pleaded poor Alice , `` but you 're so easily offended , you know . '' The mouse only growled in reply . `` Please come back and finish your story ! '' Alice called after it , and the others all joined in chorus `` yes , please do ! '' but the mouse only shook its ears , and walked quickly away , and was soon out of sight . `` What a pity it would n't stay ! '' sighed the Lory , and an old Crab took the opportunity of saying to its daughter `` Ah , my dear ! let this be a lesson to you never to lose your temper ! '' `` Hold your tongue , Ma ! '' said the young Crab , a little snappishly , `` you 're enough to try the patience of an oyster ! '' `` I wish I had our Dinah here , I know I do ! '' said Alice aloud , addressing no one in particular , `` she 'd soon fetch it back ! '' `` And who is Dinah , if I might venture to ask the question ? '' said the Lory . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- Alice replied eagerly , for she was always ready to talk about her pet , `` Dinah 's our cat . And she 's such a capital one for catching mice , you ca n't think ! And oh ! I wish you could see her after the birds ! Why , she 'll eat a little bird as soon as look at it ! '' This answer caused a remarkable sensation among the party : some of the birds hurried off at once ; one old magpie began wrapping itself up very carefully , remarking `` I really must be getting home : the night air does not suit my throat , '' and a canary called out in a trembling voice to its children `` come away from her , my dears , she 's no fit company for you ! ''
On various pretexts , they all moved off , and XXXXX was soon left alone .
Alice Crab Dinah Lory dears lesson mouse night one sight