mirror of
https://github.com/Kaehvaman/OAIP.git
synced 2025-01-18 08:39:11 +04:00
убрать html
This commit is contained in:
parent
92e2fbf7e9
commit
6c3f50ca92
@ -1,8 +0,0 @@
|
||||
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><meta http - equiv = "Content-Type" content = "text/html; charset=utf-8" /><title>HTML Document</title></head><body>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
|
||||
<br>Lewis Carroll
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>Chapter I
|
||||
<br>DOWN THE RABBIT-HOLE
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, "and what is the use of a book", thought Alice "without pictures or conversation?"</body></html>
|
||||
@ -1 +0,0 @@
|
||||
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><meta http - equiv = "Content-Type" content = "text/html; charset=utf-8" /><title>HTML Document</title></head><body>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland<br>Lewis Carroll<br><br><br>Chapter I<br>DOWN THE RABBIT-HOLE<br><br>Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, "and what is the use of a book", thought Alice "without pictures or conversation?"</body></html>
|
||||
@ -1 +0,0 @@
|
||||
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><meta http - equiv = "Content-Type" content = "text/html; charset=utf-8" /><title>HTML Document</title></head><body>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland<br>Lewis <b>Carroll</b><br><br><br>Chapter <i>I</i><br><i>DOWN</i> <i>THE</i> <i>RABBIT</i>-<i>HOLE</i><br><br>Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having <i>RABBIT</i> nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her <i><b>CARROLL</b></i> sister was reading, but it had no <b>carroll</b> pictures or conversations in it, "and what is the use of a book", thought Alice "without pictures or conversation?"</body></html>
|
||||
@ -1,966 +0,0 @@
|
||||
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><meta http-equiv = "Content-Type" content = "text/html; charset=cp1251" /><title>HTML Document</title></head><body><b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b> <b>Adventures</b> <b>in</b> <b>Wonderland</b><br>
|
||||
<b>Lewis</b> <b>Carroll</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>I</b><br>
|
||||
<b>DOWN</b> <b>THE</b> <b>RABBIT</b>-<b>HOLE</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>very</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>by</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>bank</b>, <b>and</b> <b>of</b> <b>having</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>: <b>once</b> <b>or</b> <b>twice</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>peeped</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>book</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b> <b>was</b> <b>reading</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>pictures</b> <b>or</b> <b>conversations</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>what</b> <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>use</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>book</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b> “<b>without</b> <b>pictures</b> <b>or</b> <b>conversation</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>considering</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>mind</b> (<b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>hot</b> <b>day</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>feel</b> <b>very</b> <b>sleepy</b> <b>and</b> <b>stupid</b>), <b>whether</b> <b>the</b> <b>pleasure</b> <b>of</b> <b>making</b> <b>a</b> <b>daisy</b>-<b>chain</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>worth</b> <b>the</b> <b>trouble</b> <b>of</b> <b>getting</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>picking</b> <b>the</b> <b>daisies</b>, <b>when</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>a</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>with</b> <b>pink</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>ran</b> <b>close</b> <b>by</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>remarkable</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b>; <b>nor</b> <b>did</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>think</b> <b>it</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>much</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>to</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>say</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b>, “<b>Oh</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>Oh</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>be</b> <b>late</b>!” (<b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>over</b> <b>afterwards</b>, <b>it</b> <b>occurred</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>wondered</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b>, <b>but</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>it</b> <b>all</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>quite</b> <b>natural</b>); <b>but</b> <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>actually</b> <b>TOOK</b> <b>A</b> <b>WATCH</b> <b>OUT</b> <b>OF</b> <b>ITS</b> <b>WAISTCOAT</b>-<b>POCKET</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>on</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>started</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>flashed</b> <b>across</b> <b>her</b> <b>mind</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>before</b> <b>see</b> <b>a</b> <b>rabbit</b> <b>with</b> <b>either</b> <b>a</b> <b>waistcoat</b>-<b>pocket</b>, <b>or</b> <b>a</b> <b>watch</b> <b>to</b> <b>take</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>burning</b> <b>with</b> <b>curiosity</b>, <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>across</b> <b>the</b> <b>field</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>fortunately</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>in</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>pop</b> <b>down</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>rabbit</b>-<b>hole</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedge</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>In</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b> <b>down</b> <b>went</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>, <b>never</b> <b>once</b> <b>considering</b> <b>how</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>rabbit</b>-<b>hole</b> <b>went</b> <b>straight</b> <b>on</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>tunnel</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>way</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>dipped</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>down</b>, <b>so</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>that</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>about</b> <b>stopping</b> <b>herself</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>falling</b> <b>down</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>deep</b> <b>well</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Either</b> <b>the</b> <b>well</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>deep</b>, <b>or</b> <b>she</b> <b>fell</b> <b>very</b> <b>slowly</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>plenty</b> <b>of</b> <b>time</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>and</b> <b>to</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>happen</b> <b>next</b>. <b>First</b>, <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>what</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>coming</b> <b>to</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>dark</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>anything</b>; <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>sides</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>well</b>, <b>and</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>filled</b> <b>with</b> <b>cupboards</b> <b>and</b> <b>book</b>-<b>shelves</b>; <b>here</b> <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>she</b> <b>saw</b> <b>maps</b> <b>and</b> <b>pictures</b> <b>hung</b> <b>upon</b> <b>pegs</b>. <b>She</b> <b>took</b> <b>down</b> <b>a</b> <b>jar</b> <b>from</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>shelves</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>passed</b>; <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>labelled</b> “<b>ORANGE</b> <b>MARMALADE</b>', <b>but</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>great</b> <b>disappointment</b> <b>it</b> <b>way</b> <b>empty</b>: <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>drop</b> <b>the</b> <b>jar</b> <b>for</b> <b>fear</b> <b>of</b> <b>killing</b> <b>somebody</b>, <b>so</b> <b>managed</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>into</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>cupboards</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>fell</b> <b>past</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>!” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>after</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>fall</b> <b>as</b> <b>this</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>think</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>of</b> <b>tumbling</b> <b>down</b> <b>stairs</b>! <b>How</b> <b>brave</b> <b>they</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>all</b> <b>think</b> <b>me</b> <b>at</b> <b>home</b>! <b>Why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>say</b> <b>anything</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>even</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>fell</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>!” (<b>Which</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>likely</b> <b>true</b>.)<br>
|
||||
<b>Down</b>, <b>down</b>, <b>down</b>. <b>Would</b> <b>the</b> <b>fall</b> <b>NEVER</b> <b>come</b> <b>to</b> <b>an</b> <b>end</b>! “<b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>how</b> <b>many</b> <b>miles</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>fallen</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>aloud</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>getting</b> <b>somewhere</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>centre</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>earth</b>. <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>see</b>: <b>that</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>four</b> <b>thousand</b> <b>miles</b> <b>down</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>—” (<b>for</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>learnt</b> <b>several</b> <b>things</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>sort</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>lessons</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>schoolroom</b>, <b>and</b> <b>though</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>good</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>for</b> <b>showing</b> <b>off</b> <b>her</b> <b>knowledge</b>, <b>as</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>one</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, <b>still</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>good</b> <b>practice</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>it</b> <b>over</b>) “—<b>yes</b>, <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>distance</b>—<b>but</b> <b>then</b> <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>Latitude</b> <b>or</b> <b>Longitude</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b>?” (<b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>idea</b> <b>what</b> <b>Latitude</b> <b>was</b>, <b>or</b> <b>Longitude</b> <b>either</b>, <b>but</b> <b>thought</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>nice</b> <b>grand</b> <b>words</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>.)<br>
|
||||
<b>Presently</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>again</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>fall</b> <b>right</b> <b>THROUGH</b> <b>the</b> <b>earth</b>! <b>How</b> <b>funny</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>out</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>people</b> <b>that</b> <b>walk</b> <b>with</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>downward</b>! <b>The</b> <b>Antipathies</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>—” (<b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>rather</b> <b>glad</b> <b>there</b> <b>WAS</b> <b>no</b> <b>one</b> <b>listening</b>, <b>this</b> <b>time</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>sound</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>word</b>) “—<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>them</b> <b>what</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>country</b> <b>is</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Please</b>, <b>Ma</b>'<b>am</b>, <b>is</b> <b>this</b> <b>New</b> <b>Zealand</b> <b>or</b> <b>Australia</b>?” (<b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>curtsey</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>—<b>fancy</b> <b>CURTSEYING</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>falling</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>! <b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>manage</b> <b>it</b>?) “<b>And</b> <b>what</b> <b>an</b> <b>ignorant</b> <b>little</b> <b>girl</b> <b>she</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>think</b> <b>me</b> <b>for</b> <b>asking</b>! <b>No</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>never</b> <b>do</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b>: <b>perhaps</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>written</b> <b>up</b> <b>somewhere</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Down</b>, <b>down</b>, <b>down</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>else</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>, <b>so</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>soon</b> <b>began</b> <b>talking</b> <b>again</b>. <b>Dinah</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>miss</b> <b>me</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>to</b>-<b>night</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b>!” (<b>Dinah</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>cat</b>.) “<b>I</b> <b>hope</b> <b>they</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>remember</b> <b>her</b> <b>saucer</b> <b>of</b> <b>milk</b> <b>at</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>time</b>. <b>Dinah</b> <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>down</b> <b>here</b> <b>with</b> <b>me</b>! <b>There</b> <b>are</b> <b>no</b> <b>mice</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b>, <b>but</b> <b>you</b> <b>might</b> <b>catch</b> <b>a</b> <b>bat</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>mouse</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>But</b> <b>do</b> <b>cats</b> <b>eat</b> <b>bats</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b>?” <b>And</b> <b>here</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>rather</b> <b>sleepy</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>dreamy</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>way</b>, “<b>Do</b> <b>cats</b> <b>eat</b> <b>bats</b>? <b>Do</b> <b>cats</b> <b>eat</b> <b>bats</b>?” <b>and</b> <b>sometimes</b>, “<b>Do</b> <b>bats</b> <b>eat</b> <b>cats</b>?” <b>for</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>answer</b> <b>either</b> <b>question</b>, <b>it</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>much</b> <b>matter</b> <b>which</b> <b>way</b> <b>she</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b>. <b>She</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>dozing</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>begun</b> <b>to</b> <b>dream</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>walking</b> <b>hand</b> <b>in</b> <b>hand</b> <b>with</b> <b>Dinah</b>, <b>and</b> <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>very</b> <b>earnestly</b>, “<b>Now</b>, <b>Dinah</b>, <b>tell</b> <b>me</b> <b>the</b> <b>truth</b>: <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>ever</b> <b>eat</b> <b>a</b> <b>bat</b>?” <b>when</b> <b>suddenly</b>, <b>thump</b>! <b>thump</b>! <b>down</b> <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>heap</b> <b>of</b> <b>stick</b> <b>and</b> <b>dry</b> <b>leaves</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>fall</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b> <b>hurt</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>up</b> <b>on</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>feet</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b>: <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>dark</b> <b>overhead</b>; <b>before</b> <b>her</b> <b>was</b> <b>another</b> <b>long</b> <b>passage</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>was</b> <b>still</b> <b>in</b> <b>sight</b>, <b>hurrying</b> <b>down</b> <b>it</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>lost</b>: <b>away</b> <b>went</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>wind</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>in</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>hear</b> <b>it</b> <b>say</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>turned</b> <b>a</b> <b>corner</b>, “<b>Oh</b> <b>my</b> <b>ears</b> <b>and</b> <b>whiskers</b>, <b>how</b> <b>late</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>getting</b>!” <b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>close</b> <b>behind</b> <b>it</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>turned</b> <b>to</b> <b>corner</b>, <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>longer</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>seen</b>: <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b>, <b>low</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>lit</b> <b>up</b> <b>by</b> <b>a</b> <b>row</b> <b>of</b> <b>lamps</b> <b>hanging</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>were</b> <b>doors</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>but</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>locked</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>down</b> <b>one</b> <b>side</b> <b>and</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>trying</b> <b>every</b> <b>door</b>, <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>sadly</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b>, <b>wondering</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>ever</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Suddenly</b> <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>three</b>-<b>legged</b> <b>table</b>, <b>all</b> <b>made</b> <b>of</b> <b>solid</b> <b>glass</b>; <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> <b>except</b> <b>a</b> <b>tiny</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b> <b>first</b> <b>thought</b> <b>was</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>belong</b> <b>to</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>doors</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b>; <b>but</b>, <b>alas</b>! <b>either</b> <b>the</b> <b>locks</b> <b>were</b> <b>too</b> <b>large</b>, <b>or</b> <b>the</b> <b>key</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>small</b>, <b>but</b> <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>open</b> <b>any</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>second</b> <b>time</b> <b>round</b>, <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>curtain</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>before</b>, <b>and</b> <b>behind</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b> <b>about</b> <b>fifteen</b> <b>inches</b> <b>high</b>: <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>lock</b>, <b>and</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>great</b> <b>delight</b> <b>it</b> <b>fitted</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>opened</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>led</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>small</b> <b>passage</b>, <b>not</b> <b>much</b> <b>larger</b> <b>than</b> <b>a</b> <b>rat</b>-<b>hole</b>: <b>she</b> <b>knelt</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>along</b> <b>the</b> <b>passage</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>loveliest</b> <b>garden</b> <b>you</b> <b>ever</b> <b>saw</b>. <b>How</b> <b>she</b> <b>longed</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>dark</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wander</b> <b>about</b> <b>among</b> <b>those</b> <b>beds</b> <b>of</b> <b>bright</b> <b>flowers</b> <b>and</b> <b>those</b> <b>cool</b> <b>fountains</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>to</b> <b>even</b> <b>get</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>thought</b> <b>he</b> <b>doorway</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>even</b> <b>if</b> <b>my</b> <b>head</b> <b>would</b> <b>go</b> <b>through</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>of</b> <b>very</b> <b>little</b> <b>use</b> <b>without</b> <b>my</b> <b>shoulders</b>. <b>Oh</b>, <b>how</b> <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>shut</b> <b>up</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>telescope</b>! <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>know</b> <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b>.” <b>For</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>out</b>-<b>of</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>way</b> <b>things</b> <b>had</b> <b>happened</b> <b>lately</b>, <b>that</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>begun</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>that</b> <b>very</b> <b>few</b> <b>things</b> <b>indeed</b> <b>were</b> <b>really</b> <b>impossible</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>, <b>half</b> <b>hoping</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>find</b> <b>another</b> <b>key</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b>, <b>or</b> <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b> <b>a</b> <b>book</b> <b>or</b> <b>rules</b> <b>for</b> <b>shutting</b> <b>people</b> <b>up</b> <b>like</b> <b>telescopes</b>: <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b>, (`<b>which</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>here</b> <b>before</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>,) <b>and</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>neck</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>paper</b> <b>label</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> “<b>DRINK</b> <b>ME</b>” <b>beautifully</b> <b>printed</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>large</b> <b>letters</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>very</b> <b>well</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> “<b>Drink</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>wise</b> <b>little</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>THAT</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurry</b>. “<b>No</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>look</b> <b>first</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>whether</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>marked</b> «<b>poison</b>» <b>or</b> <b>not</b>'; <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>read</b> <b>several</b> <b>nice</b> <b>little</b> <b>histories</b> <b>about</b> <b>children</b> <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>burnt</b>, <b>and</b> <b>eaten</b> <b>up</b> <b>by</b> <b>wild</b> <b>beasts</b> <b>and</b> <b>other</b> <b>unpleasant</b> <b>things</b>, <b>all</b> <b>because</b> <b>they</b> <b>WOULD</b> <b>not</b> <b>remember</b> <b>the</b> <b>simple</b> <b>rules</b> <b>their</b> <b>friends</b> <b>had</b> <b>taught</b> <b>them</b>: <b>such</b> <b>as</b>, <b>that</b> <b>a</b> <b>red</b>-<b>hot</b> <b>poker</b> <b>will</b> <b>burn</b> <b>you</b> <b>if</b> <b>your</b> <b>hold</b> <b>it</b> <b>too</b> <b>long</b>; <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>cut</b> <b>your</b> <b>finger</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>deeply</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>knife</b>, <b>it</b> <b>usually</b> <b>bleeds</b>; <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>that</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>drink</b> <b>much</b> <b>from</b> <b>a</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>marked</b> “<b>poison</b>,” <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>almost</b> <b>certain</b> <b>to</b> <b>disagree</b> <b>with</b> <b>you</b>, <b>sooner</b> <b>or</b> <b>later</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>However</b>, <b>this</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>was</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>marked</b> “<b>poison</b>,” <b>so</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>ventured</b> <b>to</b> <b>taste</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>finding</b> <b>it</b> <b>very</b> <b>nice</b>, (<b>it</b> <b>had</b>, <b>in</b> <b>fact</b>, <b>a</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>mixed</b> <b>flavour</b> <b>of</b> <b>cherry</b>-<b>tart</b>, <b>custard</b>, <b>pine</b>-<b>apple</b>, <b>roast</b> <b>turkey</b>, <b>toffee</b>, <b>and</b> <b>hot</b> <b>buttered</b> <b>toast</b>,) <b>she</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>finished</b> <b>it</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>feeling</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>shutting</b> <b>up</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>telescope</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>so</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>indeed</b>: <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>only</b> <b>ten</b> <b>inches</b> <b>high</b>, <b>and</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b> <b>brightened</b> <b>up</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>thought</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b> <b>for</b> <b>going</b> <b>though</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b> <b>into</b> <b>that</b> <b>lovely</b> <b>garden</b>. <b>First</b>, <b>however</b>, <b>she</b> <b>waited</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>shrink</b> <b>any</b> <b>further</b>: <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>nervous</b> <b>about</b> <b>this</b>; “<b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>end</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>going</b> <b>out</b> <b>altogether</b>, <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>candle</b>. <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>be</b> <b>like</b> <b>then</b>?” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>fancy</b> <b>what</b> <b>the</b> <b>flame</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>candle</b> <b>is</b> <b>like</b> <b>after</b> <b>the</b> <b>candle</b> <b>is</b> <b>blown</b> <b>out</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>remember</b> <b>ever</b> <b>having</b> <b>seen</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>After</b> <b>a</b> <b>while</b>, <b>finding</b> <b>that</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>more</b> <b>happened</b>, <b>she</b> <b>decided</b> <b>on</b> <b>going</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>; <b>but</b>, <b>alas</b> <b>for</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b>! <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b>, <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>possibly</b> <b>reach</b> <b>it</b>: <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>quite</b> <b>plainly</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>glass</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>her</b> <b>best</b> <b>to</b> <b>climb</b> <b>up</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>legs</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>slippery</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>tired</b> <b>herself</b> <b>out</b> <b>with</b> <b>trying</b>, <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>cried</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>crying</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>rather</b> <b>sharply</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>advise</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>leave</b> <b>off</b> <b>this</b> <b>minute</b>!” <b>She</b> <b>generally</b> <b>gave</b> <b>herself</b> <b>very</b> <b>good</b> <b>advice</b>, (<b>though</b> <b>she</b> <b>very</b> <b>seldom</b> <b>followed</b> <b>it</b>), <b>and</b> <b>sometimes</b> <b>she</b> <b>scolded</b> <b>herself</b> <b>so</b> <b>severely</b> <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>bring</b> <b>tears</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b>; <b>and</b> <b>once</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>box</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>ears</b> <b>for</b> <b>having</b> <b>cheated</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>game</b> <b>of</b> <b>croquet</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>playing</b> <b>against</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>for</b> <b>this</b> <b>curious</b> <b>child</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>fond</b> <b>of</b> <b>pretending</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>two</b> <b>people</b>. “<b>But</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>now</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>to</b> <b>pretend</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>two</b> <b>people</b>! <b>Why</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>enough</b> <b>of</b> <b>me</b> <b>left</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>ONE</b> <b>respectable</b> <b>person</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Soon</b> <b>her</b> <b>eye</b> <b>fell</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>glass</b> <b>box</b> <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>lying</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>: <b>she</b> <b>opened</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>small</b> <b>cake</b>, <b>on</b> <b>which</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> “<b>EAT</b> <b>ME</b>” <b>were</b> <b>beautifully</b> <b>marked</b> <b>in</b> <b>currants</b>. “<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>eat</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alive</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>makes</b> <b>me</b> <b>grow</b> <b>larger</b>, <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>reach</b> <b>the</b> <b>key</b>; <b>and</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>makes</b> <b>me</b> <b>grow</b> <b>smaller</b>, <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>creep</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>; <b>so</b> <b>either</b> <b>way</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>get</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>care</b> <b>which</b> <b>happens</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>ate</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bit</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>Which</b> <b>way</b>? <b>Which</b> <b>way</b>?', <b>holding</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>to</b> <b>feel</b> <b>which</b> <b>way</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>growing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>remained</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>size</b>: <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>sure</b>, <b>this</b> <b>generally</b> <b>happens</b> <b>when</b> <b>one</b> <b>eats</b> <b>cake</b>, <b>but</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>expecting</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>but</b> <b>out</b>-<b>of</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>way</b> <b>things</b> <b>to</b> <b>happen</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>quite</b> <b>dull</b> <b>and</b> <b>stupid</b> <b>for</b> <b>life</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>common</b> <b>way</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>finished</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>cake</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>II</b><br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> <b>POOL</b> <b>OF</b> <b>TEARS</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Curiouser</b> <b>and</b> <b>curiouser</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>Alice</b> (<b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>surprised</b>, <b>that</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>she</b> <b>quite</b> <b>forgot</b> <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>good</b> <b>English</b>); “<b>now</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>opening</b> <b>out</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>largest</b> <b>telescope</b> <b>that</b> <b>ever</b> <b>was</b>! <b>Good</b>-<b>bye</b>, <b>feet</b>!” (<b>for</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>they</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>almost</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>, <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>getting</b> <b>so</b> <b>far</b> <b>off</b>). “<b>Oh</b>, <b>my</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>who</b> <b>will</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>your</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>and</b> <b>stockings</b> <b>for</b> <b>you</b> <b>now</b>, <b>dears</b>? <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> _<b>I</b>_ <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>able</b>! <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>deal</b> <b>too</b> <b>far</b> <b>off</b> <b>to</b> <b>trouble</b> <b>myself</b> <b>about</b> <b>you</b>: <b>you</b> <b>must</b> <b>manage</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>way</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>; —<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>kind</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>or</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>they</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>walk</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>I</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b>! <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>see</b>: <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>give</b> <b>them</b> <b>a</b> <b>new</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>boots</b> <b>every</b> <b>Christmas</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>planning</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>manage</b> <b>it</b>. “<b>They</b> <b>must</b> <b>go</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>carrier</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>how</b> <b>funny</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>seem</b>, <b>sending</b> <b>presents</b> <b>to</b> <b>one</b>'<b>s</b> <b>own</b> <b>feet</b>! <b>And</b> <b>how</b> <b>odd</b> <b>the</b> <b>directions</b> <b>will</b> <b>look</b>!<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>ALICE</b>'<b>S</b> <b>RIGHT</b> <b>FOOT</b>, <b>ESQ</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>HEARTHRUG</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>NEAR</b> <b>THE</b> <b>FENDER</b>,<br>
|
||||
