I do n't know where Dinn may be , ' said the Mock Turtle , ` but if you 've seen them so often , of course you know what they 're like . ' ' I believe so , ' Alice replied thoughtfully . ` They have their tails in their mouths -- and they 're all over crumbs . ' ` You 're wrong about the crumbs , ' said the Mock Turtle : ` crumbs would all wash off in the sea . But they HAVE their tails in their mouths ; and the reason is -- ' here the Mock Turtle yawned and shut his eyes . -- ` Tell her about the reason and all that , ' he said to the Gryphon . ` The reason is , ' said the Gryphon , ` that they WOULD go with the lobsters to the dance . So they got thrown out to sea . So they had to fall a long way . So they got their tails fast in their mouths . So they could n't get them out again . That 's all . ' ` Thank you , ' said Alice , ` it 's very interesting . I never knew so much about a whiting before . ' ' I can tell you more than that , if you like , ' said the Gryphon . ` Do you know why it 's called a whiting ? ' ' I never thought about it , ' said Alice . ` Why ? ' ` IT DOES THE BOOTS AND SHOES . ' the Gryphon replied very solemnly .
XXXXX was thoroughly puzzled .
Alice Dinn Gryphon crumbs dance fall lobsters mouths sea whiting