I did n't say there was nothing BETTER , ' the King replied . ' I said there was nothing LIKE it . ' Which Alice did not venture to deny . ` Who did you pass on the road ? ' the King went on , holding out his hand to the Messenger for some more hay . ` Nobody , ' said the Messenger . ` Quite right , ' said the King : ` this young lady saw him too . So of course Nobody walks slower than you . ' ' I do my best , ' the Messenger said in a sulky tone . ` I 'm sure nobody walks much faster than I do ! ' ` He ca n't do that , ' said the King , ` or else he 'd have been here first . However , now you 've got your breath , you may tell us what 's happened in the town . ' ` I 'll whisper it , ' said the Messenger , putting his hands to his mouth in the shape of a trumpet , and stooping so as to get close to the King 's ear . Alice was sorry for this , as she wanted to hear the news too . However , instead of whispering , he simply shouted at the top of his voice ` They 're at it again ! ' ` Do you call THAT a whisper ? ' cried the poor King , jumping up and shaking himself . ` If you do such a thing again , I 'll have you buttered ! It went through and through my head like an earthquake ! ' ` It would have to be a very tiny earthquake ! '
thought XXXXX .
Alice King Messenger Nobody earthquake first hay right top trumpet