Lewis Carroll: Through the Looking Glass

CHAPTER 7: The Lion and the Unicorn (continued)

They placed themselves close to where Hatta, the other messenger, was standing watching the fight, with a cup of tea in one hand and a piece of bread-and-butter in the other.

`He's only just out of prison, and he hadn't finished his tea when he was sent in,' Haigha whispered to Alice: `and they only give them oyster-shells in there--so you see he's very hungry and thirsty. How are you, dear child?' he went on, putting his arm affectionately round Hatta's neck.

Hatta looked round and nodded, and went on with his bread and butter.

`Were you happy in prison, dear child?' said Haigha.

Hatta looked round once more, and this time a tear or two trickled down his cheek: but not a word would he say.

`Speak, can't you!' Haigha cried impatiently. But Hatta only munched away, and drank some more tea.

`Speak, won't you!' cried the King. 'How are they getting on with the fight?'

Hatta made a desperate effort, and swallowed a large piece of bread-and-butter. `They're getting on very well,' he said in a choking voice: `each of them has been down about eighty-seven times.'

`Then I suppose they'll soon bring the white bread and the brown?' Alice ventured to remark.

`It's waiting for 'em now,' said Hatta: `this is a bit of it as I'm eating.'

There was a pause in the fight just then, and the Lion and the Unicorn sat down, panting, while the King called out `Ten minutes allowed for refreshments!' Haigha and Hatta set to work at once, carrying rough trays of white and brown bread. Alice took a piece to taste, but it was VERY dry.

`I don't think they'll fight any more to-day,' the King said to Hatta: `go and order the drums to begin.' And Hatta went bounding away like a grasshopper.