“What tremendously easy riddles you ask!” Humpty Dumpty growled out. “Of course I don’t think so! Why, if ever I did fall off⁠—which there’s no chance of⁠—but if I did⁠—” Here he pursed his lips and looked so solemn and grand that Alice could hardly help laughing. “ If I did fall,” he went on, “ the King has promised me ⁠—ah, you may turn pale, if you like! You didn’t think I was going to say that, did you? The King has promised me⁠—with his very own mouth ⁠—to⁠—to⁠—”

“To send all his horses and all his men,” Alice interrupted, rather unwisely.

“Now I declare that’s too bad!” Humpty Dumpty cried, breaking into a sudden passion. “You’ve been listening at doors⁠—and behind trees⁠—and down chimneys⁠—or you couldn’t have known it!”