Алиса в зазеркалье
Looking-Glass Insects
‘Lookonthebranchaboveyourhead,’saidtheGnat,‘andthereyou’llfindasnap-dragon-fly.Itsbodyismadeofplum-pudding,itswingsofholly-leaves,anditsheadisaraisinburninginbrandy.’
‘Andwhatdoesitliveon?’
‘Frumentyandmincepie,’theGnatreplied;‘anditmakesitsnestinaChristmasbox.’
‘Andthenthere’stheButterfly,’Alicewenton,aftershehadtakenagoodlookattheinsectwithitsheadonfire,andhadthoughttoherself,‘Iwonderifthat’sthereasoninsectsaresofondofflyingintocandles—becausetheywanttoturnintoSnap-dragon-flies!’
‘Crawlingatyourfeet,’saidtheGnat(Alicedrewherfeetbackinsomealarm),‘youmayobserveaBread-and-Butterfly.ItswingsarethinslicesofBread-and-butter,itsbodyisacrust,anditsheadisalumpofsugar.’
‘Andwhatdoesitliveon?’
‘Weakteawithcreaminit.’
AnewdifficultycameintoAlice’shead.‘Supposingitcouldn’tfindany?’shesuggested.
‘Thenitwoulddie,ofcourse.’
‘Butthatmusthappenveryoften,’Aliceremarkedthoughtfully.
‘Italwayshappens,’saidtheGnat.
Afterthis,Alicewassilentforaminuteortwo,pondering.TheGnatamuseditselfmeanwhilebyhummingroundandroundherhead:atlastitsettledagainandremarked,‘Isupposeyoudon’twanttoloseyourname?’
‘No,indeed,’Alicesaid,alittleanxiously.
