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 Alice , `` it does n't seem to dry me at all . '' `` In that case , '' said the Dodo solemnly , rising to his feet , `` I move that the meeting adjourn , for the immediate adoption of more energetic remedies -- '' `` Speak English ! '' said the Duck , `` I do n't know the meaning of half those long words , and what 's more , I do n't believe you do either ! '' And the Duck quacked a comfortable laugh to itself . Some of the other birds tittered audibly . `` I only meant to say , '' said the Dodo in a rather offended tone , `` that I know of a house near here , where we could get the young lady and the rest of the party dried , and then we could listen comfortably to the story which I think you were good enough to promise to tell us , '' bowing gravely to the mouse .
The mouse made no objection to this , and the whole party moved along the river bank , -LRB- for the pool had by this time began to flow out of the hall , and the edge of it was fringed with rushes and forget-me-nots , -RRB- in a slow procession , the XXXXX leading the way .
Alice Dodo Duck Edwin English Lory Northumbria Stigand William usurpation