Why, if ever I did fall off—which there's no chance of—but if I did—" Here he pursed up his lips, and looked so solemn and grand that Alice could hardly help laughing. "If I did fall," he went on, "the King has promised me—ah, you may turn pale, if you like! You didn't think I was going to say that, did you? The King has promised me—with his very own mouth—to—to—"
"To send all his horses and all his men," Alice interrupted, rather unwisely.
"Now I declare that's too bad!" Humpty Dumpty cried, breaking into a sudden passion. "You've been listening at doors—and behind trees—and down chimneys—or you couldn't have known it!"
"I haven't, indeed!" Alice said, very gently. "It's in a book."
"Ah, well! They may write such things in a book," Humpty Dumpty said, in a calmer tone. "That's what
