Page:Through the looking-glass and what Alice found there (IA throughlookinggl00carr4).pdf/244

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"In hopes some bees may make a nest in it, then I should get the honey."

"But you've got a bee-hive—or some-*thing like one—fastened to the saddle," said Alice.

"Yes, it's a very good bee-hive," the Knight said, in a discontented tone; "one of the best kind. But not a single bee has come near it yet. And the other thing is a mouse-trap. I suppose the mice keep the bees out—or the bees keep the mice out, I don't know which."

"I was wondering what the mouse-trap was for," said Alice. "It isn't very likely there would be any mice on the horse's back."

"Not very likely, perhaps," said the Knight; "but, if they do come, I don't choose to have them running all about."

"You see," he went on, after a pause, "it's as well to be provided for every-*thing. That's the reason the horse has all those anklets round his feet."