(<b>WITH</b> <b>ALICE</b>'<b>S</b> <b>LOVE</b>).<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Oh</b> <b>dear</b>, <b>what</b> <b>nonsense</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>talking</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Just</b> <b>then</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>struck</b> <b>against</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b>: <b>in</b> <b>fact</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> <b>nine</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>took</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b> <b>and</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>off</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b> <b>door</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Poor</b> <b>Alice</b>! <b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>do</b>, <b>lying</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b> <b>side</b>, <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>through</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>eye</b>; <b>but</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>through</b> <b>was</b> <b>more</b> <b>hopeless</b> <b>than</b> <b>ever</b>: <b>she</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>cry</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>ashamed</b> <b>of</b> <b>yourself</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>girl</b> <b>like</b> <b>you</b>,” (<b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>well</b> <b>say</b> <b>this</b>), “<b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>crying</b> <b>in</b> <b>this</b> <b>way</b>! <b>Stop</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b>, <b>I</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b>!” <b>But</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b>, <b>shedding</b> <b>gallons</b> <b>of</b> <b>tears</b>, <b>until</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>pool</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b>, <b>about</b> <b>four</b> <b>inches</b> <b>deep</b> <b>and</b> <b>reaching</b> <b>half</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>After</b> <b>a</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>pattering</b> <b>of</b> <b>feet</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>dried</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>was</b> <b>coming</b>. <b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>returning</b>, <b>splendidly</b> <b>dressed</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>white</b> <b>kid</b> <b>gloves</b> <b>in</b> <b>one</b> <b>hand</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>fan</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>: <b>he</b> <b>came</b> <b>trotting</b> <b>along</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b>, <b>muttering</b> <b>to</b> <b>himself</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>came</b>, “<b>Oh</b>! <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>! <b>Oh</b>! <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>she</b> <b>be</b> <b>savage</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>kept</b> <b>her</b> <b>waiting</b>!” <b>Alice</b> <b>felt</b> <b>so</b> <b>desperate</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>help</b> <b>of</b> <b>any</b> <b>one</b>; <b>so</b>, <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>came</b> <b>near</b> <b>her</b>, <b>she</b> <b>began</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b>, <b>timid</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>please</b>, <b>sir</b>—” <b>The</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>started</b> <b>violently</b>, <b>dropped</b> <b>the</b> <b>white</b> <b>kid</b> <b>gloves</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b>, <b>and</b> <b>skurried</b> <b>away</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>darkness</b> <b>as</b> <b>hard</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>could</b> <b>go</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>took</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>gloves</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>hot</b>, <b>she</b> <b>kept</b> <b>fanning</b> <b>herself</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>talking</b>: “<b>Dear</b>, <b>dear</b>! <b>How</b> <b>queer</b> <b>everything</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b>-<b>day</b>! <b>And</b> <b>yesterday</b> <b>things</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>usual</b>. <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>been</b> <b>changed</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>night</b>? <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>think</b>: <b>was</b> <b>I</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>this</b> <b>morning</b>? <b>I</b> <b>almost</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>remember</b> <b>feeling</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>different</b>. <b>But</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b>, <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>question</b> <b>is</b>, <b>Who</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b>? <b>Ah</b>, <b>THAT</b>'<b>S</b> <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>puzzle</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>over</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>children</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b> <b>that</b> <b>were</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>age</b> <b>as</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>changed</b> <b>for</b> <b>any</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>Ada</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>her</b> <b>hair</b> <b>goes</b> <b>in</b> <b>such</b> <b>long</b> <b>ringlets</b>, <b>and</b> <b>mine</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>go</b> <b>in</b> <b>ringlets</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>; <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>Mabel</b>, <b>for</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>all</b> <b>sorts</b> <b>of</b> <b>things</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b>, <b>oh</b>! <b>she</b> <b>knows</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>little</b>! <b>Besides</b>, <b>SHE</b>'<b>S</b> <b>she</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>I</b>, <b>and</b>—<b>oh</b> <b>dear</b>, <b>how</b> <b>puzzling</b> <b>it</b> <b>all</b> <b>is</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>try</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>things</b> <b>I</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>see</b>: <b>four</b> <b>times</b> <b>five</b> <b>is</b> <b>twelve</b>, <b>and</b> <b>four</b> <b>times</b> <b>six</b> <b>is</b> <b>thirteen</b>, <b>and</b> <b>four</b> <b>times</b> <b>seven</b> <b>is</b>—<b>oh</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>never</b> <b>get</b> <b>to</b> <b>twenty</b> <b>at</b> <b>that</b> <b>rate</b>! <b>However</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Multiplication</b> <b>Table</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>signify</b>: <b>let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>try</b> <b>Geography</b>. <b>London</b> <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>capital</b> <b>of</b> <b>Paris</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Paris</b> <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>capital</b> <b>of</b> <b>Rome</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Rome</b>—<b>no</b>, <b>THAT</b>'<b>S</b> <b>all</b> <b>wrong</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>certain</b>! <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>changed</b> <b>for</b> <b>Mabel</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>try</b> <b>and</b> <b>say</b> «<b>How</b> <b>doth</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b>— «” <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>crossed</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>lap</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>were</b> <b>saying</b> <b>lessons</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>it</b>, <b>but</b> <b>her</b> <b>voice</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>hoarse</b> <b>and</b> <b>strange</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>come</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>doth</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>crocodile</b><br>
|
||||
<b>Improve</b> <b>his</b> <b>shining</b> <b>tail</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>pour</b> <b>the</b> <b>waters</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Nile</b><br>
|
||||
<b>On</b> <b>every</b> <b>golden</b> <b>scale</b>!<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>cheerfully</b> <b>he</b> <b>seems</b> <b>to</b> <b>grin</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>How</b> <b>neatly</b> <b>spread</b> <b>his</b> <b>claws</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>welcome</b> <b>little</b> <b>fishes</b> <b>in</b><br>
|
||||
<b>With</b> <b>gently</b> <b>smiling</b> <b>jaws</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>those</b> <b>are</b> <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>words</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>filled</b> <b>with</b> <b>tears</b> <b>again</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>Mabel</b> <b>after</b> <b>all</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>and</b> <b>live</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b> <b>poky</b> <b>little</b> <b>house</b>, <b>and</b> <b>have</b> <b>next</b> <b>to</b> <b>no</b> <b>toys</b> <b>to</b> <b>play</b> <b>with</b>, <b>and</b> <b>oh</b>! <b>ever</b> <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>lessons</b> <b>to</b> <b>learn</b>! <b>No</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>made</b> <b>up</b> <b>my</b> <b>mind</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>; <b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>Mabel</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>stay</b> <b>down</b> <b>here</b>! <b>It</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>their</b> <b>putting</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>saying</b> «<b>Come</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b>, <b>dear</b>!» <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>only</b> <b>look</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>say</b> «<b>Who</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>then</b>? <b>Tell</b> <b>me</b> <b>that</b> <b>first</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>like</b> <b>being</b> <b>that</b> <b>person</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>come</b> <b>up</b>: <b>if</b> <b>not</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>stay</b> <b>down</b> <b>here</b> <b>till</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>somebody</b> <b>else</b>"—<b>but</b>, <b>oh</b> <b>dear</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>burst</b> <b>of</b> <b>tears</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>wish</b> <b>they</b> <b>WOULD</b> <b>put</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>down</b>! <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>being</b> <b>all</b> <b>alone</b> <b>here</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b>'<b>s</b> <b>little</b> <b>white</b> <b>kid</b> <b>gloves</b> <b>while</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>talking</b>. “<b>How</b> <b>CAN</b> <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>done</b> <b>that</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>growing</b> <b>small</b> <b>again</b>.” <b>She</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b> <b>to</b> <b>measure</b> <b>herself</b> <b>by</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>that</b>, <b>as</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>guess</b>, <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>about</b> <b>two</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b> <b>shrinking</b> <b>rapidly</b>: <b>she</b> <b>soon</b> <b>found</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>cause</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>holding</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>dropped</b> <b>it</b> <b>hastily</b>, <b>just</b> <b>in</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>avoid</b> <b>shrinking</b> <b>away</b> <b>altogether</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>WAS</b> <b>a</b> <b>narrow</b> <b>escape</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>change</b>, <b>but</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>herself</b> <b>still</b> <b>in</b> <b>existence</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>now</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>with</b> <b>all</b> <b>speed</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b>: <b>but</b>, <b>alas</b>! <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b> <b>was</b> <b>shut</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b> <b>was</b> <b>lying</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>glass</b> <b>table</b> <b>as</b> <b>before</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>things</b> <b>are</b> <b>worse</b> <b>than</b> <b>ever</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>child</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>small</b> <b>as</b> <b>this</b> <b>before</b>, <b>never</b>! <b>And</b> <b>I</b> <b>declare</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>too</b> <b>bad</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>these</b> <b>words</b> <b>her</b> <b>foot</b> <b>slipped</b>, <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b>, <b>splash</b>! <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>chin</b> <b>in</b> <b>salt</b> <b>water</b>. <b>He</b> <b>first</b> <b>idea</b> <b>was</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>somehow</b> <b>fallen</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b> <b>case</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>go</b> <b>back</b> <b>by</b> <b>railway</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>. (<b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>seaside</b> <b>once</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>life</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>come</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>general</b> <b>conclusion</b>, <b>that</b> <b>wherever</b> <b>you</b> <b>go</b> <b>to</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>English</b> <b>coast</b> <b>you</b> <b>find</b> <b>a</b> <b>number</b> <b>of</b> <b>bathing</b> <b>machines</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>, <b>some</b> <b>children</b> <b>digging</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sand</b> <b>with</b> <b>wooden</b> <b>spades</b>, <b>then</b> <b>a</b> <b>row</b> <b>of</b> <b>lodging</b> <b>houses</b>, <b>and</b> <b>behind</b> <b>them</b> <b>a</b> <b>railway</b> <b>station</b>.) <b>However</b>, <b>she</b> <b>soon</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>of</b> <b>tears</b> <b>which</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>wept</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>nine</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>cried</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>swam</b> <b>about</b>, <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>her</b> <b>way</b> <b>out</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>be</b> <b>punished</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>now</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b>, <b>by</b> <b>being</b> <b>drowned</b> <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>own</b> <b>tears</b>! <b>That</b> <b>WILL</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>queer</b> <b>thing</b>, <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>sure</b>! <b>However</b>, <b>everything</b> <b>is</b> <b>queer</b> <b>to</b>-<b>day</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Just</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>something</b> <b>splashing</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>way</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>swam</b> <b>nearer</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>: <b>at</b> <b>first</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>walrus</b> <b>or</b> <b>hippopotamus</b>, <b>but</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>how</b> <b>small</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>soon</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>only</b> <b>a</b> <b>mouse</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>slipped</b> <b>in</b> <b>like</b> <b>herself</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Would</b> <b>it</b> <b>be</b> <b>of</b> <b>any</b> <b>use</b>, <b>now</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>to</b> <b>this</b> <b>mouse</b>? <b>Everything</b> <b>is</b> <b>so</b> <b>out</b>-<b>of</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>way</b> <b>down</b> <b>here</b>, <b>that</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b> <b>very</b> <b>likely</b> <b>it</b> <b>can</b> <b>talk</b>: <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>harm</b> <b>in</b> <b>trying</b>.” <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b>: “<b>O</b> <b>Mouse</b>, <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>pool</b>? <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>very</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>swimming</b> <b>about</b> <b>here</b>, <b>O</b> <b>Mouse</b>!” (<b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>this</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>speaking</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>mouse</b>: <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>done</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b> <b>before</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>having</b> <b>seen</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>brother</b>'<b>s</b> <b>Latin</b> <b>Grammar</b>, “<b>A</b> <b>mouse</b>—<b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>mouse</b>—<b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>mouse</b>—<b>a</b> <b>mouse</b>—<b>O</b> <b>mouse</b>!” <b>The</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>rather</b> <b>inquisitively</b>, <b>and</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>to</b> <b>wink</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>little</b> <b>eyes</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Perhaps</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>understand</b> <b>English</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>daresay</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>French</b> <b>mouse</b>, <b>come</b> <b>over</b> <b>with</b> <b>William</b> <b>the</b> <b>Conqueror</b>.” (<b>For</b>, <b>with</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>knowledge</b> <b>of</b> <b>history</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>very</b> <b>clear</b> <b>notion</b> <b>how</b> <b>long</b> <b>ago</b> <b>anything</b> <b>had</b> <b>happened</b>.) <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>again</b>: “<b>Ou</b> <b>est</b> <b>ma</b> <b>chatte</b>?” <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>sentence</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>French</b> <b>lesson</b>-<b>book</b>. <b>The</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>gave</b> <b>a</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>leap</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>water</b>, <b>and</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>quiver</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b> <b>with</b> <b>fright</b>. “<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>hastily</b>, <b>afraid</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>hurt</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>animal</b>'<b>s</b> <b>feelings</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>quite</b> <b>forgot</b> <b>you</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>cats</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>like</b> <b>cats</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>shrill</b>, <b>passionate</b> <b>voice</b>. “<b>Would</b> <b>YOU</b> <b>like</b> <b>cats</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>me</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>perhaps</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>soothing</b> <b>tone</b>: “<b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>angry</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>. <b>And</b> <b>yet</b> <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>show</b> <b>you</b> <b>our</b> <b>cat</b> <b>Dinah</b>: <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>take</b> <b>a</b> <b>fancy</b> <b>to</b> <b>cats</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>only</b> <b>see</b> <b>her</b>. <b>She</b> <b>is</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>dear</b> <b>quiet</b> <b>thing</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>half</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>swam</b> <b>lazily</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>sits</b> <b>purring</b> <b>so</b> <b>nicely</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>fire</b>, <b>licking</b> <b>her</b> <b>paws</b> <b>and</b> <b>washing</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>—<b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>is</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>nice</b> <b>soft</b> <b>thing</b> <b>to</b> <b>nurse</b>—<b>and</b> <b>she</b>'<b>s</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>capital</b> <b>one</b> <b>for</b> <b>catching</b> <b>mice</b>—<b>oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>again</b>, <b>for</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>was</b> <b>bristling</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>certain</b> <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>really</b> <b>offended</b>. “<b>We</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>rather</b> <b>not</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>We</b> <b>indeed</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>tail</b>. “<b>As</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>would</b> <b>talk</b> <b>on</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>subject</b>! <b>Our</b> <b>family</b> <b>always</b> <b>HATED</b> <b>cats</b>: <b>nasty</b>, <b>low</b>, <b>vulgar</b> <b>things</b>! <b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>let</b> <b>me</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b> <b>again</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b> <b>to</b> <b>change</b> <b>the</b> <b>subject</b> <b>of</b> <b>conversation</b>. “<b>Are</b> <b>you</b>—<b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>fond</b>—<b>of</b>—<b>of</b> <b>dogs</b>?” <b>The</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>answer</b>, <b>so</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>eagerly</b>: “<b>There</b> <b>is</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>nice</b> <b>little</b> <b>dog</b> <b>near</b> <b>our</b> <b>house</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>show</b> <b>you</b>! <b>A</b> <b>little</b> <b>bright</b>-<b>eyed</b> <b>terrier</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>with</b> <b>oh</b>, <b>such</b> <b>long</b> <b>curly</b> <b>brown</b> <b>hair</b>! <b>And</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>fetch</b> <b>things</b> <b>when</b> <b>you</b> <b>throw</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>sit</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>beg</b> <b>for</b> <b>its</b> <b>dinner</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>sorts</b> <b>of</b> <b>thins</b>—<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b> <b>half</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>—<b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>belongs</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>farmer</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>says</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>so</b> <b>useful</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>worth</b> <b>a</b> <b>hundred</b> <b>pounds</b>! <b>He</b> <b>says</b> <b>it</b> <b>kills</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>rats</b> <b>and</b>—<b>oh</b> <b>dear</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>sorrowful</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>offended</b> <b>it</b> <b>again</b>!” <b>For</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>was</b> <b>swimming</b> <b>away</b> <b>from</b> <b>her</b> <b>as</b> <b>hard</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>could</b> <b>go</b>, <b>and</b> <b>making</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>commotion</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>went</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>called</b> <b>softly</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>, “<b>Mouse</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>Do</b> <b>come</b> <b>back</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>we</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>cats</b> <b>or</b> <b>dogs</b> <b>either</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>them</b>!” <b>When</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>heard</b> <b>this</b>, <b>it</b> <b>turned</b> <b>round</b> <b>and</b> <b>swam</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>: <b>its</b> <b>face</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>pale</b> (<b>with</b> <b>passion</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b>), <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>Let</b> <b>us</b> <b>get</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>shore</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>my</b> <b>history</b>, <b>and</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>understand</b> <b>why</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>I</b> <b>hate</b> <b>cats</b> <b>and</b> <b>dogs</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>high</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>was</b> <b>getting</b> <b>quite</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>birds</b> <b>and</b> <b>animals</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>fallen</b> <b>into</b> <b>it</b>: <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>a</b> <b>Duck</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>Dodo</b>, <b>a</b> <b>Lory</b> <b>and</b> <b>an</b> <b>Eaglet</b>, <b>and</b> <b>several</b> <b>other</b> <b>curious</b> <b>creatures</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>led</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>party</b> <b>swam</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>shore</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>III</b><br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> <b>CAUCUS</b>-<b>RACE</b> <b>AND</b> <b>A</b> <b>LONG</b> <b>TALE</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>They</b> <b>were</b> <b>indeed</b> <b>a</b> <b>queer</b>-<b>looking</b> <b>party</b> <b>that</b> <b>assembled</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>bank</b>—<b>the</b> <b>birds</b> <b>with</b> <b>draggled</b> <b>feathers</b>, <b>the</b> <b>animals</b> <b>with</b> <b>their</b> <b>fur</b> <b>clinging</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>dripping</b> <b>wet</b>, <b>cross</b>, <b>and</b> <b>uncomfortable</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>first</b> <b>question</b> <b>of</b> <b>course</b> <b>was</b>, <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>dry</b> <b>again</b>: <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>consultation</b> <b>about</b> <b>this</b>, <b>and</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>it</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>quite</b> <b>natural</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>herself</b> <b>talking</b> <b>familiarly</b> <b>with</b> <b>them</b>, <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>known</b> <b>them</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>life</b>. <b>Indeed</b>, <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>argument</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lory</b>, <b>who</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>turned</b> <b>sulky</b>, <b>and</b> <b>would</b> <b>only</b> <b>say</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>older</b> <b>than</b> <b>you</b>, <b>and</b> <b>must</b> <b>know</b> <b>better</b>'; <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>allow</b> <b>without</b> <b>knowing</b> <b>how</b> <b>old</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lory</b> <b>positively</b> <b>refused</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>its</b> <b>age</b>, <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>more</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>said</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>At</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>, <b>who</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>person</b> <b>of</b> <b>authority</b> <b>among</b> <b>them</b>, <b>called</b> <b>out</b>, “<b>Sit</b> <b>down</b>, <b>all</b> <b>of</b> <b>you</b>, <b>and</b> <b>listen</b> <b>to</b> <b>me</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>LL</b> <b>soon</b> <b>make</b> <b>you</b> <b>dry</b> <b>enough</b>!” <b>They</b> <b>all</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>ring</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>kept</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>fixed</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>sure</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>catch</b> <b>a</b> <b>bad</b> <b>cold</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>get</b> <b>dry</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ahem</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>important</b> <b>air</b>, “<b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>all</b> <b>ready</b>? <b>This</b> <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>driest</b> <b>thing</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Silence</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>please</b>! «<b>William</b> <b>the</b> <b>Conqueror</b>, <b>whose</b> <b>cause</b> <b>was</b> <b>favoured</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>pope</b>, <b>was</b> <b>soon</b> <b>submitted</b> <b>to</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>English</b>, <b>who</b> <b>wanted</b> <b>leaders</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>of</b> <b>late</b> <b>much</b> <b>accustomed</b> <b>to</b> <b>usurpation</b> <b>and</b> <b>conquest</b>. <b>Edwin</b> <b>and</b> <b>Morcar</b>, <b>the</b> <b>earls</b> <b>of</b> <b>Mercia</b> <b>and</b> <b>Northumbria</b>- -"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ugh</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lory</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>shiver</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>, <b>frowning</b>, <b>but</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>: “<b>Did</b> <b>you</b> <b>speak</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>I</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lory</b> <b>hastily</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>thought</b> <b>you</b> <b>did</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>. “—<b>I</b> <b>proceed</b>. «<b>Edwin</b> <b>and</b> <b>Morcar</b>, <b>the</b> <b>earls</b> <b>of</b> <b>Mercia</b> <b>and</b> <b>Northumbria</b>, <b>declared</b> <b>for</b> <b>him</b>: <b>and</b> <b>even</b> <b>Stigand</b>, <b>the</b> <b>patriotic</b> <b>archbishop</b> <b>of</b> <b>Canterbury</b>, <b>found</b> <b>it</b> <b>advisable</b>—"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Found</b> <b>WHAT</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duck</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Found</b> <b>IT</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>replied</b> <b>rather</b> <b>crossly</b>: “<b>of</b> <b>course</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> «<b>it</b>» <b>means</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> «<b>it</b>» <b>means</b> <b>well</b> <b>enough</b>, <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>find</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duck</b>: “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>generally</b> <b>a</b> <b>frog</b> <b>or</b> <b>a</b> <b>worm</b>. <b>The</b> <b>question</b> <b>is</b>, <b>what</b> <b>did</b> <b>the</b> <b>archbishop</b> <b>find</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>notice</b> <b>this</b> <b>question</b>, <b>but</b> <b>hurriedly</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “"—<b>found</b> <b>it</b> <b>advisable</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>with</b> <b>Edgar</b> <b>Atheling</b> <b>to</b> <b>meet</b> <b>William</b> <b>and</b> <b>offer</b> <b>him</b> <b>the</b> <b>crown</b>. <b>William</b>'<b>s</b> <b>conduct</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b> <b>was</b> <b>moderate</b>. <b>But</b> <b>the</b> <b>insolence</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>Normans</b>—» <b>How</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>getting</b> <b>on</b> <b>now</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>?” <b>it</b> <b>continued</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>spoke</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>As</b> <b>wet</b> <b>as</b> <b>ever</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>tone</b>: “<b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>dry</b> <b>me</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>that</b> <b>case</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>solemnly</b>, <b>rising</b> <b>to</b> <b>its</b> <b>feet</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>move</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>meeting</b> <b>adjourn</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>immediate</b> <b>adoption</b> <b>of</b> <b>more</b> <b>energetic</b> <b>remedies</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Speak</b> <b>English</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Eaglet</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>the</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>of</b> <b>half</b> <b>those</b> <b>long</b> <b>words</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>what</b>'<b>s</b> <b>more</b>, <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>you</b> <b>do</b> <b>either</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>the</b> <b>Eaglet</b> <b>bent</b> <b>down</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b> <b>to</b> <b>hide</b> <b>a</b> <b>smile</b>: <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>birds</b> <b>tittered</b> <b>audibly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>offended</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>thing</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>us</b> <b>dry</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>Caucus</b>-<b>race</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>IS</b> <b>a</b> <b>Caucus</b>-<b>race</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; <b>not</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>wanted</b> <b>much</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b>, <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>had</b> <b>paused</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>thought</b> <b>that</b> <b>SOMEBODY</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b>, <b>and</b> <b>no</b> <b>one</b> <b>else</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>inclined</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>anything</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b>, “<b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>way</b> <b>to</b> <b>explain</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b>.” (<b>And</b>, <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>might</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>thing</b> <b>yourself</b>, <b>some</b> <b>winter</b> <b>day</b>, <b>I</b> <b>will</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>how</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>managed</b> <b>it</b>.)<br>
|
||||
<b>First</b> <b>it</b> <b>marked</b> <b>out</b> <b>a</b> <b>race</b>-<b>course</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>circle</b>, (`<b>the</b> <b>exact</b> <b>shape</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>matter</b>,” <b>it</b> <b>said</b>,) <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>party</b> <b>were</b> <b>placed</b> <b>along</b> <b>the</b> <b>course</b>, <b>here</b> <b>and</b> <b>there</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> “<b>One</b>, <b>two</b>, <b>three</b>, <b>and</b> <b>away</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>they</b> <b>began</b> <b>running</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>liked</b>, <b>and</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>liked</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>easy</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b> <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>race</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>running</b> <b>half</b> <b>an</b> <b>hour</b> <b>or</b> <b>so</b>, <b>and</b> <b>were</b> <b>quite</b> <b>dry</b> <b>again</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>called</b> <b>out</b> “<b>The</b> <b>race</b> <b>is</b> <b>over</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>round</b> <b>it</b>, <b>panting</b>, <b>and</b> <b>asking</b>, “<b>But</b> <b>who</b> <b>has</b> <b>won</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>question</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>answer</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>deal</b> <b>of</b> <b>thought</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>sat</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>time</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>finger</b> <b>pressed</b> <b>upon</b> <b>its</b> <b>forehead</b> (<b>the</b> <b>position</b> <b>in</b> <b>which</b> <b>you</b> <b>usually</b> <b>see</b> <b>Shakespeare</b>, <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pictures</b> <b>of</b> <b>him</b>), <b>while</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>waited</b> <b>in</b> <b>silence</b>. <b>At</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>EVERYBODY</b> <b>has</b> <b>won</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>prizes</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>who</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>give</b> <b>the</b> <b>prizes</b>?” <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>chorus</b> <b>of</b> <b>voices</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>, <b>SHE</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b>, <b>pointing</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>finger</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>party</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b>, <b>calling</b> <b>out</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>confused</b> <b>way</b>, “<b>Prizes</b>! <b>Prizes</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>idea</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>, <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>despair</b> <b>she</b> <b>put</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>pocket</b>, <b>and</b> <b>pulled</b> <b>out</b> <b>a</b> <b>box</b> <b>of</b> <b>comfits</b>, (<b>luckily</b> <b>the</b> <b>salt</b> <b>water</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>got</b> <b>into</b> <b>it</b>), <b>and</b> <b>handed</b> <b>them</b> <b>round</b> <b>as</b> <b>prizes</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>exactly</b> <b>one</b> <b>a</b>-<b>piece</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>she</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>a</b> <b>prize</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>replied</b> <b>very</b> <b>gravely</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>else</b> <b>have</b> <b>you</b> <b>got</b> <b>in</b> <b>your</b> <b>pocket</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Only</b> <b>a</b> <b>thimble</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>sadly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hand</b> <b>it</b> <b>over</b> <b>here</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Then</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b> <b>once</b> <b>more</b>, <b>while</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dodo</b> <b>solemnly</b> <b>presented</b> <b>the</b> <b>thimble</b>, <b>saying</b> “<b>We</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>acceptance</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>elegant</b> <b>thimble</b>'; <b>and</b>, <b>when</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>finished</b> <b>this</b> <b>short</b> <b>speech</b>, <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>cheered</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>thing</b> <b>very</b> <b>absurd</b>, <b>but</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>looked</b> <b>so</b> <b>grave</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>dare</b> <b>to</b> <b>laugh</b>; <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>anything</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>, <b>she</b> <b>simply</b> <b>bowed</b>, <b>and</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>thimble</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>as</b> <b>solemn</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>next</b> <b>thing</b> <b>was</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>the</b> <b>comfits</b>: <b>this</b> <b>caused</b> <b>some</b> <b>noise</b> <b>and</b> <b>confusion</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>large</b> <b>birds</b> <b>complained</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>taste</b> <b>theirs</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>small</b> <b>ones</b> <b>choked</b> <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>patted</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>back</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>again</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>ring</b>, <b>and</b> <b>begged</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>them</b> <b>something</b> <b>more</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>promised</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b> <b>your</b> <b>history</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>why</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>you</b> <b>hate</b>—<b>C</b> <b>and</b> <b>D</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>added</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>whisper</b>, <b>half</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>offended</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Mine</b> <b>is</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>sad</b> <b>tale</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>sighing</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>IS</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>tail</b>, <b>certainly</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>down</b> <b>with</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>'<b>s</b> <b>tail</b>” “<b>but</b> <b>why</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>call</b> <b>it</b> <b>sad</b>?” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>kept</b> <b>on</b> <b>puzzling</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b> <b>while</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>was</b> <b>speaking</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>her</b> <b>idea</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>tale</b> <b>was</b> <b>something</b> <b>like</b> <b>this</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Fury</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>mouse</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>That</b> <b>he</b> <b>met</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>,<br>
