` But he ate as many as he could get , ' said Tweedledum . This was a puzzler . After a pause , Alice began , ` Well ! They were BOTH very unpleasant characters -- ' Here she checked herself in some alarm , at hearing something that sounded to her like the puffing of a large steam-engine in the wood near them , though she feared it was more likely to be a wild beast . ` Are there any lions or tigers about here ? ' she asked timidly . ` It 's only the Red King snoring , ' said Tweedledee . ` Come and look at him ! ' the brothers cried , and they each took one of Alice 's hands , and led her up to where the King was sleeping . ` Is n't he a LOVELY sight ? ' said Tweedledum . Alice could n't say honestly that he was . He had a tall red night-cap on , with a tassel , and he was lying crumpled up into a sort of untidy heap , and snoring loud -- ` fit to snore his head off ! ' as Tweedledum remarked . ` I 'm afraid he 'll catch cold with lying on the damp grass , ' said Alice , who was a very thoughtful little girl . ` He 's dreaming now , ' said Tweedledee : ` and what do you think he 's dreaming about ? ' Alice said ` Nobody can guess that . ' ` Why , about YOU ! ' Tweedledee exclaimed , clapping his hands triumphantly . ` And if he left off dreaming about you , where do you suppose you 'd be ? '
` Where I am now , of course , ' said XXXXX .
Alice King Tweedledee Tweedledum alarm left night-cap sort steam-engine tassel