The first question of course was , how to get dry : they had a consultation about this , and Alice hardly felt at all surprised at finding herself talking familiarly with the birds , as if she had known them all her life . Indeed , she had quite a long argument with the Lory , who at last turned sulky , and would only say `` I am older than you , and must know best , '' and this Alice would not admit without knowing how old the Lory was , and as the Lory positively refused to tell its age , there was nothing more to be said . At last the mouse , who seemed to have some authority among them , called out `` sit down , all of you , and attend to me ! I 'll soon make you dry enough ! '' They all sat down at once , shivering , in a large ring , Alice in the middle , with her eyes anxiously fixed on the mouse , for she felt sure she would catch a bad cold if she did not get dry very soon . `` Ahem ! '' said the mouse , with a self-important air , `` are you all ready ? This is the driest thing I know . Silence all round , if you please ! `` William the Conqueror , whose cause was favoured by the pope , was soon submitted to by the English , who wanted leaders , and had been of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest . Edwin and Morcar , the earls of Mercia and Northumbria -- '' `` Ugh ! '' said the Lory with a shiver . `` I beg your pardon ? '' said the mouse , frowning , but very politely , `` did you speak ? '' `` Not I ! '' said the Lory hastily . `` I thought you did , '' said the mouse , `` I proceed . Edwin and Morcar , the earls of Mercia and Northumbria , declared for him ; and even Stigand , the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury , found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown . William 's conduct was at first moderate -- how are you getting on now , dear ? '' said the mouse , turning to Alice as it spoke .
`` As wet as ever , '' said poor XXXXX , `` it does n't seem to dry me at all . ''
Alice Canterbury Conqueror Edwin English Lory Mercia Morcar Stigand usurpation