Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/393

XXII] have asked him a riddle!" he added triumphantly. "Why, I asked the Professor three riddles! One was that one you asked me in the morning, 'How many pennies is there in two shillings?' And another was" "Oh, Bruno!" Sylvie interrupted. "That wasn't a riddle!" "It were!" Bruno fiercely replied.)

By this time a waiter had supplied Bruno with a plateful of something, which drove the plum-pudding out of his head.

"Another advantage of dinner-parties," the Professor cheerfully explained, for the benefit of any one that would listen, "is that it helps you to see your friends. If you want to see a man, offer him something to eat. It's the same rule with a mouse."

"This Cat's very kind to the Mouses," Bruno said, stooping to stroke a remarkably fat specimen of the race, that had just waddled into the room, and was rubbing itself affectionately against the leg of his chair. "Please, Sylvie, pour some milk in your saucer. Pussie's ever so thirsty!"

"Why do you want my saucer?" said Sylvie "You've got one yourself!"