In this excerpt from Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass," Alice questions the knight about his comfort in speaking when he heads down. She seems curious about how he manages to communicate confidently despite his unusual position. This moment highlights Alice's inquisitiveness and the curious nature of the characters in the story.

The knight is taken aback by her question and responds by emphasizing that his physical position doesn't affect his thoughts or ability to speak. He believes that maintaining his mental acuity is more important, and even being in unusual states allows him to discover new ideas. This reflects a theme of adaptability and the idea that understanding transcends physical circumstances.