|
||||
«<b>Let</b> <b>us</b> <b>both</b> <b>go</b> <b>to</b> <b>law</b>: <b>I</b> <b>will</b> <b>prosecute</b> <b>YOU</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
—<b>Come</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>take</b> <b>no</b> <b>denial</b>;<br>
|
||||
<b>We</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>a</b> <b>trial</b>:<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>really</b> <b>this</b> <b>morning</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>.»<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Said</b> <b>the</b> <b>mouse</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>cur</b>,<br>
|
||||
«<b>Such</b> <b>a</b> <b>trial</b>, <b>dear</b> <b>Sir</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>With</b> <b>no</b> <b>jury</b> <b>or</b> <b>judge</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>wasting</b> <b>our</b> <b>breath</b>.»<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
«<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>judge</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>jury</b>,»<br>
|
||||
<b>Said</b> <b>cunning</b> <b>old</b> <b>Fury</b>:<br>
|
||||
«<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>cause</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>and</b> <b>condemn</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>death</b>.»<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>not</b> <b>attending</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>severely</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>of</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>very</b> <b>humbly</b>: “<b>you</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>fifth</b> <b>bend</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>NOT</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>, <b>sharply</b> <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>angrily</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>knot</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>always</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>herself</b> <b>useful</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looking</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b>. “<b>Oh</b>, <b>do</b> <b>let</b> <b>me</b> <b>help</b> <b>to</b> <b>undo</b> <b>it</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>do</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sort</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b>, <b>getting</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>walking</b> <b>away</b>. “<b>You</b> <b>insult</b> <b>me</b> <b>by</b> <b>talking</b> <b>such</b> <b>nonsense</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mean</b> <b>it</b>!” <b>pleaded</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>But</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>so</b> <b>easily</b> <b>offended</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>only</b> <b>growled</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Please</b> <b>come</b> <b>back</b> <b>and</b> <b>finish</b> <b>your</b> <b>story</b>!” <b>Alice</b> <b>called</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>others</b> <b>all</b> <b>joined</b> <b>in</b> <b>chorus</b>, “<b>Yes</b>, <b>please</b> <b>do</b>!” <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>only</b> <b>shook</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b> <b>impatiently</b>, <b>and</b> <b>walked</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>quicker</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>pity</b> <b>it</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>stay</b>!” <b>sighed</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lory</b>, <b>as</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>; <b>and</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> <b>Crab</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>of</b> <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>daughter</b> “<b>Ah</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>Let</b> <b>this</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>lesson</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b> <b>never</b> <b>to</b> <b>lose</b> <b>YOUR</b> <b>temper</b>!” “<b>Hold</b> <b>your</b> <b>tongue</b>, <b>Ma</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>young</b> <b>Crab</b>, <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>snappishly</b>. “<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>enough</b> <b>to</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>patience</b> <b>of</b> <b>an</b> <b>oyster</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>our</b> <b>Dinah</b> <b>here</b>, <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>I</b> <b>do</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>aloud</b>, <b>addressing</b> <b>nobody</b> <b>in</b> <b>particular</b>. “<b>She</b>'<b>d</b> <b>soon</b> <b>fetch</b> <b>it</b> <b>back</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>who</b> <b>is</b> <b>Dinah</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>might</b> <b>venture</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>the</b> <b>question</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lory</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b> <b>eagerly</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>always</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>pet</b>: “<b>Dinah</b>'<b>s</b> <b>our</b> <b>cat</b>. <b>And</b> <b>she</b>'<b>s</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>capital</b> <b>one</b> <b>for</b> <b>catching</b> <b>mice</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b>! <b>And</b> <b>oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b> <b>her</b> <b>after</b> <b>the</b> <b>birds</b>! <b>Why</b>, <b>she</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>eat</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bird</b> <b>as</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>speech</b> <b>caused</b> <b>a</b> <b>remarkable</b> <b>sensation</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>party</b>. <b>Some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>birds</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>off</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>: <b>one</b> <b>the</b> <b>old</b> <b>Magpie</b> <b>began</b> <b>wrapping</b> <b>itself</b> <b>up</b> <b>very</b> <b>carefully</b>, <b>remarking</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>really</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>getting</b> <b>home</b>; <b>the</b> <b>night</b>-<b>air</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>suit</b> <b>my</b> <b>throat</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>Canary</b> <b>called</b> <b>out</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b> <b>to</b> <b>its</b> <b>children</b>, “<b>Come</b> <b>away</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dears</b>! <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>high</b> <b>time</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>in</b> <b>bed</b>!” <b>On</b> <b>various</b> <b>pretexts</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>moved</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>soon</b> <b>left</b> <b>alone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mentioned</b> <b>Dinah</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>tone</b>. “<b>Nobody</b> <b>seems</b> <b>to</b> <b>like</b> <b>her</b>, <b>down</b> <b>here</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>she</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>cat</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b>! <b>Oh</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b> <b>Dinah</b>! <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>ever</b> <b>see</b> <b>you</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>here</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>cry</b> <b>again</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>very</b> <b>lonely</b> <b>and</b> <b>low</b>-<b>spirited</b>. <b>In</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>while</b>, <b>however</b>, <b>she</b> <b>again</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>pattering</b> <b>of</b> <b>footsteps</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b> <b>eagerly</b>, <b>half</b> <b>hoping</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>had</b> <b>changed</b> <b>his</b> <b>mind</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>coming</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>finish</b> <b>his</b> <b>story</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>IV</b><br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> <b>RABBIT</b> <b>SENDS</b> <b>IN</b> <b>A</b> <b>LITTLE</b> <b>BILL</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>, <b>trotting</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>back</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looking</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>about</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>went</b>, <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>lost</b> <b>something</b>; <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>it</b> <b>muttering</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b> “<b>The</b> <b>Duchess</b>! <b>The</b> <b>Duchess</b>! <b>Oh</b> <b>my</b> <b>dear</b> <b>paws</b>! <b>Oh</b> <b>my</b> <b>fur</b> <b>and</b> <b>whiskers</b>! <b>She</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>get</b> <b>me</b> <b>executed</b>, <b>as</b> <b>sure</b> <b>as</b> <b>ferrets</b> <b>are</b> <b>ferrets</b>! <b>Where</b> <b>CAN</b> <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>dropped</b> <b>them</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b>?” <b>Alice</b> <b>guessed</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>white</b> <b>kid</b> <b>gloves</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>very</b> <b>good</b>-<b>naturedly</b> <b>began</b> <b>hunting</b> <b>about</b> <b>for</b> <b>them</b>, <b>but</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>nowhere</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>seen</b>—<b>everything</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>changed</b> <b>since</b> <b>her</b> <b>swim</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>glass</b> <b>table</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b>, <b>had</b> <b>vanished</b> <b>completely</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>hunting</b> <b>about</b>, <b>and</b> <b>called</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>angry</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>Why</b>, <b>Mary</b> <b>Ann</b>, <b>what</b> <b>ARE</b> <b>you</b> <b>doing</b> <b>out</b> <b>here</b>? <b>Run</b> <b>home</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b>, <b>and</b> <b>fetch</b> <b>me</b> <b>a</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>gloves</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>fan</b>! <b>Quick</b>, <b>now</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>off</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>direction</b> <b>it</b> <b>pointed</b> <b>to</b>, <b>without</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>explain</b> <b>the</b> <b>mistake</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>made</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>He</b> <b>took</b> <b>me</b> <b>for</b> <b>his</b> <b>housemaid</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b>. “<b>How</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>he</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>when</b> <b>he</b> <b>finds</b> <b>out</b> <b>who</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b>! <b>But</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>take</b> <b>him</b> <b>his</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>gloves</b>—<b>that</b> <b>is</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>find</b> <b>them</b>.” <b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>neat</b> <b>little</b> <b>house</b>, <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>of</b> <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>bright</b> <b>brass</b> <b>plate</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b> “<b>W</b>. <b>RABBIT</b>” <b>engraved</b> <b>upon</b> <b>it</b>. <b>She</b> <b>went</b> <b>in</b> <b>without</b> <b>knocking</b>, <b>and</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>upstairs</b>, <b>in</b> <b>great</b> <b>fear</b> <b>lest</b> <b>she</b> <b>should</b> <b>meet</b> <b>the</b> <b>real</b> <b>Mary</b> <b>Ann</b>, <b>and</b> <b>be</b> <b>turned</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>found</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>gloves</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>queer</b> <b>it</b> <b>seems</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>going</b> <b>messages</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>rabbit</b>! <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>Dinah</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>sending</b> <b>me</b> <b>on</b> <b>messages</b> <b>next</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>fancying</b> <b>the</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>thing</b> <b>that</b> <b>would</b> <b>happen</b>: “"<b>Miss</b> <b>Alice</b>! <b>Come</b> <b>here</b> <b>directly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>get</b> <b>ready</b> <b>for</b> <b>your</b> <b>walk</b>!» «<b>Coming</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b>, <b>nurse</b>! <b>But</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>mouse</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b>.» <b>Only</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>that</b> <b>they</b>'<b>d</b> <b>let</b> <b>Dinah</b> <b>stop</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>began</b> <b>ordering</b> <b>people</b> <b>about</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>By</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>found</b> <b>her</b> <b>way</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>tidy</b> <b>little</b> <b>room</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>table</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>and</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> (<b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>hoped</b>) <b>a</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>two</b> <b>or</b> <b>three</b> <b>pairs</b> <b>of</b> <b>tiny</b> <b>white</b> <b>kid</b> <b>gloves</b>: <b>she</b> <b>took</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>gloves</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>leave</b> <b>the</b> <b>room</b>, <b>when</b> <b>her</b> <b>eye</b> <b>fell</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>that</b> <b>stood</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>looking</b>- <b>glass</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>label</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> “<b>DRINK</b> <b>ME</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>nevertheless</b> <b>she</b> <b>uncorked</b> <b>it</b> <b>and</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>lips</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>SOMETHING</b> <b>interesting</b> <b>is</b> <b>sure</b> <b>to</b> <b>happen</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>whenever</b> <b>I</b> <b>eat</b> <b>or</b> <b>drink</b> <b>anything</b>; <b>so</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>just</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>this</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>does</b>. <b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>hope</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>make</b> <b>me</b> <b>grow</b> <b>large</b> <b>again</b>, <b>for</b> <b>really</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>quite</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>being</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>tiny</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>did</b> <b>so</b> <b>indeed</b>, <b>and</b> <b>much</b> <b>sooner</b> <b>than</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>expected</b>: <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>drunk</b> <b>half</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottle</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>pressing</b> <b>against</b> <b>the</b> <b>ceiling</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>stoop</b> <b>to</b> <b>save</b> <b>her</b> <b>neck</b> <b>from</b> <b>being</b> <b>broken</b>. <b>She</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>put</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottle</b>, <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>quite</b> <b>enough</b>—<b>I</b> <b>hope</b> <b>I</b> <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b> <b>grow</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b>—<b>As</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>, <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>—<b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>drunk</b> <b>quite</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alas</b>! <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>late</b> <b>to</b> <b>wish</b> <b>that</b>! <b>She</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>growing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>growing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>kneel</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>floor</b>: <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>minute</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>even</b> <b>room</b> <b>for</b> <b>this</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>the</b> <b>effect</b> <b>of</b> <b>lying</b> <b>down</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>elbow</b> <b>against</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>arm</b> <b>curled</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>. <b>Still</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>growing</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>last</b> <b>resource</b>, <b>she</b> <b>put</b> <b>one</b> <b>arm</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>and</b> <b>one</b> <b>foot</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>Now</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>do</b> <b>no</b> <b>more</b>, <b>whatever</b> <b>happens</b>. <b>What</b> <b>WILL</b> <b>become</b> <b>of</b> <b>me</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>Luckily</b> <b>for</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>magic</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>had</b> <b>now</b> <b>had</b> <b>its</b> <b>full</b> <b>effect</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>grew</b> <b>no</b> <b>larger</b>: <b>still</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>uncomfortable</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>there</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>chance</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>ever</b> <b>getting</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>room</b> <b>again</b>, <b>no</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>unhappy</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>much</b> <b>pleasanter</b> <b>at</b> <b>home</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>when</b> <b>one</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>always</b> <b>growing</b> <b>larger</b> <b>and</b> <b>smaller</b>, <b>and</b> <b>being</b> <b>ordered</b> <b>about</b> <b>by</b> <b>mice</b> <b>and</b> <b>rabbits</b>. <b>I</b> <b>almost</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>gone</b> <b>down</b> <b>that</b> <b>rabbit</b>-<b>hole</b>—<b>and</b> <b>yet</b>—<b>and</b> <b>yet</b>—<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>rather</b> <b>curious</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>this</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>life</b>! <b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>CAN</b> <b>have</b> <b>happened</b> <b>to</b> <b>me</b>! <b>When</b> <b>I</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>read</b> <b>fairy</b>-<b>tales</b>, <b>I</b> <b>fancied</b> <b>that</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>thing</b> <b>never</b> <b>happened</b>, <b>and</b> <b>now</b> <b>here</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b> <b>of</b> <b>one</b>! <b>There</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>book</b> <b>written</b> <b>about</b> <b>me</b>, <b>that</b> <b>there</b> <b>ought</b>! <b>And</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>grow</b> <b>up</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>write</b> <b>one</b>—<b>but</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>grown</b> <b>up</b> <b>now</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>added</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>sorrowful</b> <b>tone</b>; “<b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>room</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>up</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b> <b>HERE</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>then</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>shall</b> <b>I</b> <b>NEVER</b> <b>get</b> <b>any</b> <b>older</b> <b>than</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>now</b>? <b>That</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>comfort</b>, <b>one</b> <b>way</b>—<b>never</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> <b>woman</b>- -<b>but</b> <b>then</b>—<b>always</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>lessons</b> <b>to</b> <b>learn</b>! <b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>THAT</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>you</b> <b>foolish</b> <b>Alice</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>answered</b> <b>herself</b>. “<b>How</b> <b>can</b> <b>you</b> <b>learn</b> <b>lessons</b> <b>in</b> <b>here</b>? <b>Why</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>room</b> <b>for</b> <b>YOU</b>, <b>and</b> <b>no</b> <b>room</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>for</b> <b>any</b> <b>lesson</b>-<b>books</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>taking</b> <b>first</b> <b>one</b> <b>side</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>and</b> <b>making</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>conversation</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>altogether</b>; <b>but</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>voice</b> <b>outside</b>, <b>and</b> <b>stopped</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Mary</b> <b>Ann</b>! <b>Mary</b> <b>Ann</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>voice</b>. “<b>Fetch</b> <b>me</b> <b>my</b> <b>gloves</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b>!” <b>Then</b> <b>came</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>pattering</b> <b>of</b> <b>feet</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>stairs</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>knew</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>coming</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>trembled</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>shook</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>, <b>quite</b> <b>forgetting</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>about</b> <b>a</b> <b>thousand</b> <b>times</b> <b>as</b> <b>large</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>reason</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Presently</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>came</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>and</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>open</b> <b>it</b>; <b>but</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>opened</b> <b>inwards</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b> <b>elbow</b> <b>was</b> <b>pressed</b> <b>hard</b> <b>against</b> <b>it</b>, <b>that</b> <b>attempt</b> <b>proved</b> <b>a</b> <b>failure</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>heard</b> <b>it</b> <b>say</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b> “<b>Then</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>go</b> <b>round</b> <b>and</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>THAT</b> <b>you</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b>” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>after</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>fancied</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>just</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>she</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>spread</b> <b>out</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>and</b> <b>made</b> <b>a</b> <b>snatch</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>. <b>She</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>get</b> <b>hold</b> <b>of</b> <b>anything</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>shriek</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>fall</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>crash</b> <b>of</b> <b>broken</b> <b>glass</b>, <b>from</b> <b>which</b> <b>she</b> <b>concluded</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>possible</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>fallen</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>cucumber</b>-<b>frame</b>, <b>or</b> <b>something</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sort</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Next</b> <b>came</b> <b>an</b> <b>angry</b> <b>voice</b>—<b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b>'<b>s</b>—`<b>Pat</b>! <b>Pat</b>! <b>Where</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>And</b> <b>then</b> <b>a</b> <b>voice</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>heard</b> <b>before</b>, “<b>Sure</b> <b>then</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>here</b>! <b>Digging</b> <b>for</b> <b>apples</b>, <b>yer</b> <b>honour</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Digging</b> <b>for</b> <b>apples</b>, <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>angrily</b>. “<b>Here</b>! <b>Come</b> <b>and</b> <b>help</b> <b>me</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>THIS</b>!” (<b>Sounds</b> <b>of</b> <b>more</b> <b>broken</b> <b>glass</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>Now</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b>, <b>Pat</b>, <b>what</b>'<b>s</b> <b>that</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Sure</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>an</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>yer</b> <b>honour</b>!” (<b>He</b> <b>pronounced</b> <b>it</b> “<b>arrum</b>.')<br>
|
||||
“<b>An</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>you</b> <b>goose</b>! <b>Who</b> <b>ever</b> <b>saw</b> <b>one</b> <b>that</b> <b>size</b>? <b>Why</b>, <b>it</b> <b>fills</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>window</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Sure</b>, <b>it</b> <b>does</b>, <b>yer</b> <b>honour</b>: <b>but</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>an</b> <b>arm</b> <b>for</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>got</b> <b>no</b> <b>business</b> <b>there</b>, <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b>: <b>go</b> <b>and</b> <b>take</b> <b>it</b> <b>away</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>silence</b> <b>after</b> <b>this</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>only</b> <b>hear</b> <b>whispers</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b>; <b>such</b> <b>as</b>, “<b>Sure</b>, <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b>, <b>yer</b> <b>honour</b>, <b>at</b> <b>all</b>, <b>at</b> <b>all</b>!” “<b>Do</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b>, <b>you</b> <b>coward</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>she</b> <b>spread</b> <b>out</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>made</b> <b>another</b> <b>snatch</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>. <b>This</b> <b>time</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>TWO</b> <b>little</b> <b>shrieks</b>, <b>and</b> <b>more</b> <b>sounds</b> <b>of</b> <b>broken</b> <b>glass</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>number</b> <b>of</b> <b>cucumber</b>-<b>frames</b> <b>there</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b>!” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>do</b> <b>next</b>! <b>As</b> <b>for</b> <b>pulling</b> <b>me</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>wish</b> <b>they</b> <b>COULD</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>stay</b> <b>in</b> <b>here</b> <b>any</b> <b>longer</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>waited</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>without</b> <b>hearing</b> <b>anything</b> <b>more</b>: <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>came</b> <b>a</b> <b>rumbling</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>cartwheels</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>sound</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>many</b> <b>voice</b> <b>all</b> <b>talking</b> <b>together</b>: <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b>: “<b>Where</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>ladder</b>?—<b>Why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>to</b> <b>bring</b> <b>but</b> <b>one</b>; <b>Bill</b>'<b>s</b> <b>got</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>—<b>Bill</b>! <b>fetch</b> <b>it</b> <b>here</b>, <b>lad</b>!—<b>Here</b>, <b>put</b> '<b>em</b> <b>up</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b> <b>corner</b>—<b>No</b>, <b>tie</b> '<b>em</b> <b>together</b> <b>first</b>—<b>they</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>reach</b> <b>half</b> <b>high</b> <b>enough</b> <b>yet</b>—<b>Oh</b>! <b>they</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>do</b> <b>well</b> <b>enough</b>; <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>particular</b>- -<b>Here</b>, <b>Bill</b>! <b>catch</b> <b>hold</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>rope</b>—<b>Will</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>bear</b>?—<b>Mind</b> <b>that</b> <b>loose</b> <b>slate</b>—<b>Oh</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>coming</b> <b>down</b>! <b>Heads</b> <b>below</b>!” (<b>a</b> <b>loud</b> <b>crash</b>)—`<b>Now</b>, <b>who</b> <b>did</b> <b>that</b>?—<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>Bill</b>, <b>I</b> <b>fancy</b>—<b>Who</b>'<b>s</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b>?—<b>Nay</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b>! <b>YOU</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b>!—<b>That</b> <b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b>, <b>then</b>!—<b>Bill</b>'<b>s</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>down</b>—<b>Here</b>, <b>Bill</b>! <b>the</b> <b>master</b> <b>says</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>! <b>So</b> <b>Bill</b>'<b>s</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b>, <b>has</b> <b>he</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>. “<b>Shy</b>, <b>they</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>everything</b> <b>upon</b> <b>Bill</b>! <b>I</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>in</b> <b>Bill</b>'<b>s</b> <b>place</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b>: <b>this</b> <b>fireplace</b> <b>is</b> <b>narrow</b>, <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>sure</b>; <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>THINK</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>kick</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>drew</b> <b>her</b> <b>foot</b> <b>as</b> <b>far</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>and</b> <b>waited</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>animal</b> (<b>she</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>guess</b> <b>of</b> <b>what</b> <b>sort</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>) <b>scratching</b> <b>and</b> <b>scrambling</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b> <b>close</b> <b>above</b> <b>her</b>: <b>then</b>, <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>This</b> <b>is</b> <b>Bill</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>gave</b> <b>one</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>kick</b>, <b>and</b> <b>waited</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>would</b> <b>happen</b> <b>next</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>first</b> <b>thing</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>general</b> <b>chorus</b> <b>of</b> “<b>There</b> <b>goes</b> <b>Bill</b>!” <b>then</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b>'<b>s</b> <b>voice</b> <b>along</b>—`<b>Catch</b> <b>him</b>, <b>you</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedge</b>!” <b>then</b> <b>silence</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>another</b> <b>confusion</b> <b>of</b> <b>voices</b>—`<b>Hold</b> <b>up</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>—<b>Brandy</b> <b>now</b>—<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>choke</b> <b>him</b>—<b>How</b> <b>was</b> <b>it</b>, <b>old</b> <b>fellow</b>? <b>What</b> <b>happened</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b>? <b>Tell</b> <b>us</b> <b>all</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Last</b> <b>came</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>feeble</b>, <b>squeaking</b> <b>voice</b>, (`<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>Bill</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>,) “<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>know</b>—<b>No</b> <b>more</b>, <b>thank</b> <b>ye</b>; <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>better</b> <b>now</b>—<b>but</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>deal</b> <b>too</b> <b>flustered</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b>—<b>all</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>is</b>, <b>something</b> <b>comes</b> <b>at</b> <b>me</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>Jack</b>-<b>in</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>box</b>, <b>and</b> <b>up</b> <b>I</b> <b>goes</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>sky</b>-<b>rocket</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>So</b> <b>you</b> <b>did</b>, <b>old</b> <b>fellow</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>others</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>We</b> <b>must</b> <b>burn</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>down</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b>'<b>s</b> <b>voice</b>; <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>called</b> <b>out</b> <b>as</b> <b>loud</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, “<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>do</b>. <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>set</b> <b>Dinah</b> <b>at</b> <b>you</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>dead</b> <b>silence</b> <b>instantly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b> <b>WILL</b> <b>do</b> <b>next</b>! <b>If</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>any</b> <b>sense</b>, <b>they</b>'<b>d</b> <b>take</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>off</b>.” <b>After</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>they</b> <b>began</b> <b>moving</b> <b>about</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>say</b>, “<b>A</b> <b>barrowful</b> <b>will</b> <b>do</b>, <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>with</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>barrowful</b> <b>of</b> <b>WHAT</b>?” