his head exactly in the path where Alice was walking. She was quite
frightened this time, and said in an anxious tone, as she picked him
up, I hope no bones are broken?
None to speak of, the Knight said, as if he didn t mind breaking two
or three of them. The great art of riding, as I was saying, is to keep
your balance properly. Like this, you know
He let go the bridle, and stretched out both his arms to show Alice
what he meant, and this time he fell flat on his back, right under the
horse s feet.
Plenty of practice! he went on repeating, all the time that Alice was
getting him on his feet again. Plenty of practice!
It s too ridiculous! cried Alice, losing all her patience this time.
You ought to have a wooden horse on wheels, that you ought!
Does that kind go smoothly? the Knight asked in a tone of great
interest, clasping his arms round the horse s neck as he spoke, just in
time to save himself from tumbling off again.
Much more smoothly than a live horse, Alice said, with a little
scream of laughter, in spite of all she could do to prevent it.
I ll get one, the Knight said thoughtfully to himself. One or
two several.
There was a short silence after this, and then the Knight went on
again. I m a great hand at inventing things. Now, I daresay you
noticed, that last time you picked me up, that I was looking rather
thoughtful?
You _were_ a little grave, said Alice.
Well, just then I was inventing a new way of getting over a gate would
you like to hear it?
Very much indeed, Alice said politely.
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