-LRB- And , as you might like to try the thing yourself , some winter day , I will tell you how the Dodo managed it . -RRB- First it marked out a race-course , in a sort of circle , -LRB- ` the exact shape does n't matter , ' it said , -RRB- and then all the party were placed along the course , here and there . There was no ` One , two , three , and away , ' but they began running when they liked , and left off when they liked , so that it was not easy to know when the race was over . However , when they had been running half an hour or so , and were quite dry again , the Dodo suddenly called out ` The race is over ! ' and they all crowded round it , panting , and asking , ` But who has won ? ' This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of thought , and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon its forehead -LRB- the position in which you usually see Shakespeare , in the pictures of him -RRB- , while the rest waited in silence . At last the Dodo said , ` EVERYBODY has won , and all must have prizes . ' ` But who is to give the prizes ? ' quite a chorus of voices asked . ` 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 XXXXX laugh ; and , as she could not think of anything to say , she simply bowed , and took the thimble , looking as solemn as she could .
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