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>long</b> <b>to</b> <b>doubt</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>moment</b> <b>a</b> <b>shower</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>pebbles</b> <b>came</b> <b>rattling</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>and</b> <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>hit</b> <b>her</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>face</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>put</b> <b>a</b> <b>stop</b> <b>to</b> <b>this</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shouted</b> <b>out</b>, “<b>You</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>not</b> <b>do</b> <b>that</b> <b>again</b>!” <b>which</b> <b>produced</b> <b>another</b> <b>dead</b> <b>silence</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>with</b> <b>some</b> <b>surprise</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>pebbles</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>turning</b> <b>into</b> <b>little</b> <b>cakes</b> <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>lay</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>floor</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>bright</b> <b>idea</b> <b>came</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>. “<b>If</b> <b>I</b> <b>eat</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>these</b> <b>cakes</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>sure</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>SOME</b> <b>change</b> <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>size</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>possibly</b> <b>make</b> <b>me</b> <b>larger</b>, <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>make</b> <b>me</b> <b>smaller</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>swallowed</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>cakes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>delighted</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>shrinking</b> <b>directly</b>. <b>As</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>small</b> <b>enough</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>, <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>crowd</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>animals</b> <b>and</b> <b>birds</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>outside</b>. <b>The</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>Lizard</b>, <b>Bill</b>, <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b>, <b>being</b> <b>held</b> <b>up</b> <b>by</b> <b>two</b> <b>guinea</b>-<b>pigs</b>, <b>who</b> <b>were</b> <b>giving</b> <b>it</b> <b>something</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>bottle</b>. <b>They</b> <b>all</b> <b>made</b> <b>a</b> <b>rush</b> <b>at</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>she</b> <b>appeared</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>off</b> <b>as</b> <b>hard</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>and</b> <b>soon</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>safe</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>thick</b> <b>wood</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>first</b> <b>thing</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>wandered</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>, “<b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>to</b> <b>my</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b> <b>again</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>second</b> <b>thing</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>my</b> <b>way</b> <b>into</b> <b>that</b> <b>lovely</b> <b>garden</b>. <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>that</b> <b>will</b> <b>be</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>plan</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>an</b> <b>excellent</b> <b>plan</b>, <b>no</b> <b>doubt</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>neatly</b> <b>and</b> <b>simply</b> <b>arranged</b>; <b>the</b> <b>only</b> <b>difficulty</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <b>smallest</b> <b>idea</b> <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>set</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>; <b>and</b> <b>while</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>peering</b> <b>about</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b>, <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>bark</b> <b>just</b> <b>over</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>look</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>An</b> <b>enormous</b> <b>puppy</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>with</b> <b>large</b> <b>round</b> <b>eyes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>feebly</b> <b>stretching</b> <b>out</b> <b>one</b> <b>paw</b>, <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>touch</b> <b>her</b>. “<b>Poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>coaxing</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>hard</b> <b>to</b> <b>whistle</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>terribly</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>thought</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>be</b> <b>hungry</b>, <b>in</b> <b>which</b> <b>case</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>very</b> <b>likely</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>her</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>spite</b> <b>of</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>coaxing</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Hardly</b> <b>knowing</b> <b>what</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b>, <b>she</b> <b>picked</b> <b>up</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bit</b> <b>of</b> <b>stick</b>, <b>and</b> <b>held</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>puppy</b>; <b>whereupon</b> <b>the</b> <b>puppy</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b> <b>off</b> <b>all</b> <b>its</b> <b>feet</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>yelp</b> <b>of</b> <b>delight</b>, <b>and</b> <b>rushed</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>stick</b>, <b>and</b> <b>made</b> <b>believe</b> <b>to</b> <b>worry</b> <b>it</b>; <b>then</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>dodged</b> <b>behind</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>thistle</b>, <b>to</b> <b>keep</b> <b>herself</b> <b>from</b> <b>being</b> <b>run</b> <b>over</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>she</b> <b>appeared</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b>, <b>the</b> <b>puppy</b> <b>made</b> <b>another</b> <b>rush</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>stick</b>, <b>and</b> <b>tumbled</b> <b>head</b> <b>over</b> <b>heels</b> <b>in</b> <b>its</b> <b>hurry</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>hold</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>; <b>then</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>thinking</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>like</b> <b>having</b> <b>a</b> <b>game</b> <b>of</b> <b>play</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>cart</b>-<b>horse</b>, <b>and</b> <b>expecting</b> <b>every</b> <b>moment</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>trampled</b> <b>under</b> <b>its</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>ran</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>thistle</b> <b>again</b>; <b>then</b> <b>the</b> <b>puppy</b> <b>began</b> <b>a</b> <b>series</b> <b>of</b> <b>short</b> <b>charges</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>stick</b>, <b>running</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>little</b> <b>way</b> <b>forwards</b> <b>each</b> <b>time</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>way</b> <b>back</b>, <b>and</b> <b>barking</b> <b>hoarsely</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>while</b>, <b>till</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>it</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>way</b> <b>off</b>, <b>panting</b>, <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>tongue</b> <b>hanging</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b>, <b>and</b> <b>its</b> <b>great</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>half</b> <b>shut</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>for</b> <b>making</b> <b>her</b> <b>escape</b>; <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>off</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>and</b> <b>ran</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>tired</b> <b>and</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>breath</b>, <b>and</b> <b>till</b> <b>the</b> <b>puppy</b>'<b>s</b> <b>bark</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>quite</b> <b>faint</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>yet</b> <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>dear</b> <b>little</b> <b>puppy</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>leant</b> <b>against</b> <b>a</b> <b>buttercup</b> <b>to</b> <b>rest</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>fanned</b> <b>herself</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>leaves</b>: “<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>have</b> <b>liked</b> <b>teaching</b> <b>it</b> <b>tricks</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b>, <b>if</b>—<b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>only</b> <b>been</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b>! <b>Oh</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>that</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b>! <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>see</b>—<b>how</b> <b>IS</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>managed</b>? <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>I</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>or</b> <b>drink</b> <b>something</b> <b>or</b> <b>other</b>; <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>question</b> <b>is</b>, <b>what</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>great</b> <b>question</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>was</b>, <b>what</b>? <b>Alice</b> <b>looked</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>flowers</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>blades</b> <b>of</b> <b>grass</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>see</b> <b>anything</b> <b>that</b> <b>looked</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>thing</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>or</b> <b>drink</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>circumstances</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>mushroom</b> <b>growing</b> <b>near</b> <b>her</b>, <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>height</b> <b>as</b> <b>herself</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>looked</b> <b>under</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>on</b> <b>both</b> <b>sides</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>behind</b> <b>it</b>, <b>it</b> <b>occurred</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>look</b> <b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>was</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>stretched</b> <b>herself</b> <b>up</b> <b>on</b> <b>tiptoe</b>, <b>and</b> <b>peeped</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>edge</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>mushroom</b>, <b>and</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>immediately</b> <b>met</b> <b>those</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>caterpillar</b>, <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>arms</b> <b>folded</b>, <b>quietly</b> <b>smoking</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>hookah</b>, <b>and</b> <b>taking</b> <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <b>smallest</b> <b>notice</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>or</b> <b>of</b> <b>anything</b> <b>else</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>V</b><br>
|
||||
<b>ADVICE</b> <b>FROM</b> <b>A</b> <b>CATERPILLAR</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>each</b> <b>other</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>in</b> <b>silence</b>: <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>hookah</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b>, <b>and</b> <b>addressed</b> <b>her</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>languid</b>, <b>sleepy</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b> <b>are</b> <b>YOU</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>an</b> <b>encouraging</b> <b>opening</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>conversation</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b>, <b>rather</b> <b>shyly</b>, “<b>I</b>—<b>I</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>know</b>, <b>sir</b>, <b>just</b> <b>at</b> <b>present</b>— <b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>who</b> <b>I</b> <b>WAS</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>this</b> <b>morning</b>, <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>changed</b> <b>several</b> <b>times</b> <b>since</b> <b>then</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b> <b>by</b> <b>that</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>sternly</b>. “<b>Explain</b> <b>yourself</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>explain</b> <b>MYSELF</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b>, <b>sir</b>” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>because</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>myself</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>more</b> <b>clearly</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>understand</b> <b>it</b> <b>myself</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>with</b>; <b>and</b> <b>being</b> <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>different</b> <b>sizes</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>day</b> <b>is</b> <b>very</b> <b>confusing</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>perhaps</b> <b>you</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>found</b> <b>it</b> <b>so</b> <b>yet</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>when</b> <b>you</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>turn</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>chrysalis</b>—<b>you</b> <b>will</b> <b>some</b> <b>day</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—<b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>after</b> <b>that</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>butterfly</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>feel</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>queer</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>perhaps</b> <b>your</b> <b>feelings</b> <b>may</b> <b>be</b> <b>different</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>all</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>is</b>, <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>feel</b> <b>very</b> <b>queer</b> <b>to</b> <b>ME</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>contemptuously</b>. “<b>Who</b> <b>are</b> <b>YOU</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>Which</b> <b>brought</b> <b>them</b> <b>back</b> <b>again</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>conversation</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>felt</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>irritated</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>'<b>s</b> <b>making</b> <b>such</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>short</b> <b>remarks</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>drew</b> <b>herself</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, <b>very</b> <b>gravely</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>think</b>, <b>you</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b> <b>who</b> <b>YOU</b> <b>are</b>, <b>first</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>was</b> <b>another</b> <b>puzzling</b> <b>question</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>any</b> <b>good</b> <b>reason</b>, <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>unpleasant</b> <b>state</b> <b>of</b> <b>mind</b>, <b>she</b> <b>turned</b> <b>away</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b> <b>back</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>called</b> <b>after</b> <b>her</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>something</b> <b>important</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>promising</b>, <b>certainly</b>: <b>Alice</b> <b>turned</b> <b>and</b> <b>came</b> <b>back</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Keep</b> <b>your</b> <b>temper</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Is</b> <b>that</b> <b>all</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>swallowing</b> <b>down</b> <b>her</b> <b>anger</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>wait</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>else</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>, <b>and</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>after</b> <b>all</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>tell</b> <b>her</b> <b>something</b> <b>worth</b> <b>hearing</b>. <b>For</b> <b>some</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>it</b> <b>puffed</b> <b>away</b> <b>without</b> <b>speaking</b>, <b>but</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>it</b> <b>unfolded</b> <b>its</b> <b>arms</b>, <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>hookah</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>So</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>changed</b>, <b>do</b> <b>you</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b>, <b>sir</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b> <b>things</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>used</b>—<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>keep</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>size</b> <b>for</b> <b>ten</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>together</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b> <b>WHAT</b> <b>things</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> «<b>HOW</b> <b>DOTH</b> <b>THE</b> <b>LITTLE</b> <b>BUSY</b> <b>BEE</b>,» <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>all</b> <b>came</b> <b>different</b>!” <b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Repeat</b>, «<b>YOU</b> <b>ARE</b> <b>OLD</b>, <b>FATHER</b> <b>WILLIAM</b>,"“ <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>folded</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>old</b>, <b>Father</b> <b>William</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>young</b> <b>man</b> <b>said</b>,<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>your</b> <b>hair</b> <b>has</b> <b>become</b> <b>very</b> <b>white</b>; <b>And</b> <b>yet</b> <b>you</b> <b>incessantly</b> <b>stand</b> <b>on</b> <b>your</b> <b>head</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b>, <b>at</b> <b>your</b> <b>age</b>, <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>right</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>my</b> <b>youth</b>,” <b>Father</b> <b>William</b> <b>replied</b> <b>to</b> <b>his</b> <b>son</b>,<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>feared</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>injure</b> <b>the</b> <b>brain</b>; <b>But</b>, <b>now</b> <b>that</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>perfectly</b> <b>sure</b> <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>none</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b> <b>again</b> <b>and</b> <b>again</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>old</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>youth</b>, “<b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>mentioned</b> <b>before</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>have</b> <b>grown</b> <b>most</b> <b>uncommonly</b> <b>fat</b>; <b>Yet</b> <b>you</b> <b>turned</b> <b>a</b> <b>back</b>-<b>somersault</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>Pray</b>, <b>what</b> <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>my</b> <b>youth</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>sage</b>, <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>shook</b> <b>his</b> <b>grey</b> <b>locks</b>,<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>kept</b> <b>all</b> <b>my</b> <b>limbs</b> <b>very</b> <b>supple</b> <b>By</b> <b>the</b> <b>use</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>ointment</b>—<b>one</b> <b>shilling</b> <b>the</b> <b>box</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>Allow</b> <b>me</b> <b>to</b> <b>sell</b> <b>you</b> <b>a</b> <b>couple</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>old</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>youth</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>your</b> <b>jaws</b> <b>are</b> <b>too</b> <b>weak</b><br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>anything</b> <b>tougher</b> <b>than</b> <b>suet</b>; <b>Yet</b> <b>you</b> <b>finished</b> <b>the</b> <b>goose</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>bones</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>beak</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>Pray</b> <b>how</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>manage</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>my</b> <b>youth</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>his</b> <b>father</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>took</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>law</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>argued</b> <b>each</b> <b>case</b> <b>with</b> <b>my</b> <b>wife</b>; <b>And</b> <b>the</b> <b>muscular</b> <b>strength</b>, <b>which</b> <b>it</b> <b>gave</b> <b>to</b> <b>my</b> <b>jaw</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Has</b> <b>lasted</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>my</b> <b>life</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>old</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>youth</b>, “<b>one</b> <b>would</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>suppose</b><br>
|
||||
<b>That</b> <b>your</b> <b>eye</b> <b>was</b> <b>as</b> <b>steady</b> <b>as</b> <b>ever</b>; <b>Yet</b> <b>you</b> <b>balanced</b> <b>an</b> <b>eel</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>your</b> <b>nose</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>What</b> <b>made</b> <b>you</b> <b>so</b> <b>awfully</b> <b>clever</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>answered</b> <b>three</b> <b>questions</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b> <b>enough</b>,”<br>
|
||||
<b>Said</b> <b>his</b> <b>father</b>; “<b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>give</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>airs</b>! <b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>listen</b> <b>all</b> <b>day</b> <b>to</b> <b>such</b> <b>stuff</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Be</b> <b>off</b>, <b>or</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>kick</b> <b>you</b> <b>down</b> <b>stairs</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>is</b> <b>not</b> <b>said</b> <b>right</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>QUITE</b> <b>right</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>timidly</b>; <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>have</b> <b>got</b> <b>altered</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>is</b> <b>wrong</b> <b>from</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>end</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>decidedly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>silence</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>minutes</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>size</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b>?” <b>it</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>particular</b> <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>size</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>replied</b>; “<b>only</b> <b>one</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>changing</b> <b>so</b> <b>often</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>DON</b>'<b>T</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>: <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>been</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>contradicted</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>life</b> <b>before</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>losing</b> <b>her</b> <b>temper</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Are</b> <b>you</b> <b>content</b> <b>now</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>LITTLE</b> <b>larger</b>, <b>sir</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mind</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>: “<b>three</b> <b>inches</b> <b>is</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>wretched</b> <b>height</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>is</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>good</b> <b>height</b> <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>angrily</b>, <b>rearing</b> <b>itself</b> <b>upright</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>spoke</b> (<b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>exactly</b> <b>three</b> <b>inches</b> <b>high</b>).<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b>!” <b>pleaded</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>piteous</b> <b>tone</b>. <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>of</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>the</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>so</b> <b>easily</b> <b>offended</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>get</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>; <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>put</b> <b>the</b> <b>hookah</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>smoking</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>time</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>waited</b> <b>patiently</b> <b>until</b> <b>it</b> <b>chose</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>again</b>. <b>In</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>hookah</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>and</b> <b>yawned</b> <b>once</b> <b>or</b> <b>twice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shook</b> <b>itself</b>. <b>Then</b> <b>it</b> <b>got</b> <b>down</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>mushroom</b>, <b>and</b> <b>crawled</b> <b>away</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>grass</b>, <b>merely</b> <b>remarking</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>went</b>, “<b>One</b> <b>side</b> <b>will</b> <b>make</b> <b>you</b> <b>grow</b> <b>taller</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b> <b>will</b> <b>make</b> <b>you</b> <b>grow</b> <b>shorter</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>One</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>WHAT</b>? <b>The</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>WHAT</b>?” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>the</b> <b>mushroom</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>, <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>asked</b> <b>it</b> <b>aloud</b>; <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>remained</b> <b>looking</b> <b>thoughtfully</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>mushroom</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b>, <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>which</b> <b>were</b> <b>the</b> <b>two</b> <b>sides</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>perfectly</b> <b>round</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>this</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>difficult</b> <b>question</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>she</b> <b>stretched</b> <b>her</b> <b>arms</b> <b>round</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>far</b> <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>would</b> <b>go</b>, <b>and</b> <b>broke</b> <b>off</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>edge</b> <b>with</b> <b>each</b> <b>hand</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>now</b> <b>which</b> <b>is</b> <b>which</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>nibbled</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b>-<b>hand</b> <b>bit</b> <b>to</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>effect</b>: <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>moment</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>a</b> <b>violent</b> <b>blow</b> <b>underneath</b> <b>her</b> <b>chin</b>: <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>struck</b> <b>her</b> <b>foot</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>very</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>change</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>lost</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>shrinking</b> <b>rapidly</b>; <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>bit</b>. <b>Her</b> <b>chin</b> <b>was</b> <b>pressed</b> <b>so</b> <b>closely</b> <b>against</b> <b>her</b> <b>foot</b>, <b>that</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>room</b> <b>to</b> <b>open</b> <b>her</b> <b>mouth</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>it</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>and</b> <b>managed</b> <b>to</b> <b>swallow</b> <b>a</b> <b>morsel</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>lefthand</b> <b>bit</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>my</b> <b>head</b>'<b>s</b> <b>free</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>delight</b>, <b>which</b> <b>changed</b> <b>into</b> <b>alarm</b> <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b>, <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>that</b> <b>her</b> <b>shoulders</b> <b>were</b> <b>nowhere</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>found</b>: <b>all</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b>, <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b>, <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>immense</b> <b>length</b> <b>of</b> <b>neck</b>, <b>which</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>rise</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>stalk</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>sea</b> <b>of</b> <b>green</b> <b>leaves</b> <b>that</b> <b>lay</b> <b>far</b> <b>below</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>CAN</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b> <b>green</b> <b>stuff</b> <b>be</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>And</b> <b>where</b> <b>HAVE</b> <b>my</b> <b>shoulders</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b>? <b>And</b> <b>oh</b>, <b>my</b> <b>poor</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>how</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>moving</b> <b>them</b> <b>about</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>, <b>but</b> <b>no</b> <b>result</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>follow</b>, <b>except</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>shaking</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>distant</b> <b>green</b> <b>leaves</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>there</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>chance</b> <b>of</b> <b>getting</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>, <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>delighted</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>her</b> <b>neck</b> <b>would</b> <b>bend</b> <b>about</b> <b>easily</b> <b>in</b> <b>any</b> <b>direction</b>, <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>. <b>She</b> <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>succeeded</b> <b>in</b> <b>curving</b> <b>it</b> <b>down</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>graceful</b> <b>zigzag</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>dive</b> <b>in</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>leaves</b>, <b>which</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>tops</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>under</b> <b>which</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>wandering</b>, <b>when</b> <b>a</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>hiss</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>draw</b> <b>back</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurry</b>: <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>pigeon</b> <b>had</b> <b>flown</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>beating</b> <b>her</b> <b>violently</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>wings</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Serpent</b>!” <b>screamed</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>indignantly</b>. “<b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>alone</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Serpent</b>, <b>I</b> <b>say</b> <b>again</b>!” <b>repeated</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b>, <b>but</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>more</b> <b>subdued</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>and</b> <b>added</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>sob</b>, “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>every</b> <b>way</b>, <b>and</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>seems</b> <b>to</b> <b>suit</b> <b>them</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>the</b> <b>least</b> <b>idea</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>talking</b> <b>about</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>the</b> <b>roots</b> <b>of</b> <b>trees</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>banks</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>hedges</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>without</b> <b>attending</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>those</b> <b>serpents</b>! <b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>pleasing</b> <b>them</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>more</b> <b>and</b> <b>more</b> <b>puzzled</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>saying</b> <b>anything</b> <b>more</b> <b>till</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b> <b>had</b> <b>finished</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>As</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>trouble</b> <b>enough</b> <b>hatching</b> <b>the</b> <b>eggs</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b>-<b>out</b> <b>for</b> <b>serpents</b> <b>night</b> <b>and</b> <b>day</b>! <b>Why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>wink</b> <b>of</b> <b>sleep</b> <b>these</b> <b>three</b> <b>weeks</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>very</b> <b>sorry</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>been</b> <b>annoyed</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>its</b> <b>meaning</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>taken</b> <b>the</b> <b>highest</b> <b>tree</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>,” <b>continued</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b>, <b>raising</b> <b>its</b> <b>voice</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>shriek</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>be</b> <b>free</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>they</b> <b>must</b> <b>needs</b> <b>come</b> <b>wriggling</b> <b>down</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>sky</b>! <b>Ugh</b>, <b>Serpent</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>, <b>I</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b>—<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>! <b>WHAT</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>see</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>invent</b> <b>something</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>—<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>girl</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>rather</b> <b>doubtfully</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>the</b> <b>number</b> <b>of</b> <b>changes</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>gone</b> <b>through</b> <b>that</b> <b>day</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>likely</b> <b>story</b> <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>deepest</b> <b>contempt</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>many</b> <b>little</b> <b>girls</b> <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>time</b>, <b>but</b> <b>never</b> <b>ONE</b> <b>with</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>neck</b> <b>as</b> <b>that</b>! <b>No</b>, <b>no</b>! <b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>; <b>and</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>denying</b> <b>it</b>. <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>telling</b> <b>me</b> <b>next</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>never</b> <b>tasted</b> <b>an</b> <b>egg</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>HAVE</b> <b>tasted</b> <b>eggs</b>, <b>certainly</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>truthful</b> <b>child</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>little</b> <b>girls</b> <b>eat</b> <b>eggs</b> <b>quite</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>as</b> <b>serpents</b> <b>do</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>if</b> <b>they</b> <b>do</b>, <b>why</b> <b>then</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>a</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>serpent</b>, <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>say</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>was</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>new</b> <b>idea</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>silent</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>which</b> <b>gave</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b> <b>the</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>of</b> <b>adding</b>, “<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> <b>eggs</b>, <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>THAT</b> <b>well</b> <b>enough</b>; <b>and</b> <b>what</b> <b>does</b> <b>it</b> <b>matter</b> <b>to</b> <b>me</b> <b>whether</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>girl</b> <b>or</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>matters</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>to</b> <b>ME</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>hastily</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> <b>eggs</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>happens</b>; <b>and</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>want</b> <b>YOURS</b>: <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>them</b> <b>raw</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>be</b> <b>off</b>, <b>then</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Pigeon</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>sulky</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>settled</b> <b>down</b> <b>again</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>nest</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>crouched</b> <b>down</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>for</b> <b>her</b> <b>neck</b> <b>kept</b> <b>getting</b> <b>entangled</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>branches</b>, <b>and</b> <b>every</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>stop</b> <b>and</b> <b>untwist</b> <b>it</b>. <b>After</b> <b>a</b> <b>while</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>still</b> <b>held</b> <b>the</b> <b>pieces</b> <b>of</b> <b>mushroom</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>very</b> <b>carefully</b>, <b>nibbling</b> <b>first</b> <b>at</b> <b>one</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>and</b> <b>growing</b> <b>sometimes</b> <b>taller</b> <b>and</b> <b>sometimes</b> <b>shorter</b>, <b>until</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>succeeded</b> <b>in</b> <b>bringing</b> <b>herself</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>usual</b> <b>height</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>long</b> <b>since</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>anything</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>felt</b> <b>quite</b> <b>strange</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>talking</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>as</b> <b>usual</b>. “<b>Come</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>half</b> <b>my</b> <b>plan</b> <b>done</b> <b>now</b>! <b>How</b> <b>puzzling</b> <b>all</b> <b>these</b> <b>changes</b> <b>are</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>never</b> <b>sure</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b>, <b>from</b> <b>one</b> <b>minute</b> <b>to</b> <b>another</b>! <b>However</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>my</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b>: <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>thing</b> <b>is</b>, <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>into</b> <b>that</b> <b>beautiful</b> <b>garden</b>—<b>how</b> <b>IS</b> <b>that</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>done</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b>?” <b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>upon</b> <b>an</b> <b>open</b> <b>place</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>house</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b> <b>about</b> <b>four</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>. “<b>Whoever</b> <b>lives</b> <b>there</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>never</b> <b>do</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>upon</b> <b>them</b> <b>THIS</b> <b>size</b>: <b>why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>frighten</b> <b>them</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>their</b> <b>wits</b>!” <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>nibbling</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>righthand</b> <b>bit</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>venture</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>brought</b> <b>herself</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>nine</b> <b>inches</b> <b>high</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>VI</b><br>
