At last the mouse , who seemed to have some authority among them , called out `` sit down , all of you , and attend to me ! I 'll soon make you dry enough ! '' They all sat down at once , shivering , in a large ring , Alice in the middle , with her eyes anxiously fixed on the mouse , for she felt sure she would catch a bad cold if she did not get dry very soon . `` Ahem ! '' said the mouse , with a self-important air , `` are you all ready ? This is the driest thing I know . Silence all round , if you please ! `` William the Conqueror , whose cause was favoured by the pope , was soon submitted to by the English , who wanted leaders , and had been of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest . Edwin and Morcar , the earls of Mercia and Northumbria -- '' `` Ugh ! '' said the Lory with a shiver . `` I beg your pardon ? '' said the mouse , frowning , but very politely , `` did you speak ? '' `` Not I ! '' said the Lory hastily . `` I thought you did , '' said the mouse , `` I proceed . Edwin and Morcar , the earls of Mercia and Northumbria , declared for him ; and even Stigand , the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury , found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown . William 's conduct was at first moderate -- how are you getting on now , dear ? '' said the mouse , turning to Alice as it spoke . `` As wet as ever , '' said poor Alice , `` it does n't seem to dry me at all . '' `` In that case , '' said the Dodo solemnly , rising to his feet , `` I move that the meeting adjourn , for the immediate adoption of more energetic remedies -- '' `` Speak English ! ''
XXXXX the Duck , `` I do n't know the meaning of half those long words , and what 's more , I do n't believe you do either ! ''
Speak catch found get make said sat seemed shivering spoke