unicorn): fair play with the cake, you know!
The King was evidently very uncomfortable at having to sit down between
the two great creatures; but there was no other place for him.
What a fight we might have for the crown, _now_! the Unicorn said,
looking slyly up at the crown, which the poor King was nearly shaking
off his head, he trembled so much.
I should win easy, said the Lion.
I m not so sure of that, said the Unicorn.
Why, I beat you all round the town, you chicken! the Lion replied
angrily, half getting up as he spoke.
Here the King interrupted, to prevent the quarrel going on: he was very
nervous, and his voice quite quivered. All round the town? he said.
That s a good long way. Did you go by the old bridge, or the
market-place? You get the best view by the old bridge.
I m sure I don t know, the Lion growled out as he lay down again.
There was too much dust to see anything. What a time the Monster is,
cutting up that cake!
Alice had seated herself on the bank of a little brook, with the great
dish on her knees, and was sawing away diligently with the knife. It s
very provoking! she said, in reply to the Lion (she was getting quite
71