|
||||
<b>PIG</b> <b>AND</b> <b>PEPPER</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>she</b> <b>stood</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wondering</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>next</b>, <b>when</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>a</b> <b>footman</b> <b>in</b> <b>livery</b> <b>came</b> <b>running</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>—(<b>she</b> <b>considered</b> <b>him</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>footman</b> <b>because</b> <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>livery</b>: <b>otherwise</b>, <b>judging</b> <b>by</b> <b>his</b> <b>face</b> <b>only</b>, <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>called</b> <b>him</b> <b>a</b> <b>fish</b>)—<b>and</b> <b>rapped</b> <b>loudly</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>knuckles</b>. <b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>opened</b> <b>by</b> <b>another</b> <b>footman</b> <b>in</b> <b>livery</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>round</b> <b>face</b>, <b>and</b> <b>large</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>frog</b>; <b>and</b> <b>both</b> <b>footmen</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>noticed</b>, <b>had</b> <b>powdered</b> <b>hair</b> <b>that</b> <b>curled</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b>. <b>She</b> <b>felt</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>about</b>, <b>and</b> <b>crept</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>way</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Fish</b>-<b>Footman</b> <b>began</b> <b>by</b> <b>producing</b> <b>from</b> <b>under</b> <b>his</b> <b>arm</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>letter</b>, <b>nearly</b> <b>as</b> <b>large</b> <b>as</b> <b>himself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>he</b> <b>handed</b> <b>over</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>saying</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>solemn</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>For</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>. <b>An</b> <b>invitation</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>to</b> <b>play</b> <b>croquet</b>.” <b>The</b> <b>Frog</b>-<b>Footman</b> <b>repeated</b>, <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>solemn</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>only</b> <b>changing</b> <b>the</b> <b>order</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>, “<b>From</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>. <b>An</b> <b>invitation</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>to</b> <b>play</b> <b>croquet</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Then</b> <b>they</b> <b>both</b> <b>bowed</b> <b>low</b>, <b>and</b> <b>their</b> <b>curls</b> <b>got</b> <b>entangled</b> <b>together</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>laughed</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>run</b> <b>back</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b> <b>for</b> <b>fear</b> <b>of</b> <b>their</b> <b>hearing</b> <b>her</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>next</b> <b>peeped</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>Fish</b>-<b>Footman</b> <b>was</b> <b>gone</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>staring</b> <b>stupidly</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>sky</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>went</b> <b>timidly</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>and</b> <b>knocked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>knocking</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Footman</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>for</b> <b>two</b> <b>reasons</b>. <b>First</b>, <b>because</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>are</b>; <b>secondly</b>, <b>because</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>making</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>noise</b> <b>inside</b>, <b>no</b> <b>one</b> <b>could</b> <b>possibly</b> <b>hear</b> <b>you</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>most</b> <b>extraordinary</b> <b>noise</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b> <b>within</b>—<b>a</b> <b>constant</b> <b>howling</b> <b>and</b> <b>sneezing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>every</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>crash</b>, <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>a</b> <b>dish</b> <b>or</b> <b>kettle</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>broken</b> <b>to</b> <b>pieces</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Please</b>, <b>then</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>how</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b> <b>might</b> <b>be</b> <b>some</b> <b>sense</b> <b>in</b> <b>your</b> <b>knocking</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Footman</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>without</b> <b>attending</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>we</b> <b>had</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>between</b> <b>us</b>. <b>For</b> <b>instance</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>INSIDE</b>, <b>you</b> <b>might</b> <b>knock</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>let</b> <b>you</b> <b>out</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.” <b>He</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>sky</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>speaking</b>, <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>decidedly</b> <b>uncivil</b>. “<b>But</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>he</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>help</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>; “<b>his</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>are</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>. <b>But</b> <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b> <b>he</b> <b>might</b> <b>answer</b> <b>questions</b>.—<b>How</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>repeated</b>, <b>aloud</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>sit</b> <b>here</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Footman</b> <b>remarked</b>, “<b>till</b> <b>tomorrow</b>—”<br>
|
||||
<b>At</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>opened</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>plate</b> <b>came</b> <b>skimming</b> <b>out</b>, <b>straight</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Footman</b>'<b>s</b> <b>head</b>: <b>it</b> <b>just</b> <b>grazed</b> <b>his</b> <b>nose</b>, <b>and</b> <b>broke</b> <b>to</b> <b>pieces</b> <b>against</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>behind</b> <b>him</b>.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>or</b> <b>next</b> <b>day</b>, <b>maybe</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Footman</b> <b>continued</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>exactly</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>had</b> <b>happened</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b>?” <b>asked</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>again</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>louder</b> <b>tone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>ARE</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Footman</b>. “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>question</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b>, <b>no</b> <b>doubt</b>: <b>only</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>told</b> <b>so</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>really</b> <b>dreadful</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>muttered</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>argue</b>. <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>enough</b> <b>to</b> <b>drive</b> <b>one</b> <b>crazy</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Footman</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>this</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>for</b> <b>repeating</b> <b>his</b> <b>remark</b>, <b>with</b> <b>variations</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>sit</b> <b>here</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>on</b> <b>and</b> <b>off</b>, <b>for</b> <b>days</b> <b>and</b> <b>days</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>what</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Anything</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Footman</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>whistling</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>talking</b> <b>to</b> <b>him</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>desperately</b>: “<b>he</b>'<b>s</b> <b>perfectly</b> <b>idiotic</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>opened</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>in</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>door</b> <b>led</b> <b>right</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>kitchen</b>, <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>full</b> <b>of</b> <b>smoke</b> <b>from</b> <b>one</b> <b>end</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>: <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>three</b>-<b>legged</b> <b>stool</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b>, <b>nursing</b> <b>a</b> <b>baby</b>; <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>was</b> <b>leaning</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>fire</b>, <b>stirring</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>cauldron</b> <b>which</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>full</b> <b>of</b> <b>soup</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b> <b>pepper</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b> <b>soup</b>!” <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>for</b> <b>sneezing</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>. <b>Even</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>sneezed</b> <b>occasionally</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b>, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>sneezing</b> <b>and</b> <b>howling</b> <b>alternately</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b>'<b>s</b> <b>pause</b>. <b>The</b> <b>only</b> <b>things</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>kitchen</b> <b>that</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>sneeze</b>, <b>were</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>cat</b> <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>hearth</b> <b>and</b> <b>grinning</b> <b>from</b> <b>ear</b> <b>to</b> <b>ear</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Please</b> <b>would</b> <b>you</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>timidly</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>quite</b> <b>sure</b> <b>whether</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>good</b> <b>manners</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>first</b>, “<b>why</b> <b>your</b> <b>cat</b> <b>grins</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>Cheshire</b> <b>cat</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>why</b>. <b>Pig</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>word</b> <b>with</b> <b>such</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>violence</b> <b>that</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>quite</b> <b>jumped</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>saw</b> <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>addressed</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b>, <b>and</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>took</b> <b>courage</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>again</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>that</b> <b>Cheshire</b> <b>cats</b> <b>always</b> <b>grinned</b>; <b>in</b> <b>fact</b>, <b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>that</b> <b>cats</b> <b>COULD</b> <b>grin</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>all</b> <b>can</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>most</b> <b>of</b> '<b>em</b> <b>do</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>of</b> <b>any</b> <b>that</b> <b>do</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>, <b>feeling</b> <b>quite</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>got</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>conversation</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>fact</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>remark</b>, <b>and</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>to</b> <b>introduce</b> <b>some</b> <b>other</b> <b>subject</b> <b>of</b> <b>conversation</b>. <b>While</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>fix</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b>, <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>cauldron</b> <b>of</b> <b>soup</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>fire</b>, <b>and</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>throwing</b> <b>everything</b> <b>within</b> <b>her</b> <b>reach</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b>- -<b>the</b> <b>fire</b>-<b>irons</b> <b>came</b> <b>first</b>; <b>then</b> <b>followed</b> <b>a</b> <b>shower</b> <b>of</b> <b>saucepans</b>, <b>plates</b>, <b>and</b> <b>dishes</b>. <b>The</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>took</b> <b>no</b> <b>notice</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>even</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>hit</b> <b>her</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b> <b>was</b> <b>howling</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>already</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>impossible</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>whether</b> <b>the</b> <b>blows</b> <b>hurt</b> <b>it</b> <b>or</b> <b>not</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>PLEASE</b> <b>mind</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>doing</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>jumping</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>down</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>agony</b> <b>of</b> <b>terror</b>. “<b>Oh</b>, <b>there</b> <b>goes</b> <b>his</b> <b>PRECIOUS</b> <b>nose</b>'; <b>as</b> <b>an</b> <b>unusually</b> <b>large</b> <b>saucepan</b> <b>flew</b> <b>close</b> <b>by</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>carried</b> <b>it</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>minded</b> <b>their</b> <b>own</b> <b>business</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hoarse</b> <b>growl</b>, “<b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>would</b> <b>go</b> <b>round</b> <b>a</b> <b>deal</b> <b>faster</b> <b>than</b> <b>it</b> <b>does</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Which</b> <b>would</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>be</b> <b>an</b> <b>advantage</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>who</b> <b>felt</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>an</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>of</b> <b>showing</b> <b>off</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>knowledge</b>. “<b>Just</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>what</b> <b>work</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>make</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>day</b> <b>and</b> <b>night</b>! <b>You</b> <b>see</b> <b>the</b> <b>earth</b> <b>takes</b> <b>twenty</b>-<b>four</b> <b>hours</b> <b>to</b> <b>turn</b> <b>round</b> <b>on</b> <b>its</b> <b>axis</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Talking</b> <b>of</b> <b>axes</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>, “<b>chop</b> <b>off</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>glanced</b> <b>rather</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b>, <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>meant</b> <b>to</b> <b>take</b> <b>the</b> <b>hint</b>; <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>was</b> <b>busily</b> <b>stirring</b> <b>the</b> <b>soup</b>, <b>and</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>listening</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>again</b>: “<b>Twenty</b>-<b>four</b> <b>hours</b>, <b>I</b> <b>THINK</b>; <b>or</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b> <b>twelve</b>? <b>I</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>bother</b> <b>ME</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>could</b> <b>abide</b> <b>figures</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>with</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>nursing</b> <b>her</b> <b>child</b> <b>again</b>, <b>singing</b> <b>a</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>lullaby</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>so</b>, <b>and</b> <b>giving</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>violent</b> <b>shake</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>every</b> <b>line</b>:<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Speak</b> <b>roughly</b> <b>to</b> <b>your</b> <b>little</b> <b>boy</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>beat</b> <b>him</b> <b>when</b> <b>he</b> <b>sneezes</b>:<br>
|
||||
<b>He</b> <b>only</b> <b>does</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>annoy</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Because</b> <b>he</b> <b>knows</b> <b>it</b> <b>teases</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>CHORUS</b>.<br>
|
||||
(<b>In</b> <b>which</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b> <b>joined</b>):—<br>
|
||||
“<b>Wow</b>! <b>wow</b>! <b>wow</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>While</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>sang</b> <b>the</b> <b>second</b> <b>verse</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>song</b>, <b>she</b> <b>kept</b> <b>tossing</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b> <b>violently</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>down</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>howled</b> <b>so</b>, <b>that</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>speak</b> <b>severely</b> <b>to</b> <b>my</b> <b>boy</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>I</b> <b>beat</b> <b>him</b> <b>when</b> <b>he</b> <b>sneezes</b>;<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>he</b> <b>can</b> <b>thoroughly</b> <b>enjoy</b><br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>pepper</b> <b>when</b> <b>he</b> <b>pleases</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>CHORUS</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Wow</b>! <b>wow</b>! <b>wow</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Here</b>! <b>you</b> <b>may</b> <b>nurse</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>flinging</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>go</b> <b>and</b> <b>get</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>play</b> <b>croquet</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>room</b>. <b>The</b> <b>cook</b> <b>threw</b> <b>a</b> <b>frying</b>-<b>pan</b> <b>after</b> <b>her</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>out</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>just</b> <b>missed</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>caught</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b> <b>with</b> <b>some</b> <b>difficulty</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>queer</b>- <b>shaped</b> <b>little</b> <b>creature</b>, <b>and</b> <b>held</b> <b>out</b> <b>its</b> <b>arms</b> <b>and</b> <b>legs</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>directions</b>, “<b>just</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>star</b>-<b>fish</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>. <b>The</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>was</b> <b>snorting</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>steam</b>-<b>engine</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>caught</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>kept</b> <b>doubling</b> <b>itself</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>straightening</b> <b>itself</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>altogether</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>do</b> <b>to</b> <b>hold</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>proper</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>nursing</b> <b>it</b>, (<b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>to</b> <b>twist</b> <b>it</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>knot</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>keep</b> <b>tight</b> <b>hold</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>right</b> <b>ear</b> <b>and</b> <b>left</b> <b>foot</b>, <b>so</b> <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>prevent</b> <b>its</b> <b>undoing</b> <b>itself</b>,) <b>she</b> <b>carried</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>open</b> <b>air</b>. “<b>IF</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>take</b> <b>this</b> <b>child</b> <b>away</b> <b>with</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>sure</b> <b>to</b> <b>kill</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>day</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>: <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>it</b> <b>be</b> <b>murder</b> <b>to</b> <b>leave</b> <b>it</b> <b>behind</b>?” <b>She</b> <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>words</b> <b>out</b> <b>loud</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>grunted</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b> (<b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>sneezing</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>). “<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>grunt</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>not</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>a</b> <b>proper</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>expressing</b> <b>yourself</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>baby</b> <b>grunted</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>looked</b> <b>very</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>face</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>matter</b> <b>with</b> <b>it</b>. <b>There</b> <b>could</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>doubt</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>turn</b>-<b>up</b> <b>nose</b>, <b>much</b> <b>more</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>snout</b> <b>than</b> <b>a</b> <b>real</b> <b>nose</b>; <b>also</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>were</b> <b>getting</b> <b>extremely</b> <b>small</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>baby</b>: <b>altogether</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>thing</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>. “<b>But</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>only</b> <b>sobbing</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>again</b>, <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>any</b> <b>tears</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>No</b>, <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>no</b> <b>tears</b>. “<b>If</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>turn</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>pig</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>seriously</b>, “<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>have</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>more</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>with</b> <b>you</b>. <b>Mind</b> <b>now</b>!” <b>The</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>sobbed</b> <b>again</b> (<b>or</b> <b>grunted</b>, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>impossible</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>which</b>), <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>while</b> <b>in</b> <b>silence</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>Now</b>, <b>what</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>with</b> <b>this</b> <b>creature</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>get</b> <b>it</b> <b>home</b>?” <b>when</b> <b>it</b> <b>grunted</b> <b>again</b>, <b>so</b> <b>violently</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>face</b> <b>in</b> <b>some</b> <b>alarm</b>. <b>This</b> <b>time</b> <b>there</b> <b>could</b> <b>be</b> <b>NO</b> <b>mistake</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>: <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>neither</b> <b>more</b> <b>nor</b> <b>less</b> <b>than</b> <b>a</b> <b>pig</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>quite</b> <b>absurd</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b> <b>to</b> <b>carry</b> <b>it</b> <b>further</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>creature</b> <b>down</b>, <b>and</b> <b>felt</b> <b>quite</b> <b>relieved</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>trot</b> <b>away</b> <b>quietly</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>. “<b>If</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>grown</b> <b>up</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>made</b> <b>a</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>ugly</b> <b>child</b>: <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>makes</b> <b>rather</b> <b>a</b> <b>handsome</b> <b>pig</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>over</b> <b>other</b> <b>children</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b>, <b>who</b> <b>might</b> <b>do</b> <b>very</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>pigs</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>one</b> <b>only</b> <b>knew</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>way</b> <b>to</b> <b>change</b> <b>them</b>—” <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>startled</b> <b>by</b> <b>seeing</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cheshire</b> <b>Cat</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>bough</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>tree</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>yards</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Cat</b> <b>only</b> <b>grinned</b> <b>when</b> <b>it</b> <b>saw</b> <b>Alice</b>. <b>It</b> <b>looked</b> <b>good</b>- <b>natured</b>, <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>: <b>still</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>long</b> <b>claws</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>many</b> <b>teeth</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>treated</b> <b>with</b> <b>respect</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Cheshire</b> <b>Puss</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>began</b>, <b>rather</b> <b>timidly</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>know</b> <b>whether</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b>: <b>however</b>, <b>it</b> <b>only</b> <b>grinned</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>wider</b>. “<b>Come</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>so</b> <b>far</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>. “<b>Would</b> <b>you</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b>, <b>please</b>, <b>which</b> <b>way</b> <b>I</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>from</b> <b>here</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>depends</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>on</b> <b>where</b> <b>you</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>to</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>much</b> <b>care</b> <b>where</b>—” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>matter</b> <b>which</b> <b>way</b> <b>you</b> <b>go</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>so</b> <b>long</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>get</b> <b>SOMEWHERE</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>added</b> <b>as</b> <b>an</b> <b>explanation</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>sure</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>only</b> <b>walk</b> <b>long</b> <b>enough</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>this</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>be</b> <b>denied</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>another</b> <b>question</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>people</b> <b>live</b> <b>about</b> <b>here</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>THAT</b> <b>direction</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b> <b>said</b>, <b>waving</b> <b>its</b> <b>right</b> <b>paw</b> <b>round</b>, “<b>lives</b> <b>a</b> <b>Hatter</b>: <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>THAT</b> <b>direction</b>,” <b>waving</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>paw</b>, “<b>lives</b> <b>a</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>. <b>Visit</b> <b>either</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>: <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>both</b> <b>mad</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>among</b> <b>mad</b> <b>people</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>remarked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>help</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>: “<b>we</b>'<b>re</b> <b>all</b> <b>mad</b> <b>here</b>. <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>mad</b>. <b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>mad</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>mad</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>, “<b>or</b> <b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>come</b> <b>here</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b> <b>that</b> <b>proved</b> <b>it</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>; <b>however</b>, <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> “<b>And</b> <b>how</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>mad</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>To</b> <b>begin</b> <b>with</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>, “<b>a</b> <b>dog</b>'<b>s</b> <b>not</b> <b>mad</b>. <b>You</b> <b>grant</b> <b>that</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>so</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>then</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>a</b> <b>dog</b> <b>growls</b> <b>when</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>angry</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wags</b> <b>its</b> <b>tail</b> <b>when</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>pleased</b>. <b>Now</b> <b>I</b> <b>growl</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>pleased</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wag</b> <b>my</b> <b>tail</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>angry</b>. <b>Therefore</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>mad</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>call</b> <b>it</b> <b>purring</b>, <b>not</b> <b>growling</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Call</b> <b>it</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>. “<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>play</b> <b>croquet</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>to</b>-<b>day</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>been</b> <b>invited</b> <b>yet</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>see</b> <b>me</b> <b>there</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>, <b>and</b> <b>vanished</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>much</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>getting</b> <b>so</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>queer</b> <b>things</b> <b>happening</b>. <b>While</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>place</b> <b>where</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b>, <b>it</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>appeared</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>By</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>bye</b>, <b>what</b> <b>became</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>turned</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>pig</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>quietly</b> <b>said</b>, <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>come</b> <b>back</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>natural</b> <b>way</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>, <b>and</b> <b>vanished</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>waited</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>, <b>half</b> <b>expecting</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>again</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>appear</b>, <b>and</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>direction</b> <b>in</b> <b>which</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>was</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>live</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>hatters</b> <b>before</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>; “<b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>will</b> <b>be</b> <b>much</b> <b>the</b> <b>most</b> <b>interesting</b>, <b>and</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>as</b> <b>this</b> <b>is</b> <b>May</b> <b>it</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>raving</b> <b>mad</b>—<b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>not</b> <b>so</b> <b>mad</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>March</b>.” <b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b> <b>again</b>, <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>branch</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>tree</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Did</b> <b>you</b> <b>say</b> <b>pig</b>, <b>or</b> <b>fig</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>said</b> <b>pig</b>,” <b>replied</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>keep</b> <b>appearing</b> <b>and</b> <b>vanishing</b> <b>so</b> <b>suddenly</b>: <b>you</b> <b>make</b> <b>on</b> <b>quite</b> <b>giddy</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>All</b> <b>right</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>; <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>it</b> <b>vanished</b> <b>quite</b> <b>slowly</b>, <b>beginning</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>tail</b>, <b>and</b> <b>ending</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>grin</b>, <b>which</b> <b>remained</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>after</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>gone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>often</b> <b>seen</b> <b>a</b> <b>cat</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>grin</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>a</b> <b>grin</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>cat</b>! <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>most</b> <b>curious</b> <b>thing</b> <b>I</b> <b>ever</b> <b>say</b> <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>life</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>gone</b> <b>much</b> <b>farther</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>in</b> <b>sight</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>: <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>house</b>, <b>because</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimneys</b> <b>were</b> <b>shaped</b> <b>like</b> <b>ears</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>was</b> <b>thatched</b> <b>with</b> <b>fur</b>. <b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>large</b> <b>a</b> <b>house</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>nearer</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>nibbled</b> <b>some</b> <b>more</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>lefthand</b> <b>bit</b> <b>of</b> <b>mushroom</b>, <b>and</b> <b>raised</b> <b>herself</b> <b>to</b> <b>about</b> <b>two</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>: <b>even</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>up</b> <b>towards</b> <b>it</b> <b>rather</b> <b>timidly</b>, <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>Suppose</b> <b>it</b> <b>should</b> <b>be</b> <b>raving</b> <b>mad</b> <b>after</b> <b>all</b>! <b>I</b> <b>almost</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>gone</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>instead</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>VII</b><br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> <b>MAD</b> <b>TEA</b>-<b>PARTY</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>table</b> <b>set</b> <b>out</b> <b>under</b> <b>a</b> <b>tree</b> <b>in</b> <b>front</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>were</b> <b>having</b> <b>tea</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b>: <b>a</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>between</b> <b>them</b>, <b>fast</b> <b>asleep</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>two</b> <b>were</b> <b>using</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>cushion</b>, <b>resting</b> <b>their</b> <b>elbows</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>talking</b> <b>over</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b>. “<b>Very</b> <b>uncomfortable</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>only</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>asleep</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mind</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>table</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>one</b>, <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>together</b> <b>at</b> <b>one</b> <b>corner</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>: “<b>No</b> <b>room</b>! <b>No</b> <b>room</b>!” <b>they</b> <b>cried</b> <b>out</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>saw</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>coming</b>. “<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>PLENTY</b> <b>of</b> <b>room</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>indignantly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>arm</b>-<b>chair</b> <b>at</b> <b>one</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Have</b> <b>some</b> <b>wine</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>encouraging</b> <b>tone</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>looked</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>, <b>but</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> <b>but</b> <b>tea</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b> <b>any</b> <b>wine</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>remarked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>any</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>it</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>very</b> <b>civil</b> <b>of</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>offer</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>angrily</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>very</b> <b>civil</b> <b>of</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>sit</b> <b>down</b> <b>without</b> <b>being</b> <b>invited</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>YOUR</b> <b>table</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>laid</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>many</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> <b>three</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Your</b> <b>hair</b> <b>wants</b> <b>cutting</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>. <b>He</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>with</b> <b>great</b> <b>curiosity</b>, <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>his</b> <b>first</b> <b>speech</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>should</b> <b>learn</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>personal</b> <b>remarks</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>with</b> <b>some</b> <b>severity</b>; “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>rude</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>opened</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>very</b> <b>wide</b> <b>on</b> <b>hearing</b> <b>this</b>; <b>but</b> <b>all</b> <b>he</b> <b>SAID</b> <b>was</b>, “<b>Why</b> <b>is</b> <b>a</b> <b>raven</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>writing</b>-<b>desk</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>we</b> <b>shall</b> <b>have</b> <b>some</b> <b>fun</b> <b>now</b>!” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>glad</b> <b>they</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>begun</b> <b>asking</b> <b>riddles</b>.—<b>I</b> <b>believe</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>guess</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>added</b> <b>aloud</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b> <b>find</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>answer</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Exactly</b> <b>so</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>you</b> <b>should</b> <b>say</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>do</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>replied</b>; “<b>at</b> <b>least</b>—<b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>I</b> <b>mean</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>say</b>—<b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>. “<b>You</b> <b>might</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>say</b> <b>that</b> «<b>I</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>eat</b>» <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>as</b> «<b>I</b> <b>eat</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>see</b>»!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>might</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>say</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>, “<b>that</b> «<b>I</b> <b>like</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>get</b>» <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>as</b> «<b>I</b> <b>get</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>like</b>»!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>might</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>say</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>, <b>who</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>talking</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>sleep</b>, “<b>that</b> «<b>I</b> <b>breathe</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>sleep</b>» <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>as</b> «<b>I</b> <b>sleep</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>breathe</b>»!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>IS</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>with</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, <b>and</b> <b>here</b> <b>the</b> <b>conversation</b> <b>dropped</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>party</b> <b>sat</b> <b>silent</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b>, <b>while</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>over</b> <b>all</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>remember</b> <b>about</b> <b>ravens</b> <b>and</b> <b>writing</b>-<b>desks</b>, <b>which</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>much</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>to</b> <b>break</b> <b>the</b> <b>silence</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>day</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>month</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>said</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>: <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>taken</b> <b>his</b> <b>watch</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>pocket</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b> <b>uneasily</b>, <b>shaking</b> <b>it</b> <b>every</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b>, <b>and</b> <b>holding</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>his</b> <b>ear</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>considered</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>said</b> “<b>The</b> <b>fourth</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Two</b> <b>days</b> <b>wrong</b>!” <b>sighed</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>told</b> <b>you</b> <b>butter</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>suit</b> <b>the</b> <b>works</b>!” <b>he</b> <b>added</b> <b>looking</b> <b>angrily</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>BEST</b> <b>butter</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>meekly</b> <b>replied</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>but</b> <b>some</b> <b>crumbs</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>got</b> <b>in</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>grumbled</b>: “<b>you</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>knife</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>watch</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b> <b>gloomily</b>: <b>then</b> <b>he</b> <b>dipped</b> <b>it</b> <b>into</b> <b>his</b> <b>cup</b> <b>of</b> <b>tea</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b> <b>again</b>: <b>but</b> <b>he</b> <b>could</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>better</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>than</b> <b>his</b> <b>first</b> <b>remark</b>, “<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>BEST</b> <b>butter</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>looking</b> <b>over</b> <b>his</b> <b>shoulder</b> <b>with</b> <b>some</b> <b>curiosity</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>funny</b> <b>watch</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>remarked</b>. “<b>It</b> <b>tells</b> <b>the</b> <b>day</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>month</b>, <b>and</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>tell</b> <b>what</b> <b>o</b>'<b>clock</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b> <b>should</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>muttered</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>. “<b>Does</b> <b>YOUR</b> <b>watch</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>what</b> <b>year</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b> <b>very</b> <b>readily</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>because</b> <b>it</b> <b>stays</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>year</b> <b>for</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>time</b> <b>together</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Which</b> <b>is</b> <b>just</b> <b>the</b> <b>case</b> <b>with</b> <b>MINE</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>felt</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>puzzled</b>. <b>The</b> <b>Hatter</b>'<b>s</b> <b>remark</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>yet</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>English</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>quite</b> <b>understand</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, <b>as</b> <b>politely</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>is</b> <b>asleep</b> <b>again</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>poured</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>hot</b> <b>tea</b> <b>upon</b> <b>its</b> <b>nose</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>shook</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b> <b>impatiently</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, <b>without</b> <b>opening</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b>, “<b>Of</b> <b>course</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>; <b>just</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>remark</b> <b>myself</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Have</b> <b>you</b> <b>guessed</b> <b>the</b> <b>riddle</b> <b>yet</b>?” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>said</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>I</b> <b>give</b> <b>it</b> <b>up</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b>: “<b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>answer</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>the</b> <b>slightest</b> <b>idea</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nor</b> <b>I</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>sighed</b> <b>wearily</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>might</b> <b>do</b> <b>something</b> <b>better</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>than</b> <b>waste</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>asking</b> <b>riddles</b> <b>that</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>answers</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>knew</b> <b>Time</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>do</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, “<b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>wasting</b> <b>IT</b>. <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>HIM</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>said</b>, <b>tossing</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b> <b>contemptuously</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>dare</b> <b>say</b> <b>you</b> <b>never</b> <b>even</b> <b>spoke</b> <b>to</b> <b>Time</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Perhaps</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>cautiously</b> <b>replied</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>beat</b> <b>time</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>learn</b> <b>music</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ah</b>! <b>that</b> <b>accounts</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>. “<b>He</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>stand</b> <b>beating</b>. <b>Now</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>only</b> <b>kept</b> <b>on</b> <b>good</b> <b>terms</b> <b>with</b> <b>him</b>, <b>he</b>'<b>d</b> <b>do</b> <b>almost</b> <b>anything</b> <b>you</b> <b>liked</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>clock</b>. <b>For</b> <b>instance</b>, <b>suppose</b> <b>it</b> <b>were</b> <b>nine</b> <b>o</b>'<b>clock</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>morning</b>, <b>just</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>lessons</b>: <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>only</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>whisper</b> <b>a</b> <b>hint</b> <b>to</b> <b>Time</b>, <b>and</b> <b>round</b> <b>goes</b> <b>the</b> <b>clock</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>twinkling</b>! <b>Half</b>-<b>past</b> <b>one</b>, <b>time</b> <b>for</b> <b>dinner</b>!”<br>
|
||||
(`<b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>wish</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>whisper</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>grand</b>, <b>certainly</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>thoughtfully</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>then</b>—<b>I</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>hungry</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b>, <b>perhaps</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>keep</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>half</b>-<b>past</b> <b>one</b> <b>as</b> <b>long</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>liked</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Is</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>YOU</b> <b>manage</b>?” <b>Alice</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>shook</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b> <b>mournfully</b>. “<b>Not</b> <b>I</b>!” <b>he</b> <b>replied</b>. “<b>We</b> <b>quarrelled</b> <b>last</b> <b>March</b>—<b>just</b> <b>before</b> <b>HE</b> <b>went</b> <b>mad</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—” (<b>pointing</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>tea</b> <b>spoon</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>,) “—<b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>concert</b> <b>given</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>of</b> <b>Hearts</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>sing</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
«<b>Twinkle</b>, <b>twinkle</b>, <b>little</b> <b>bat</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>How</b> <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>at</b>!»<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>You</b> <b>know</b> <b>the</b> <b>song</b>, <b>perhaps</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>heard</b> <b>something</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>goes</b> <b>on</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>continued</b>, “<b>in</b> <b>this</b> <b>way</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
«<b>Up</b> <b>above</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>you</b> <b>fly</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Like</b> <b>a</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>tray</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sky</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Twinkle</b>, <b>twinkle</b>—"“<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>shook</b> <b>itself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>singing</b> <b>in</b> <b>its</b> <b>sleep</b> “<b>Twinkle</b>, <b>twinkle</b>, <b>twinkle</b>, <b>twinkle</b>—” <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>so</b> <b>long</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>pinch</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>it</b> <b>stop</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>finished</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>verse</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, “<b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>bawled</b> <b>out</b>, «<b>He</b>'<b>s</b> <b>murdering</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b>! <b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>!"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>savage</b>!” <b>exclaimed</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>ever</b> <b>since</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>mournful</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>he</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>do</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b> <b>I</b> <b>ask</b>! <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>always</b> <b>six</b> <b>o</b>'<b>clock</b> <b>now</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> <b>bright</b> <b>idea</b> <b>came</b> <b>into</b> <b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b> <b>head</b>. “<b>Is</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>things</b> <b>are</b> <b>put</b> <b>out</b> <b>here</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>sigh</b>: “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>always</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>time</b>, <b>and</b> <b>we</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>no</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>wash</b> <b>the</b> <b>things</b> <b>between</b> <b>whiles</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>you</b> <b>keep</b> <b>moving</b> <b>round</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Exactly</b> <b>so</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>: “<b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>things</b> <b>get</b> <b>used</b> <b>up</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>what</b> <b>happens</b> <b>when</b> <b>you</b> <b>come</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>again</b>?” <b>Alice</b> <b>ventured</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Suppose</b> <b>we</b> <b>change</b> <b>the</b> <b>subject</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>interrupted</b>, <b>yawning</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>getting</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b>. <b>I</b> <b>vote</b> <b>the</b> <b>young</b> <b>lady</b> <b>tells</b> <b>us</b> <b>a</b> <b>story</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>one</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>rather</b> <b>alarmed</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>proposal</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>shall</b>!” <b>they</b> <b>both</b> <b>cried</b>. “<b>Wake</b> <b>up</b>, <b>Dormouse</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>they</b> <b>pinched</b> <b>it</b> <b>on</b> <b>both</b> <b>sides</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>opened</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>asleep</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hoarse</b>, <b>feeble</b> <b>voice</b>: “<b>I</b> <b>heard</b> <b>every</b> <b>word</b> <b>you</b> <b>fellows</b> <b>were</b> <b>saying</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Tell</b> <b>us</b> <b>a</b> <b>story</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>please</b> <b>do</b>!” <b>pleaded</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>be</b> <b>quick</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, “<b>or</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>asleep</b> <b>again</b> <b>before</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>done</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Once</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>time</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>three</b> <b>little</b> <b>sisters</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>began</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>their</b> <b>names</b> <b>were</b> <b>Elsie</b>, <b>Lacie</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Tillie</b>; <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>lived</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottom</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>well</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>live</b> <b>on</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>who</b> <b>always</b> <b>took</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>interest</b> <b>in</b> <b>questions</b> <b>of</b> <b>eating</b> <b>and</b> <b>drinking</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>lived</b> <b>on</b> <b>treacle</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>, <b>after</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>done</b> <b>that</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>gently</b> <b>remarked</b>; “<b>they</b>'<b>d</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>ill</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>; “<b>VERY</b> <b>ill</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>fancy</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>what</b> <b>such</b> <b>an</b> <b>extraordinary</b> <b>ways</b> <b>of</b> <b>living</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>like</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>her</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>: “<b>But</b> <b>why</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>live</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottom</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>well</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Take</b> <b>some</b> <b>more</b> <b>tea</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>very</b> <b>earnestly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>had</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>yet</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>offended</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>so</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>take</b> <b>more</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>mean</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>take</b> <b>LESS</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>: “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>easy</b> <b>to</b> <b>take</b> <b>MORE</b> <b>than</b> <b>nothing</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nobody</b> <b>asked</b> <b>YOUR</b> <b>opinion</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b>'<b>s</b> <b>making</b> <b>personal</b> <b>remarks</b> <b>now</b>?” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>asked</b> <b>triumphantly</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>quite</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>to</b> <b>this</b>: <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>helped</b> <b>herself</b> <b>to</b> <b>some</b> <b>tea</b> <b>and</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>turned</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>, <b>and</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>her</b> <b>question</b>. “<b>Why</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>live</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottom</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>well</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>again</b> <b>took</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>treacle</b>-<b>well</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>such</b> <b>thing</b>!” <b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>very</b> <b>angrily</b>, <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>went</b> “<b>Sh</b>! <b>sh</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>sulkily</b> <b>remarked</b>, “<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>civil</b>, <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>finish</b> <b>the</b> <b>story</b> <b>for</b> <b>yourself</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>please</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b>!” <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>very</b> <b>humbly</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>interrupt</b> <b>again</b>. <b>I</b> <b>dare</b> <b>say</b> <b>there</b> <b>may</b> <b>be</b> <b>ONE</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>One</b>, <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>indignantly</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>he</b> <b>consented</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b>. “<b>And</b> <b>so</b> <b>these</b> <b>three</b> <b>little</b> <b>sisters</b>—<b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>learning</b> <b>to</b> <b>draw</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>draw</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>quite</b> <b>forgetting</b> <b>her</b> <b>promise</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Treacle</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>, <b>without</b> <b>considering</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>want</b> <b>a</b> <b>clean</b> <b>cup</b>,” <b>interrupted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>: “<b>let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>move</b> <b>one</b> <b>place</b> <b>on</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>He</b> <b>moved</b> <b>on</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>followed</b> <b>him</b>: <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>moved</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>'<b>s</b> <b>place</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>rather</b> <b>unwillingly</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>place</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>. <b>The</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>only</b> <b>one</b> <b>who</b> <b>got</b> <b>any</b> <b>advantage</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>change</b>: <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>worse</b> <b>off</b> <b>than</b> <b>before</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>upset</b> <b>the</b> <b>milk</b>-<b>jug</b> <b>into</b> <b>his</b> <b>plate</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>wish</b> <b>to</b> <b>offend</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>again</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>very</b> <b>cautiously</b>: “<b>But</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>understand</b>. <b>Where</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>draw</b> <b>the</b> <b>treacle</b> <b>from</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>can</b> <b>draw</b> <b>water</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>water</b>-<b>well</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>; “<b>so</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>draw</b> <b>treacle</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>treacle</b>-<b>well</b>—<b>eh</b>, <b>stupid</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>IN</b> <b>the</b> <b>well</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>, <b>not</b> <b>choosing</b> <b>to</b> <b>notice</b> <b>this</b> <b>last</b> <b>remark</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b>', <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>; “—<b>well</b> <b>in</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>answer</b> <b>so</b> <b>confused</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>let</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>without</b> <b>interrupting</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>were</b> <b>learning</b> <b>to</b> <b>draw</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>yawning</b> <b>and</b> <b>rubbing</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b>, <b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>getting</b> <b>very</b> <b>sleepy</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>drew</b> <b>all</b> <b>manner</b> <b>of</b> <b>things</b>—<b>everything</b> <b>that</b> <b>begins</b> <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>M</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b> <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>M</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b> <b>not</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>silent</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>had</b> <b>closed</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>off</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>doze</b>; <b>but</b>, <b>on</b> <b>being</b> <b>pinched</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, <b>it</b> <b>woke</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>shriek</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>: “—<b>that</b> <b>begins</b> <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>M</b>, <b>such</b> <b>as</b> <b>mouse</b>-<b>traps</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>moon</b>, <b>and</b> <b>memory</b>, <b>and</b> <b>muchness</b>— <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>you</b> <b>say</b> <b>things</b> <b>are</b> «<b>much</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>muchness</b>"—<b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>ever</b> <b>see</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b> <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>drawing</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>muchness</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Really</b>, <b>now</b> <b>you</b> <b>ask</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>confused</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>you</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>piece</b> <b>of</b> <b>rudeness</b> <b>was</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>bear</b>: <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>great</b> <b>disgust</b>, <b>and</b> <b>walked</b> <b>off</b>; <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>fell</b> <b>asleep</b> <b>instantly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>neither</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>others</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>least</b> <b>notice</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>going</b>, <b>though</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>back</b> <b>once</b> <b>or</b> <b>twice</b>, <b>half</b> <b>hoping</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>would</b> <b>call</b> <b>after</b> <b>her</b>: <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>saw</b> <b>them</b>, <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>teapot</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>At</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>never</b> <b>go</b> <b>THERE</b> <b>again</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>picked</b> <b>her</b> <b>way</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>stupidest</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>party</b> <b>I</b> <b>ever</b> <b>was</b> <b>at</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>my</b> <b>life</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Just</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>that</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>door</b> <b>leading</b> <b>right</b> <b>into</b> <b>it</b>. “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>. “<b>But</b> <b>everything</b>'<b>s</b> <b>curious</b> <b>today</b>. <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>may</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>go</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>in</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Once</b> <b>more</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>long</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>and</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>glass</b> <b>table</b>. “<b>Now</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>manage</b> <b>better</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>by</b> <b>taking</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b>, <b>and</b> <b>unlocking</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>that</b> <b>led</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>. <b>Then</b> <b>she</b> <b>wet</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>nibbling</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>mushroom</b> (<b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>kept</b> <b>a</b> <b>piece</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>pocked</b>) <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>about</b> <b>a</b> <b>foot</b> <b>high</b>: <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>passage</b>: <b>and</b> <b>THEN</b>—<b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>beautiful</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>bright</b> <b>flower</b>-<b>beds</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>cool</b> <b>fountains</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>VIII</b><br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> <b>QUEEN</b>'<b>S</b> <b>CROQUET</b>-<b>GROUND</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> <b>large</b> <b>rose</b>-<b>tree</b> <b>stood</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>entrance</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>: <b>the</b> <b>roses</b> <b>growing</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> <b>were</b> <b>white</b>, <b>but</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>three</b> <b>gardeners</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b>, <b>busily</b> <b>painting</b> <b>them</b> <b>red</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>this</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b> <b>thing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>nearer</b> <b>to</b> <b>watch</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>say</b>, “<b>Look</b> <b>out</b> <b>now</b>, <b>Five</b>! <b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>go</b> <b>splashing</b> <b>paint</b> <b>over</b> <b>me</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>help</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Five</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>sulky</b> <b>tone</b>; “<b>Seven</b> <b>jogged</b> <b>my</b> <b>elbow</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>On</b> <b>which</b> <b>Seven</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>right</b>, <b>Five</b>! <b>Always</b> <b>lay</b> <b>the</b> <b>blame</b> <b>on</b> <b>others</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>YOU</b>'<b>D</b> <b>better</b> <b>not</b> <b>talk</b>!'