Page:Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.djvu/137

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HUMPTY DUMPTY.
117

promised me——ah, you may turn pale, if you like! You didn't think I was going to say that, did you? The King has promised me——with his very own mouth——to——to——"

"To send all his horses and all his men," Alice interrupted, rather unwisely.

"Now I declare that's too bad!" Humpty Dumpty cried, breaking into a sudden passion. "You've been listening at doors——and behind trees——and down chimneys——or you couldn't have known it!"

"I haven't, indeed!" Alice said very gently. "It's in a book."

"Ah, well! They may write such things in a book," Humpty Dumpty said in a calmer tone. "That's what you call a History of England, that is. Now, take a good look at me! I'm one that has spoken to a King, I am: mayhap you'll never see such another: and to show you I'm not proud, you may shake hands with me!" And he grinned almost from ear to ear, as he leant forwards (and as nearly as possible