` Why , SHE , of course , ' said the Dodo , pointing to Alice with one finger ; and the whole party at once crowded round her , calling out in a confused way , ` Prizes ! Prizes ! ' Alice had no idea what to do , and in despair she put her hand in her pocket , and pulled out a box of comfits , -LRB- luckily the salt water had not got into it -RRB- , and handed them round as prizes . There was exactly one a-piece all round . ` But she must have a prize herself , you know , ' said the Mouse . ` Of course , ' the Dodo replied very gravely . ` What else have you got in your pocket ? ' he went on , turning to Alice . ` Only a thimble , ' said Alice sadly . ` Hand it over here , ' said the Dodo . Then they all crowded round her once more , while the Dodo solemnly presented the thimble , saying ` We beg your acceptance of this elegant thimble ' ; and , when it had finished this short speech , they all cheered . Alice thought the whole thing very absurd , but they all looked so grave that she did not dare to laugh ; and , as she could not think of anything to say , she simply bowed , and took the thimble , looking as solemn as she could . The next thing was to eat the comfits : this caused some noise and confusion , as the large birds complained that they could not taste theirs , and the small ones choked and had to be patted on the back . However , it was over at last , and they sat down again in a ring , and begged the Mouse to tell them something more . ` You promised to tell me your history , you know , ' said Alice , ` and why it is you hate -- C and D , ' she added in a whisper , half afraid that it would be offended again . ` Mine is a long and a sad tale ! ' said the Mouse , turning to Alice , and sighing . ` It IS a long tail , certainly , ' said Alice , looking down with wonder at the Mouse 's tail ; ` but why do you call it sad ? ' And she kept on puzzling about it while the Mouse was speaking , so that her idea of the tale was something like this : -- ` Fury said to a mouse , That he met in the house , `` Let us both go to law : I will prosecute YOU . -- Come , I 'll take no denial ; We must have a trial : For really this morning I 've nothing to do . ''
Said the mouse XXXXX the cur , `` Such a trial , dear Sir , With no jury or judge , would be wasting our breath . ''
For about as at in on over that to while