<b>said</b> <b>Five</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>say</b> <b>only</b> <b>yesterday</b> <b>you</b> <b>deserved</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>beheaded</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>for</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>one</b> <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>spoken</b> <b>first</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>none</b> <b>of</b> <b>YOUR</b> <b>business</b>, <b>Two</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Seven</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>it</b> <b>IS</b> <b>his</b> <b>business</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Five</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>tell</b> <b>him</b>—<b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>for</b> <b>bringing</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>tulip</b>-<b>roots</b> <b>instead</b> <b>of</b> <b>onions</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Seven</b> <b>flung</b> <b>down</b> <b>his</b> <b>brush</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>begun</b> “<b>Well</b>, <b>of</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>unjust</b> <b>things</b>—” <b>when</b> <b>his</b> <b>eye</b> <b>chanced</b> <b>to</b> <b>fall</b> <b>upon</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>stood</b> <b>watching</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>checked</b> <b>himself</b> <b>suddenly</b>: <b>the</b> <b>others</b> <b>looked</b> <b>round</b> <b>also</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>bowed</b> <b>low</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Would</b> <b>you</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>timidly</b>, “<b>why</b> <b>you</b> <b>are</b> <b>painting</b> <b>those</b> <b>roses</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>Five</b> <b>and</b> <b>Seven</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>, <b>but</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>Two</b>. <b>Two</b> <b>began</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>Why</b> <b>the</b> <b>fact</b> <b>is</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>Miss</b>, <b>this</b> <b>here</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>a</b> <b>RED</b> <b>rose</b>-<b>tree</b>, <b>and</b> <b>we</b> <b>put</b> <b>a</b> <b>white</b> <b>one</b> <b>in</b> <b>by</b> <b>mistake</b>; <b>and</b> <b>if</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>was</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b>, <b>we</b> <b>should</b> <b>all</b> <b>have</b> <b>our</b> <b>heads</b> <b>cut</b> <b>off</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>So</b> <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>Miss</b>, <b>we</b>'<b>re</b> <b>doing</b> <b>our</b> <b>best</b>, <b>afore</b> <b>she</b> <b>comes</b>, <b>to</b>—” <b>At</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b> <b>Five</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>looking</b> <b>across</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>called</b> <b>out</b> “<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b>! <b>The</b> <b>Queen</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> <b>gardeners</b> <b>instantly</b> <b>threw</b> <b>themselves</b> <b>flat</b> <b>upon</b> <b>their</b> <b>faces</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>sound</b> <b>of</b> <b>many</b> <b>footsteps</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>looked</b> <b>round</b>, <b>eager</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>First</b> <b>came</b> <b>ten</b> <b>soldiers</b> <b>carrying</b> <b>clubs</b>; <b>these</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>shaped</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> <b>gardeners</b>, <b>oblong</b> <b>and</b> <b>flat</b>, <b>with</b> <b>their</b> <b>hands</b> <b>and</b> <b>feet</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>corners</b>: <b>next</b> <b>the</b> <b>ten</b> <b>courtiers</b>; <b>these</b> <b>were</b> <b>ornamented</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b> <b>with</b> <b>diamonds</b>, <b>and</b> <b>walked</b> <b>two</b> <b>and</b> <b>two</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>soldiers</b> <b>did</b>. <b>After</b> <b>these</b> <b>came</b> <b>the</b> <b>royal</b> <b>children</b>; <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>ten</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>dears</b> <b>came</b> <b>jumping</b> <b>merrily</b> <b>along</b> <b>hand</b> <b>in</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>in</b> <b>couples</b>: <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>ornamented</b> <b>with</b> <b>hearts</b>. <b>Next</b> <b>came</b> <b>the</b> <b>guests</b>, <b>mostly</b> <b>Kings</b> <b>and</b> <b>Queens</b>, <b>and</b> <b>among</b> <b>them</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>recognised</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>: <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>talking</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>nervous</b> <b>manner</b>, <b>smiling</b> <b>at</b> <b>everything</b> <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>said</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>by</b> <b>without</b> <b>noticing</b> <b>her</b>. <b>Then</b> <b>followed</b> <b>the</b> <b>Knave</b> <b>of</b> <b>Hearts</b>, <b>carrying</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>'<b>s</b> <b>crown</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>crimson</b> <b>velvet</b> <b>cushion</b>; <b>and</b>, <b>last</b> <b>of</b> <b>all</b> <b>this</b> <b>grand</b> <b>procession</b>, <b>came</b> <b>THE</b> <b>KING</b> <b>AND</b> <b>QUEEN</b> <b>OF</b> <b>HEARTS</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>rather</b> <b>doubtful</b> <b>whether</b> <b>she</b> <b>ought</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>lie</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> <b>gardeners</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>remember</b> <b>every</b> <b>having</b> <b>heard</b> <b>of</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>rule</b> <b>at</b> <b>processions</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>besides</b>, <b>what</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>the</b> <b>use</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>procession</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>she</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>people</b> <b>had</b> <b>all</b> <b>to</b> <b>lie</b> <b>down</b> <b>upon</b> <b>their</b> <b>faces</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>stood</b> <b>still</b> <b>where</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b>, <b>and</b> <b>waited</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>When</b> <b>the</b> <b>procession</b> <b>came</b> <b>opposite</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>stopped</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>said</b> <b>severely</b> “<b>Who</b> <b>is</b> <b>this</b>?” <b>She</b> <b>said</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Knave</b> <b>of</b> <b>Hearts</b>, <b>who</b> <b>only</b> <b>bowed</b> <b>and</b> <b>smiled</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Idiot</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>tossing</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>impatiently</b>; <b>and</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>What</b>'<b>s</b> <b>your</b> <b>name</b>, <b>child</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>My</b> <b>name</b> <b>is</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>so</b> <b>please</b> <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>added</b>, <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>Why</b>, <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>only</b> <b>a</b> <b>pack</b> <b>of</b> <b>cards</b>, <b>after</b> <b>all</b>. <b>I</b> <b>needn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>who</b> <b>are</b> <b>THESE</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>pointing</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> <b>gardeners</b> <b>who</b> <b>were</b> <b>lying</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>rosetree</b>; <b>for</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>lying</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>faces</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>pattern</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>backs</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>pack</b>, <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>tell</b> <b>whether</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>gardeners</b>, <b>or</b> <b>soldiers</b>, <b>or</b> <b>courtiers</b>, <b>or</b> <b>three</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>children</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>should</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>surprised</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>courage</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>business</b> <b>of</b> <b>MINE</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>turned</b> <b>crimson</b> <b>with</b> <b>fury</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>after</b> <b>glaring</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>wild</b> <b>beast</b>, <b>screamed</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>! <b>Off</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nonsense</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>very</b> <b>loudly</b> <b>and</b> <b>decidedly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>was</b> <b>silent</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b> <b>laid</b> <b>his</b> <b>hand</b> <b>upon</b> <b>her</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>and</b> <b>timidly</b> <b>said</b> “<b>Consider</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>: <b>she</b> <b>is</b> <b>only</b> <b>a</b> <b>child</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>turned</b> <b>angrily</b> <b>away</b> <b>from</b> <b>him</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Knave</b> “<b>Turn</b> <b>them</b> <b>over</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Knave</b> <b>did</b> <b>so</b>, <b>very</b> <b>carefully</b>, <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>foot</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Get</b> <b>up</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>shrill</b>, <b>loud</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> <b>gardeners</b> <b>instantly</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>bowing</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>the</b> <b>royal</b> <b>children</b>, <b>and</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>else</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Leave</b> <b>off</b> <b>that</b>!” <b>screamed</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>. “<b>You</b> <b>make</b> <b>me</b> <b>giddy</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>then</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>rose</b>-<b>tree</b>, <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>What</b> <b>HAVE</b> <b>you</b> <b>been</b> <b>doing</b> <b>here</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>May</b> <b>it</b> <b>please</b> <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Two</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>humble</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>going</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b> <b>knee</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>, “<b>we</b> <b>were</b> <b>trying</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>see</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>meanwhile</b> <b>been</b> <b>examining</b> <b>the</b> <b>roses</b>. “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>procession</b> <b>moved</b> <b>on</b>, <b>three</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>soldiers</b> <b>remaining</b> <b>behind</b> <b>to</b> <b>execute</b> <b>the</b> <b>unfortunate</b> <b>gardeners</b>, <b>who</b> <b>ran</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>for</b> <b>protection</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>beheaded</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>put</b> <b>them</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>flower</b>-<b>pot</b> <b>that</b> <b>stood</b> <b>near</b>. <b>The</b> <b>three</b> <b>soldiers</b> <b>wandered</b> <b>about</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>quietly</b> <b>marched</b> <b>off</b> <b>after</b> <b>the</b> <b>others</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Are</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>off</b>?” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>are</b> <b>gone</b>, <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>please</b> <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>soldiers</b> <b>shouted</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>right</b>!” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>. “<b>Can</b> <b>you</b> <b>play</b> <b>croquet</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>soldiers</b> <b>were</b> <b>silent</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>question</b> <b>was</b> <b>evidently</b> <b>meant</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>!” <b>shouted</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b> <b>on</b>, <b>then</b>!” <b>roared</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>joined</b> <b>the</b> <b>procession</b>, <b>wondering</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>what</b> <b>would</b> <b>happen</b> <b>next</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b>—<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>fine</b> <b>day</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>a</b> <b>timid</b> <b>voice</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>side</b>. <b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>walking</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>peeping</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Very</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>: “—<b>where</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hush</b>! <b>Hush</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b>, <b>hurried</b> <b>tone</b>. <b>He</b> <b>looked</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>over</b> <b>his</b> <b>shoulder</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>raised</b> <b>himself</b> <b>upon</b> <b>tiptoe</b>, <b>put</b> <b>his</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>ear</b>, <b>and</b> <b>whispered</b> “<b>She</b>'<b>s</b> <b>under</b> <b>sentence</b> <b>of</b> <b>execution</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>for</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Did</b> <b>you</b> <b>say</b> «<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>pity</b>!»?” <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>: “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>a</b> <b>pity</b>. <b>I</b> <b>said</b> «<b>What</b> <b>for</b>?"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>She</b> <b>boxed</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>ears</b>—” <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>began</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>gave</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>scream</b> <b>of</b> <b>laughter</b>. “<b>Oh</b>, <b>hush</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>whispered</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>tone</b>. “<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>will</b> <b>hear</b> <b>you</b>! <b>You</b> <b>see</b>, <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>rather</b> <b>late</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>said</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Get</b> <b>to</b> <b>your</b> <b>places</b>!” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>voice</b> <b>of</b> <b>thunder</b>, <b>and</b> <b>people</b> <b>began</b> <b>running</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>directions</b>, <b>tumbling</b> <b>up</b> <b>against</b> <b>each</b> <b>other</b>; <b>however</b>, <b>they</b> <b>got</b> <b>settled</b> <b>down</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b> <b>began</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>seen</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>croquet</b>-<b>ground</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>life</b>; <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>ridges</b> <b>and</b> <b>furrows</b>; <b>the</b> <b>balls</b> <b>were</b> <b>live</b> <b>hedgehogs</b>, <b>the</b> <b>mallets</b> <b>live</b> <b>flamingoes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>soldiers</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>double</b> <b>themselves</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>to</b> <b>stand</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>hands</b> <b>and</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>the</b> <b>arches</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>chief</b> <b>difficulty</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>found</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>managing</b> <b>her</b> <b>flamingo</b>: <b>she</b> <b>succeeded</b> <b>in</b> <b>getting</b> <b>its</b> <b>body</b> <b>tucked</b> <b>away</b>, <b>comfortably</b> <b>enough</b>, <b>under</b> <b>her</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>legs</b> <b>hanging</b> <b>down</b>, <b>but</b> <b>generally</b>, <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>its</b> <b>neck</b> <b>nicely</b> <b>straightened</b> <b>out</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>give</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedgehog</b> <b>a</b> <b>blow</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b>, <b>it</b> <b>WOULD</b> <b>twist</b> <b>itself</b> <b>round</b> <b>and</b> <b>look</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>, <b>with</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>expression</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>help</b> <b>bursting</b> <b>out</b> <b>laughing</b>: <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b> <b>down</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>again</b>, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>provoking</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedgehog</b> <b>had</b> <b>unrolled</b> <b>itself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>act</b> <b>of</b> <b>crawling</b> <b>away</b>: <b>besides</b> <b>all</b> <b>this</b>, <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>generally</b> <b>a</b> <b>ridge</b> <b>or</b> <b>furrow</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>wherever</b> <b>she</b> <b>wanted</b> <b>to</b> <b>send</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedgehog</b> <b>to</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>doubled</b>-<b>up</b> <b>soldiers</b> <b>were</b> <b>always</b> <b>getting</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>walking</b> <b>off</b> <b>to</b> <b>other</b> <b>parts</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>soon</b> <b>came</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>conclusion</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>difficult</b> <b>game</b> <b>indeed</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>players</b> <b>all</b> <b>played</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>without</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>for</b> <b>turns</b>, <b>quarrelling</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>while</b>, <b>and</b> <b>fighting</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedgehogs</b>; <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>short</b> <b>time</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>furious</b> <b>passion</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>stamping</b> <b>about</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shouting</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>or</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>about</b> <b>once</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>feel</b> <b>very</b> <b>uneasy</b>: <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>sure</b>, <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>as</b> <b>yet</b> <b>had</b> <b>any</b> <b>dispute</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>happen</b> <b>any</b> <b>minute</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>then</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>she</b>, “<b>what</b> <b>would</b> <b>become</b> <b>of</b> <b>me</b>? <b>They</b>'<b>re</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>fond</b> <b>of</b> <b>beheading</b> <b>people</b> <b>here</b>; <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>is</b>, <b>that</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>any</b> <b>one</b> <b>left</b> <b>alive</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>about</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>escape</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wondering</b> <b>whether</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>get</b> <b>away</b> <b>without</b> <b>being</b> <b>seen</b>, <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>appearance</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>: <b>it</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>her</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b>, <b>but</b>, <b>after</b> <b>watching</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>grin</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cheshire</b> <b>Cat</b>: <b>now</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>have</b> <b>somebody</b> <b>to</b> <b>talk</b> <b>to</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>getting</b> <b>on</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>, <b>as</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>enough</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>with</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>waited</b> <b>till</b> <b>the</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>appeared</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>nodded</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>speaking</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, “<b>till</b> <b>its</b> <b>ears</b> <b>have</b> <b>come</b>, <b>or</b> <b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>.” <b>In</b> <b>another</b> <b>minute</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>head</b> <b>appeared</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>put</b> <b>down</b> <b>her</b> <b>flamingo</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>an</b> <b>account</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>, <b>feeling</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>someone</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>. <b>The</b> <b>Cat</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>that</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>enough</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>now</b> <b>in</b> <b>sight</b>, <b>and</b> <b>no</b> <b>more</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>appeared</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b> <b>they</b> <b>play</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>fairly</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>began</b>, <b>in</b> <b>rather</b> <b>a</b> <b>complaining</b> <b>tone</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>quarrel</b> <b>so</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>one</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>hear</b> <b>oneself</b> <b>speak</b>—<b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>any</b> <b>rules</b> <b>in</b> <b>particular</b>; <b>at</b> <b>least</b>, <b>if</b> <b>there</b> <b>are</b>, <b>nobody</b> <b>attends</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>—<b>and</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>no</b> <b>idea</b> <b>how</b> <b>confusing</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>things</b> <b>being</b> <b>alive</b>; <b>for</b> <b>instance</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>arch</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>through</b> <b>next</b> <b>walking</b> <b>about</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b>—<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>have</b> <b>croqueted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hedgehog</b> <b>just</b> <b>now</b>, <b>only</b> <b>it</b> <b>ran</b> <b>away</b> <b>when</b> <b>it</b> <b>saw</b> <b>mine</b> <b>coming</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>: “<b>she</b>'<b>s</b> <b>so</b> <b>extremely</b>—” <b>Just</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>was</b> <b>close</b> <b>behind</b> <b>her</b>, <b>listening</b>: <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “—<b>likely</b> <b>to</b> <b>win</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>worth</b> <b>while</b> <b>finishing</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>smiled</b> <b>and</b> <b>passed</b> <b>on</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b> <b>ARE</b> <b>you</b> <b>talking</b> <b>to</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>going</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b>'<b>s</b> <b>head</b> <b>with</b> <b>great</b> <b>curiosity</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>friend</b> <b>of</b> <b>mine</b>—<b>a</b> <b>Cheshire</b> <b>Cat</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>: “<b>allow</b> <b>me</b> <b>to</b> <b>introduce</b> <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>: “<b>however</b>, <b>it</b> <b>may</b> <b>kiss</b> <b>my</b> <b>hand</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>likes</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>rather</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Cat</b> <b>remarked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>impertinent</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>me</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!” <b>He</b> <b>got</b> <b>behind</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>cat</b> <b>may</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>a</b> <b>king</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>read</b> <b>that</b> <b>in</b> <b>some</b> <b>book</b>, <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b> <b>where</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>removed</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>very</b> <b>decidedly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>called</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>passing</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b>, “<b>My</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>this</b> <b>cat</b> <b>removed</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>had</b> <b>only</b> <b>one</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>settling</b> <b>all</b> <b>difficulties</b>, <b>great</b> <b>or</b> <b>small</b>. “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, <b>without</b> <b>even</b> <b>looking</b> <b>round</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>fetch</b> <b>the</b> <b>executioner</b> <b>myself</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>eagerly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>go</b> <b>back</b>, <b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>how</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>voice</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>, <b>screaming</b> <b>with</b> <b>passion</b>. <b>She</b> <b>had</b> <b>already</b> <b>heard</b> <b>her</b> <b>sentence</b> <b>three</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>players</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>executed</b> <b>for</b> <b>having</b> <b>missed</b> <b>their</b> <b>turns</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b> <b>of</b> <b>things</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>such</b> <b>confusion</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>never</b> <b>knew</b> <b>whether</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>her</b> <b>turn</b> <b>or</b> <b>not</b>. <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>in</b> <b>search</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>hedgehog</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>hedgehog</b> <b>was</b> <b>engaged</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>fight</b> <b>with</b> <b>another</b> <b>hedgehog</b>, <b>which</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>an</b> <b>excellent</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>for</b> <b>croqueting</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>: <b>the</b> <b>only</b> <b>difficulty</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>her</b> <b>flamingo</b> <b>was</b> <b>gone</b> <b>across</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>where</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>trying</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>helpless</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>way</b> <b>to</b> <b>fly</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>tree</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>By</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>caught</b> <b>the</b> <b>flamingo</b> <b>and</b> <b>brought</b> <b>it</b> <b>back</b>, <b>the</b> <b>fight</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b>, <b>and</b> <b>both</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedgehogs</b> <b>were</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>matter</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>as</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>arches</b> <b>are</b> <b>gone</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b>.” <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>tucked</b> <b>it</b> <b>away</b> <b>under</b> <b>her</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>not</b> <b>escape</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>back</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>more</b> <b>conversation</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>friend</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>When</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Cheshire</b> <b>Cat</b>, <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>crowd</b> <b>collected</b> <b>round</b> <b>it</b>: <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>dispute</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b> <b>between</b> <b>the</b> <b>executioner</b>, <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>who</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>talking</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>while</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>were</b> <b>quite</b> <b>silent</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>very</b> <b>uncomfortable</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>moment</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>appeared</b>, <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>appealed</b> <b>to</b> <b>by</b> <b>all</b> <b>three</b> <b>to</b> <b>settle</b> <b>the</b> <b>question</b>, <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>their</b> <b>arguments</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, <b>though</b>, <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>spoke</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>it</b> <b>very</b> <b>hard</b> <b>indeed</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>exactly</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b> <b>said</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>executioner</b>'<b>s</b> <b>argument</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>cut</b> <b>off</b> <b>a</b> <b>head</b> <b>unless</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>body</b> <b>to</b> <b>cut</b> <b>it</b> <b>off</b> <b>from</b>: <b>that</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b> <b>before</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>at</b> <b>HIS</b> <b>time</b> <b>of</b> <b>life</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b>'<b>s</b> <b>argument</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>anything</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>head</b> <b>could</b> <b>be</b> <b>beheaded</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>weren</b>'<b>t</b> <b>to</b> <b>talk</b> <b>nonsense</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>argument</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>if</b> <b>something</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>done</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>less</b> <b>than</b> <b>no</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b>'<b>d</b> <b>have</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>executed</b>, <b>all</b> <b>round</b>. (<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>this</b> <b>last</b> <b>remark</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>made</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>party</b> <b>look</b> <b>so</b> <b>grave</b> <b>and</b> <b>anxious</b>.)<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>else</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>but</b> “<b>It</b> <b>belongs</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>: <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>ask</b> <b>HER</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>She</b>'<b>s</b> <b>in</b> <b>prison</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>executioner</b>: “<b>fetch</b> <b>her</b> <b>here</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>the</b> <b>executioner</b> <b>went</b> <b>off</b> <b>like</b> <b>an</b> <b>arrow</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Cat</b>'<b>s</b> <b>head</b> <b>began</b> <b>fading</b> <b>away</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>gone</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>disappeared</b>; <b>so</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>executioner</b> <b>ran</b> <b>wildly</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>down</b> <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>, <b>while</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>party</b> <b>went</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>IX</b><br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> <b>MOCK</b> <b>TURTLE</b>'<b>S</b> <b>STORY</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>glad</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>you</b> <b>again</b>, <b>you</b> <b>dear</b> <b>old</b> <b>thing</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>tucked</b> <b>her</b> <b>arm</b> <b>affectionately</b> <b>into</b> <b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b>, <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>walked</b> <b>off</b> <b>together</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>her</b> <b>in</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>pleasant</b> <b>temper</b>, <b>and</b> <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>that</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>only</b> <b>the</b> <b>pepper</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>so</b> <b>savage</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>met</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>kitchen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>When</b> <b>I</b>'<b>M</b> <b>a</b> <b>Duchess</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, (<b>not</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>hopeful</b> <b>tone</b> <b>though</b>), “<b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>any</b> <b>pepper</b> <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>kitchen</b> <b>AT</b> <b>ALL</b>. <b>Soup</b> <b>does</b> <b>very</b> <b>well</b> <b>without</b>—<b>Maybe</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>always</b> <b>pepper</b> <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>people</b> <b>hot</b>-<b>tempered</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>at</b> <b>having</b> <b>found</b> <b>out</b> <b>a</b> <b>new</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>rule</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>vinegar</b> <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>them</b> <b>sour</b>—<b>and</b> <b>camomile</b> <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>them</b> <b>bitter</b>—<b>and</b>—<b>and</b> <b>barley</b>-<b>sugar</b> <b>and</b> <b>such</b> <b>things</b> <b>that</b> <b>make</b> <b>children</b> <b>sweet</b>-<b>tempered</b>. <b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>wish</b> <b>people</b> <b>knew</b> <b>that</b>: <b>then</b> <b>they</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>so</b> <b>stingy</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>had</b> <b>quite</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>startled</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>her</b> <b>voice</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>ear</b>. “<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>about</b> <b>something</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>you</b> <b>forget</b> <b>to</b> <b>talk</b>. <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>just</b> <b>now</b> <b>what</b> <b>the</b> <b>moral</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>, <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>remember</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Perhaps</b> <b>it</b> <b>hasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>one</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>ventured</b> <b>to</b> <b>remark</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Tut</b>, <b>tut</b>, <b>child</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>. “<b>Everything</b>'<b>s</b> <b>got</b> <b>a</b> <b>moral</b>, <b>if</b> <b>only</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b> <b>find</b> <b>it</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>squeezed</b> <b>herself</b> <b>up</b> <b>closer</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b> <b>side</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>much</b> <b>like</b> <b>keeping</b> <b>so</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>: <b>first</b>, <b>because</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>was</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>ugly</b>; <b>and</b> <b>secondly</b>, <b>because</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>exactly</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>height</b> <b>to</b> <b>rest</b> <b>her</b> <b>chin</b> <b>upon</b> <b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b> <b>shoulder</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>uncomfortably</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>chin</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>rude</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>bore</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>game</b>'<b>s</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b> <b>rather</b> <b>better</b> <b>now</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, <b>by</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>keeping</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>conversation</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>.<br>
