Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/269

XIV] "But Bruno weren't flightened!" said the owner of that name. "So he staid black!"

"No, he didn't stay black! He staid pink!" laughed Sylvie. "I shouldn't kiss you like this, you know, if you were black!"

"Oo'd have to!" Bruno said with great decision. "Besides, Bruno wasn't Bruno, oo knowI mean, Bruno wasn't meI meandon't talk nonsense, Sylvie!"

"I won't do it again!" Sylvie said very humbly. "And so, as they went along, the Lion said 'Oh, I'll tell you what I used to do when I was a young Lion. I used to hide behind trees, to watch for little Boys. (Bruno cuddled a little closer to her.) And, if a little thin scraggy Boy came by, why, I used to let him go. But, if a little fat juicy

Bruno could bear no more. "Pretend he wasn't juicy!" he pleaded, half-sobbing.

"Nonsense, Bruno!" Sylvie briskly replied. "It'll be done in a moment! 'if a little fat juicy Boy came by, why, I used to spring out and gobble him up! Oh, you've no idea what a delicious thing it isa little juicy Boy!' And Bruno said 'Oh, if you please,