Through the Outlooking Glass

by Simeon Strunsky

"Yes, you can," said the Red Knight, "provided the letter is big enough."

But Alice was firm. "I don't see how language can be made up of one letter. You need twenty-six at least."

"I don't think so," said the Red Knight, "and, besides, where am I to get the other letters from?"

"You might advertise," said the Comic Editor. "Help Wanted, Mail, you know."

All at once the Red Knight sat straight up, and his face grew bright. "Why, of course, we need more letters. There is e for 'me' and o for 'our' and u for 'us' and a for 'am' and y for 'my.' My dear Alice, that really was a bright idea of yours."

"Whatever is bright is Constitutional, you know," said the Comic Editor.

The Red Knight picked up the pieces of parchment. "With a little practice," he said, "you will be very good at taking a constitution apart and putting it together again. It helps to pass the time, and when you are tired of the game you can throw the mess out of the window."

"Interrupt it and constrew it, you know," said the Comic Editor.

"Oh, don't be a fool," said Alice, quite losing her temper. She looked so angry that the Comic Editor burst out crying. He was still sobbing when they came to the door of the Outlooking Glass office.