A bright idea came into Alice's head. `Is that the reason so
many tea-things are put out here?' she asked.

`Yes, that's it,' said the Hatter with a sigh: `it's always
tea-time, and we've no time to wash the things between whiles.'

`Then you keep moving round, I suppose?' said Alice.

`Exactly so,' said the Hatter: `as the things get used up.'

`But what happens when you come to the beginning again?' Alice
ventured to ask.

`Suppose we change the subject,' the March Hare interrupted,
yawning. `I'm getting tired of this. I vote the young lady
tells us a story.'

`I'm afraid I don't know one,' said Alice, rather alarmed at
the proposal.

`Then the Dormouse shall!' they both cried. `Wake up,
Dormouse!' And they pinched it on both sides at once.

The Dormouse slowly opened his eyes. `I wasn't asleep,' he
said in a hoarse, feeble voice: `I heard every word you fellows
were saying.'

`Tell us a story!' said the March Hare.

`Yes, please do!' pleaded Alice.