Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/434

396 "Once upon a time there was a Boojum" the Professor began, but stopped suddenly. "I forget the rest of the Fable," he said. "And there was a lesson to be learned from it. I'm afraid I forget that, too." "I'll tell oo a Fable!" Bruno began in a great hurry. "Once there were a Locust, and a Magpie, and a Engine-driver. And the Lesson is, to learn to get up early" "It isn't a bit interesting!" Sylvie said contemptuously. "You shouldn't put the Lesson so soon." "When did you invent that Fable?" said the Professor. "Last week?" "No!" said Bruno. "A deal shorter ago than that. Guess again!" "I ca'n't guess," said the Professor. "How long ago?" "Why, it isn't invented yet!" Bruno exclaimed triumphantly. "But I have invented a lovely one! Shall I say it?" "If you've finished inventing it," said Sylvie. "And let the Lesson be 'to try again'!" "No," said Bruno with great decision. "The Lesson are 'not to try again'!" "Once there