I dare say you never even spoke to Time ! ' ` Perhaps not , ' Alice cautiously replied : ` but I know I have to beat time when I learn music . ' ` Ah ! that accounts for it , ' said the Hatter . ` He wo n't stand beating . Now , if you only kept on good terms with him , he 'd do almost anything you liked with the clock . For instance , suppose it were nine o'clock in the morning , just time to begin lessons : you 'd only have to whisper a hint to Time , and round goes the clock in a twinkling ! Half-past one , time for dinner ! ' -LRB- ' I only wish it was , ' the March Hare said to itself in a whisper . -RRB- ` That would be grand , certainly , ' said Alice thoughtfully : ` but then -- I should n't be hungry for it , you know . ' ` Not at first , perhaps , ' said the Hatter : ` but you could keep it to half-past one as long as you liked . ' ` Is that the way YOU manage ? ' Alice asked . The Hatter shook his head mournfully . ` Not I ! ' he replied . ` We quarrelled last March -- just before HE went mad , you know -- ' -LRB- pointing with his tea spoon at the March Hare , -RRB- ' -- it was at the great concert given by the Queen of Hearts , and I had to sing `` Twinkle , twinkle , little bat ! How I wonder what you 're at ! '' You know the song , perhaps ? ' ` I 've heard something like it , ' said Alice .
` It goes on , you know , ' the Hatter continued , ` XXXXX this way : -- `` Up above the world you fly , Like a tea-tray in the sky .
For at before by if in like on that with