Dialogue following No. 9

MOCK. You may not have lived under the sea.

ALICE. I haven’t.

MOCK. And perhaps you were never even introduced to a lobster?

ALICE. I have tasted– (checks herself) No never!

MOCK. So you can have no idea what a delightful thing a Lobster Quadrille is?

ALICE. No indeed! What sort of dance is it?

GRYPHON. Why, you first form into a line along the sea-shore -

MOCK. Two lines! Seals, turtles, salmon, and so on; then when you’ve cleared all the jelly-fish out of the way -

GRYPHON. That generally takes some time!

MOCK. You advance twice -

GRYPHON. Each with a lobster for a partner -

MOCK. Of course, advance twice, set to partners!

GRYPHON. Change lobsters and retire in same order.

MOCK. Then you throw the–

GRYPHON. The Lobsters! (with a shout and bound into the air)

MOCK. As far out to sea as you can.

GRYPHON. Swim after them!

MOCK. Turn a somersault in the sea! (capering about)

MOCK. Back to ladnd again and that’s all the first figure.

The two creatures who have been jumping about like mad things, now sit down again and look at ALICE.

ALICE. It must be a very pretty dance!

MOCK. Would you like to see a bit more of it?

ALICE. Very much indeed!

MOCK (to GRYPHON). Come let’s try the first figure. We can do it without lobsters you know. You sing.