behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look and see what
was on the top of it.
She stretched herself up on tiptoe, and peeped over the edge of the
mushroom, and her eyes immediately met those of a large blue
caterpillar, that was sitting on the top with its arms folded, quietly
smoking a long hookah, and taking not the smallest notice of her or of
anything else.
CHAPTER V.
Advice from a Caterpillar
The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in
silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and
addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
Who are _you?_ said the Caterpillar.
This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied,
rather shyly, I I hardly know, sir, just at present at least I know
who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been
changed several times since then.
What do you mean by that? said the Caterpillar sternly. Explain
yourself!
I can t explain _myself_, I m afraid, sir, said Alice, because I m
not myself, you see.
I don t see, said the Caterpillar.
I m afraid I can t put it more clearly, Alice replied very politely,
for I can t understand it myself to begin with; and being so many
different sizes in a day is very confusing.
It isn t, said the Caterpillar.
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