Аліса в Задзеркаллі
It’s my own Invention
Wheneverthehorsestopped(whichitdidveryoften),hefelloffinfront;andwheneveritwentonagain(whichitgenerallydidrathersuddenly),hefelloffbehind.Otherwisehekeptonprettywell,exceptthathehadahabitofnowandthenfallingoffsideways;andashegenerallydidthisonthesideonwhichAlicewaswalking,shesoonfoundthatitwasthebestplannottowalkquiteclosetothehorse.
‘I’mafraidyou’venothadmuchpracticeinriding,’sheventuredtosay,asshewashelpinghimupfromhisfifthtumble.
TheKnightlookedverymuchsurprised,andalittleoffendedattheremark.‘Whatmakesyousaythat?’heasked,ashescrambledbackintothesaddle,keepingholdofAlice’shairwithonehand,tosavehimselffromfallingoverontheotherside.
‘Becausepeopledon’tfalloffquitesooften,whenthey’vehadmuchpractice.’
‘I’vehadplentyofpractice,’theKnightsaidverygravely:‘plentyofpractice!’
Alicecouldthinkofnothingbettertosaythan‘Indeed?’butshesaiditasheartilyasshecould.Theywentonalittlewayinsilenceafterthis,theKnightwithhiseyesshut,mutteringtohimself,andAlicewatchinganxiouslyforthenexttumble.
‘Thegreatartofriding,’theKnightsuddenlybeganinaloudvoice,wavinghisrightarmashespoke,‘istokeep—’Herethesentenceendedassuddenlyasithadbegun,astheKnightfellheavilyonthetopofhisheadexactlyinthepathwhereAlicewaswalking.
