I like the Walrus best , ' said Alice : ` because you see he was a LITTLE sorry for the poor oysters . ' ` He ate more than the Carpenter , though , ' said Tweedledee . ` You see he held his handkerchief in front , so that the Carpenter could n't count how many he took : contrariwise . ' ` That was mean ! ' Alice said indignantly . ` Then I like the Carpenter best -- if he did n't eat so many as the Walrus . ' ` 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 XXXXX , who was a very thoughtful little girl .
Alice Carpenter King Tweedledee Tweedledum Walrus contrariwise night-cap steam-engine tassel