Alice was very worried about getting wet and kept her eyes on an object, fearing she would catch a cold if she didn't dry off quickly. She seemed anxious about her surroundings and the wetness she was experiencing.
The Mouse, speaking with an air of importance, announced that it was the driest thing it knew and asked everyone to be silent. It then started recounting a historical story about William the Conqueror and his struggles with the English, implying a desire to focus on the tale or perhaps divert from the current situation.