`` What , have you been naughty , and have they put you in the lock - up ? '' asked Tom . The lobster felt a little indignant at such a notion , but he was too much depressed in spirits to argue ; so he only said , `` I ca n't get out . '' `` Why did you get in ? '' `` After that nasty piece of dead fish . '' He had thought it looked and smelt very nice when he was outside , and so it did , for a lobster : but now he turned round and abused it because he was angry with himself . `` Where did you get in ? '' `` Through that round hole at the top . '' `` Then why do n't you get out through it ? '' `` Because I ca n't : '' and the lobster twiddled his horns more fiercely than ever , but he was forced to confess . `` I have jumped upwards , downwards , backwards , and sideways , at least four thousand times ; and I ca n't get out : I always get up underneath there , and ca n't find the hole . '' Tom looked at the trap , and having more wit than the lobster , he saw plainly enough what was the matter ; as you may if you will look at a lobster-pot . `` Stop a bit , '' said Tom . `` Turn your tail up to me , and I 'll pull you through hindforemost , and then you wo n't stick in the spikes . '' But the lobster was so stupid and clumsy that he could n't hit the hole . Like a great many fox-hunters , he was very sharp as long as he was in his own country ; but as soon as they get out of it they lose their heads ; and so the lobster , so to speak , lost his tail . Tom reached and clawed down the hole after him , till he caught hold of him ; and then , as was to be expected , the clumsy lobster pulled him in head foremost . `` Hullo ! here is a pretty business , '' said Tom . `` Now take your great claws , and break the points off those spikes , and then we shall both get out easily . ''
`` Dear me , I never thought of that , '' said the lobster ; `` and XXXXX all the experience of life that I have had ! ''
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