|
||||
“'<b>Tis</b> <b>so</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>: “<b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>moral</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>Oh</b>, '<b>tis</b> <b>love</b>, '<b>tis</b> <b>love</b>, <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>go</b> <b>round</b>!"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Somebody</b> <b>said</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>whispered</b>, “<b>that</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>done</b> <b>by</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>minding</b> <b>their</b> <b>own</b> <b>business</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ah</b>, <b>well</b>! <b>It</b> <b>means</b> <b>much</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>, <b>digging</b> <b>her</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>little</b> <b>chin</b> <b>into</b> <b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b> <b>shoulder</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>added</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>moral</b> <b>of</b> <b>THAT</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>Take</b> <b>care</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sense</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>sounds</b> <b>will</b> <b>take</b> <b>care</b> <b>of</b> <b>themselves</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>fond</b> <b>she</b> <b>is</b> <b>of</b> <b>finding</b> <b>morals</b> <b>in</b> <b>things</b>!” <b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>dare</b> <b>say</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>wondering</b> <b>why</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>put</b> <b>my</b> <b>arm</b> <b>round</b> <b>your</b> <b>waist</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>said</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>pause</b>: “<b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>is</b>, <b>that</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>doubtful</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>temper</b> <b>of</b> <b>your</b> <b>flamingo</b>. <b>Shall</b> <b>I</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>experiment</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>HE</b> <b>might</b> <b>bite</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>cautiously</b> <b>replied</b>, <b>not</b> <b>feeling</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>anxious</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>the</b> <b>experiment</b> <b>tried</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Very</b> <b>true</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>: “<b>flamingoes</b> <b>and</b> <b>mustard</b> <b>both</b> <b>bite</b>. <b>And</b> <b>the</b> <b>moral</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>Birds</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>feather</b> <b>flock</b> <b>together</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Only</b> <b>mustard</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>a</b> <b>bird</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>remarked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Right</b>, <b>as</b> <b>usual</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>: “<b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>clear</b> <b>way</b> <b>you</b> <b>have</b> <b>of</b> <b>putting</b> <b>things</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>mineral</b>, <b>I</b> <b>THINK</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>, <b>who</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>agree</b> <b>to</b> <b>everything</b> <b>that</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b>; “<b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>mustard</b>-<b>mine</b> <b>near</b> <b>here</b>. <b>And</b> <b>the</b> <b>moral</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>The</b> <b>more</b> <b>there</b> <b>is</b> <b>of</b> <b>mine</b>, <b>the</b> <b>less</b> <b>there</b> <b>is</b> <b>of</b> <b>yours</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>know</b>!” <b>exclaimed</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>attended</b> <b>to</b> <b>this</b> <b>last</b> <b>remark</b>, “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>vegetable</b>. <b>It</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>look</b> <b>like</b> <b>one</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>quite</b> <b>agree</b> <b>with</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>moral</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>Be</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>would</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b>"—<b>or</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b> <b>put</b> <b>more</b> <b>simply</b>—"<b>Never</b> <b>imagine</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>otherwise</b> <b>than</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>appear</b> <b>to</b> <b>others</b> <b>that</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>or</b> <b>might</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>otherwise</b> <b>than</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>appeared</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>otherwise</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>understand</b> <b>that</b> <b>better</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>it</b> <b>written</b> <b>down</b>: <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>quite</b> <b>follow</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>say</b> <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>to</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>say</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>chose</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>replied</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>tone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Pray</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>trouble</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>it</b> <b>any</b> <b>longer</b> <b>than</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>trouble</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>make</b> <b>you</b> <b>a</b> <b>present</b> <b>of</b> <b>everything</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>said</b> <b>as</b> <b>yet</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>cheap</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>present</b>!” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>glad</b> <b>they</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>give</b> <b>birthday</b> <b>presents</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!” <b>But</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>venture</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>loud</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Thinking</b> <b>again</b>?” <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>asked</b>, <b>with</b> <b>another</b> <b>dig</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>little</b> <b>chin</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>a</b> <b>right</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b>” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>sharply</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>feel</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>worried</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Just</b> <b>about</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>right</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>, “<b>as</b> <b>pigs</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>fly</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>m</b>—”<br>
|
||||
<b>But</b> <b>here</b>, <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>'<b>s</b> <b>great</b> <b>surprise</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>'<b>s</b> <b>voice</b> <b>died</b> <b>away</b>, <b>even</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>favourite</b> <b>word</b> “<b>moral</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>arm</b> <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>linked</b> <b>into</b> <b>hers</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>tremble</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>stood</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>in</b> <b>front</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>, <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>arms</b> <b>folded</b>, <b>frowning</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>thunderstorm</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>fine</b> <b>day</b>, <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>began</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b>, <b>weak</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Now</b>, <b>I</b> <b>give</b> <b>you</b> <b>fair</b> <b>warning</b>,” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>stamping</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>; “<b>either</b> <b>you</b> <b>or</b> <b>your</b> <b>head</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>in</b> <b>about</b> <b>half</b> <b>no</b> <b>time</b>! <b>Take</b> <b>your</b> <b>choice</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Duchess</b> <b>took</b> <b>her</b> <b>choice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>gone</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>; <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>a</b> <b>word</b>, <b>but</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>followed</b> <b>her</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>croquet</b>-<b>ground</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>other</b> <b>guests</b> <b>had</b> <b>taken</b> <b>advantage</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>absence</b>, <b>and</b> <b>were</b> <b>resting</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>shade</b>: <b>however</b>, <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>they</b> <b>saw</b> <b>her</b>, <b>they</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>merely</b> <b>remarking</b> <b>that</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b>'<b>s</b> <b>delay</b> <b>would</b> <b>cost</b> <b>them</b> <b>their</b> <b>lives</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>All</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>playing</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>never</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>quarrelling</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>players</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shouting</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>or</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>Those</b> <b>whom</b> <b>she</b> <b>sentenced</b> <b>were</b> <b>taken</b> <b>into</b> <b>custody</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>soldiers</b>, <b>who</b> <b>of</b> <b>course</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>leave</b> <b>off</b> <b>being</b> <b>arches</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>this</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>half</b> <b>an</b> <b>hour</b> <b>or</b> <b>so</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>no</b> <b>arches</b> <b>left</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>players</b>, <b>except</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>were</b> <b>in</b> <b>custody</b> <b>and</b> <b>under</b> <b>sentence</b> <b>of</b> <b>execution</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Then</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b>, <b>quite</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>breath</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>Have</b> <b>you</b> <b>seen</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>yet</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>even</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>is</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>thing</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>Soup</b> <b>is</b> <b>made</b> <b>from</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>saw</b> <b>one</b>, <b>or</b> <b>heard</b> <b>of</b> <b>one</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b> <b>on</b>, <b>then</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>shall</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>his</b> <b>history</b>,”<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>they</b> <b>walked</b> <b>off</b> <b>together</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>say</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>company</b> <b>generally</b>, “<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>all</b> <b>pardoned</b>.” “<b>Come</b>, <b>THAT</b>'<b>S</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>thing</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>felt</b> <b>quite</b> <b>unhappy</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>number</b> <b>of</b> <b>executions</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>had</b> <b>ordered</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>They</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>lying</b> <b>fast</b> <b>asleep</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sun</b>. (<b>IF</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>is</b>, <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>picture</b>.) “<b>Up</b>, <b>lazy</b> <b>thing</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>take</b> <b>this</b> <b>young</b> <b>lady</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>, <b>and</b> <b>to</b> <b>hear</b> <b>his</b> <b>history</b>. <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>go</b> <b>back</b> <b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>after</b> <b>some</b> <b>executions</b> <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>ordered</b>'; <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>off</b>, <b>leaving</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>alone</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>quite</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>creature</b>, <b>but</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>quite</b> <b>as</b> <b>safe</b> <b>to</b> <b>stay</b> <b>with</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>after</b> <b>that</b> <b>savage</b> <b>Queen</b>: <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>waited</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>sat</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>rubbed</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b>: <b>then</b> <b>it</b> <b>watched</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>: <b>then</b> <b>it</b> <b>chuckled</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>fun</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>half</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b>, <b>half</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>IS</b> <b>the</b> <b>fun</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>, <b>SHE</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>fancy</b>, <b>that</b>: <b>they</b> <b>never</b> <b>executes</b> <b>nobody</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Come</b> <b>on</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Everybody</b> <b>says</b> «<b>come</b> <b>on</b>!» <b>here</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>: “<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>ordered</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>my</b> <b>life</b>, <b>never</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>They</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>gone</b> <b>far</b> <b>before</b> <b>they</b> <b>saw</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>, <b>sitting</b> <b>sad</b> <b>and</b> <b>lonely</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>ledge</b> <b>of</b> <b>rock</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>came</b> <b>nearer</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>hear</b> <b>him</b> <b>sighing</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>his</b> <b>heart</b> <b>would</b> <b>break</b>. <b>She</b> <b>pitied</b> <b>him</b> <b>deeply</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>is</b> <b>his</b> <b>sorrow</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>asked</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>answered</b>, <b>very</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>words</b> <b>as</b> <b>before</b>, “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>his</b> <b>fancy</b>, <b>that</b>: <b>he</b> <b>hasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>got</b> <b>no</b> <b>sorrow</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Come</b> <b>on</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>went</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>, <b>who</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>them</b> <b>with</b> <b>large</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>full</b> <b>of</b> <b>tears</b>, <b>but</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>This</b> <b>here</b> <b>young</b> <b>lady</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, “<b>she</b> <b>wants</b> <b>for</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b> <b>your</b> <b>history</b>, <b>she</b> <b>do</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>tell</b> <b>it</b> <b>her</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>deep</b>, <b>hollow</b> <b>tone</b>: “<b>sit</b> <b>down</b>, <b>both</b> <b>of</b> <b>you</b>, <b>and</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>speak</b> <b>a</b> <b>word</b> <b>till</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>finished</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b>, <b>and</b> <b>nobody</b> <b>spoke</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>minutes</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b> <b>how</b> <b>he</b> <b>can</b> <b>EVEN</b> <b>finish</b>, <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>begin</b>.” <b>But</b> <b>she</b> <b>waited</b> <b>patiently</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Once</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>deep</b> <b>sigh</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>real</b> <b>Turtle</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>These</b> <b>words</b> <b>were</b> <b>followed</b> <b>by</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>long</b> <b>silence</b>, <b>broken</b> <b>only</b> <b>by</b> <b>an</b> <b>occasional</b> <b>exclamation</b> <b>of</b> “<b>Hjckrrh</b>!” <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>constant</b> <b>heavy</b> <b>sobbing</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>. <b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>getting</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>saying</b>, “<b>Thank</b> <b>you</b>, <b>sir</b>, <b>for</b> <b>your</b> <b>interesting</b> <b>story</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>help</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>there</b> <b>MUST</b> <b>be</b> <b>more</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>sat</b> <b>still</b> <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>When</b> <b>we</b> <b>were</b> <b>little</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>more</b> <b>calmly</b>, <b>though</b> <b>still</b> <b>sobbing</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b>, “<b>we</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>school</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>. <b>The</b> <b>master</b> <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> <b>Turtle</b>—<b>we</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>call</b> <b>him</b> <b>Tortoise</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>call</b> <b>him</b> <b>Tortoise</b>, <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>one</b>?” <b>Alice</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>We</b> <b>called</b> <b>him</b> <b>Tortoise</b> <b>because</b> <b>he</b> <b>taught</b> <b>us</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>angrily</b>: “<b>really</b> <b>you</b> <b>are</b> <b>very</b> <b>dull</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>ashamed</b> <b>of</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>for</b> <b>asking</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>simple</b> <b>question</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>; <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>they</b> <b>both</b> <b>sat</b> <b>silent</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>poor</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>who</b> <b>felt</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>sink</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>earth</b>. <b>At</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>, “<b>Drive</b> <b>on</b>, <b>old</b> <b>fellow</b>! <b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>all</b> <b>day</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>these</b> <b>words</b>:<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>we</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>school</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>, <b>though</b> <b>you</b> <b>mayn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>it</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>said</b> <b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b>!” <b>interrupted</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>did</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hold</b> <b>your</b> <b>tongue</b>!” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>before</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>speak</b> <b>again</b>. <b>The</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>We</b> <b>had</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>of</b> <b>educations</b>—<b>in</b> <b>fact</b>, <b>we</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>school</b> <b>every</b> <b>day</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>VE</b> <b>been</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>day</b>-<b>school</b>, <b>too</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>you</b> <b>needn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>so</b> <b>proud</b> <b>as</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>With</b> <b>extras</b>?” <b>asked</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>anxiously</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>we</b> <b>learned</b> <b>French</b> <b>and</b> <b>music</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>washing</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Certainly</b> <b>not</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>indignantly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ah</b>! <b>then</b> <b>yours</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>a</b> <b>really</b> <b>good</b> <b>school</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>relief</b>. “<b>Now</b> <b>at</b> <b>OURS</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>bill</b>, «<b>French</b>, <b>music</b>, <b>AND</b> <b>WASHING</b>—<b>extra</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>wanted</b> <b>it</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>living</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottom</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>afford</b> <b>to</b> <b>learn</b> <b>it</b>.” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>sigh</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>regular</b> <b>course</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>was</b> <b>that</b>?” <b>inquired</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Reeling</b> <b>and</b> <b>Writhing</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>, <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>with</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>replied</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>the</b> <b>different</b> <b>branches</b> <b>of</b> <b>Arithmetic</b>— <b>Ambition</b>, <b>Distraction</b>, <b>Uglification</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Derision</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>heard</b> <b>of</b> «<b>Uglification</b>,» <b>Alice</b> <b>ventured</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>lifted</b> <b>up</b> <b>both</b> <b>its</b> <b>paws</b> <b>in</b> <b>surprise</b>. “<b>What</b>! <b>Never</b> <b>heard</b> <b>of</b> <b>uglifying</b>!” <b>it</b> <b>exclaimed</b>. “<b>You</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> <b>beautify</b> <b>is</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>doubtfully</b>: “<b>it</b> <b>means</b>—<b>to</b>—<b>make</b>—<b>anything</b>— <b>prettier</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>then</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> <b>uglify</b> <b>is</b>, <b>you</b> <b>ARE</b> <b>a</b> <b>simpleton</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>feel</b> <b>encouraged</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b> <b>questions</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>turned</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> “<b>What</b> <b>else</b> <b>had</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>learn</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>Mystery</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>replied</b>, <b>counting</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>subjects</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> <b>flappers</b>, “—<b>Mystery</b>, <b>ancient</b> <b>and</b> <b>modern</b>, <b>with</b> <b>Seaography</b>: <b>then</b> <b>Drawling</b>—<b>the</b> <b>Drawling</b>-<b>master</b> <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> <b>conger</b>-<b>eel</b>, <b>that</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>once</b> <b>a</b> <b>week</b>: <b>HE</b> <b>taught</b> <b>us</b> <b>Drawling</b>, <b>Stretching</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Fainting</b> <b>in</b> <b>Coils</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>was</b> <b>THAT</b> <b>like</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>show</b> <b>it</b> <b>you</b> <b>myself</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>said</b>: “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>too</b> <b>stiff</b>. <b>And</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>never</b> <b>learnt</b> <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>: “<b>I</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Classics</b> <b>master</b>, <b>though</b>. <b>He</b> <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> <b>crab</b>, <b>HE</b> <b>was</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>him</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>said</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>sigh</b>: “<b>he</b> <b>taught</b> <b>Laughing</b> <b>and</b> <b>Grief</b>, <b>they</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>So</b> <b>he</b> <b>did</b>, <b>so</b> <b>he</b> <b>did</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>sighing</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>turn</b>; <b>and</b> <b>both</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>hid</b> <b>their</b> <b>faces</b> <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>paws</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>how</b> <b>many</b> <b>hours</b> <b>a</b> <b>day</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>do</b> <b>lessons</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurry</b> <b>to</b> <b>change</b> <b>the</b> <b>subject</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ten</b> <b>hours</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>day</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>: “<b>nine</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b>, <b>and</b> <b>so</b> <b>on</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>plan</b>!” <b>exclaimed</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>called</b> <b>lessons</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>remarked</b>: “<b>because</b> <b>they</b> <b>lessen</b> <b>from</b> <b>day</b> <b>to</b> <b>day</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>new</b> <b>idea</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>over</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>next</b> <b>remark</b>. “<b>Then</b> <b>the</b> <b>eleventh</b> <b>day</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>a</b> <b>holiday</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>how</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>manage</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>twelfth</b>?” <b>Alice</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>eagerly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>enough</b> <b>about</b> <b>lessons</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>interrupted</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>decided</b> <b>tone</b>: “<b>tell</b> <b>her</b> <b>something</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>games</b> <b>now</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>X</b><br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> <b>LOBSTER</b> <b>QUADRILLE</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>sighed</b> <b>deeply</b>, <b>and</b> <b>drew</b> <b>the</b> <b>back</b> <b>of</b> <b>one</b> <b>flapper</b> <b>across</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b>. <b>He</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b>, <b>but</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>sobs</b> <b>choked</b> <b>his</b> <b>voice</b>. “<b>Same</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>bone</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>throat</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>: <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>shaking</b> <b>him</b> <b>and</b> <b>punching</b> <b>him</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>back</b>. <b>At</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>recovered</b> <b>his</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>with</b> <b>tears</b> <b>running</b> <b>down</b> <b>his</b> <b>cheeks</b>, <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>again</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>may</b> <b>not</b> <b>have</b> <b>lived</b> <b>much</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>—” (<b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>)—`<b>and</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>never</b> <b>even</b> <b>introduced</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>lobster</b>- -” (<b>Alice</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> “<b>I</b> <b>once</b> <b>tasted</b>—” <b>but</b> <b>checked</b> <b>herself</b> <b>hastily</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> “<b>No</b>, <b>never</b>') “—<b>so</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>idea</b> <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>delightful</b> <b>thing</b> <b>a</b> <b>Lobster</b> <b>Quadrille</b> <b>is</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>indeed</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>dance</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, “<b>you</b> <b>first</b> <b>form</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>line</b> <b>along</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>-<b>shore</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Two</b> <b>lines</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>. “<b>Seals</b>, <b>turtles</b>, <b>salmon</b>, <b>and</b> <b>so</b> <b>on</b>; <b>then</b>, <b>when</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>cleared</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>jelly</b>-<b>fish</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>THAT</b> <b>generally</b> <b>takes</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>interrupted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>you</b> <b>advance</b> <b>twice</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Each</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>lobster</b> <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>partner</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>said</b>: “<b>advance</b> <b>twice</b>, <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>partners</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“—<b>change</b> <b>lobsters</b>, <b>and</b> <b>retire</b> <b>in</b> <b>same</b> <b>order</b>,” <b>continued</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>you</b> <b>throw</b> <b>the</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>lobsters</b>!” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>bound</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>as</b> <b>far</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>sea</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Swim</b> <b>after</b> <b>them</b>!” <b>screamed</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Back</b> <b>to</b> <b>land</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>figure</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>, <b>suddenly</b> <b>dropping</b> <b>his</b> <b>voice</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>two</b> <b>creatures</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>jumping</b> <b>about</b> <b>like</b> <b>mad</b> <b>things</b> <b>all</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>, <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>again</b> <b>very</b> <b>sadly</b> <b>and</b> <b>quietly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>pretty</b> <b>dance</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>timidly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Would</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Very</b> <b>much</b> <b>indeed</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>figure</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>. “<b>We</b> <b>can</b> <b>do</b> <b>without</b> <b>lobsters</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Which</b> <b>shall</b> <b>sing</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>YOU</b> <b>sing</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>began</b> <b>solemnly</b> <b>dancing</b> <b>round</b> <b>and</b> <b>round</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>every</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>treading</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>toes</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>passed</b> <b>too</b> <b>close</b>, <b>and</b> <b>waving</b> <b>their</b> <b>forepaws</b> <b>to</b> <b>mark</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b>, <b>while</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>sang</b> <b>this</b>, <b>very</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>and</b> <b>sadly</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“"<b>Will</b> <b>you</b> <b>walk</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>faster</b>?» <b>said</b> <b>a</b> <b>whiting</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>snail</b>. «<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>porpoise</b> <b>close</b> <b>behind</b> <b>us</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b>'<b>s</b> <b>treading</b> <b>on</b> <b>my</b> <b>tail</b>. <b>See</b> <b>how</b> <b>eagerly</b> <b>the</b> <b>lobsters</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>turtles</b> <b>all</b> <b>advance</b>! <b>They</b> <b>are</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>shingle</b>—<b>will</b> <b>you</b> <b>come</b> <b>and</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>? <b>Will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>?<br>
|
||||
«<b>You</b> <b>can</b> <b>really</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>notion</b> <b>how</b> <b>delightful</b> <b>it</b> <b>will</b> <b>be</b> <b>When</b> <b>they</b> <b>take</b> <b>us</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>throw</b> <b>us</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>lobsters</b>, <b>out</b> <b>to</b><br>
|
||||
<b>sea</b>!» <b>But</b> <b>the</b> <b>snail</b> <b>replied</b> «<b>Too</b> <b>far</b>, <b>too</b> <b>far</b>!» <b>and</b> <b>gave</b> <b>a</b> <b>look</b><br>
|
||||
<b>askance</b>— <b>Said</b> <b>he</b> <b>thanked</b> <b>the</b> <b>whiting</b> <b>kindly</b>, <b>but</b> <b>he</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>. <b>Would</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b>, <b>would</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b>, <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>join</b><br>
|
||||
<b>the</b> <b>dance</b>. <b>Would</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b>, <b>would</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>join</b><br>
|
||||
<b>the</b> <b>dance</b>.<br>
|
||||
“"<b>What</b> <b>matters</b> <b>it</b> <b>how</b> <b>far</b> <b>we</b> <b>go</b>?» <b>his</b> <b>scaly</b> <b>friend</b> <b>replied</b>. «<b>There</b> <b>is</b> <b>another</b> <b>shore</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>upon</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b>. <b>The</b> <b>further</b> <b>off</b> <b>from</b> <b>England</b> <b>the</b> <b>nearer</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>France</b>— <b>Then</b> <b>turn</b> <b>not</b> <b>pale</b>, <b>beloved</b> <b>snail</b>, <b>but</b> <b>come</b> <b>and</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b><br>
|
||||
<b>dance</b>? <b>Will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b><br>
|
||||
<b>dance</b>?"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Thank</b> <b>you</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>interesting</b> <b>dance</b> <b>to</b> <b>watch</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>feeling</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>: “<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>so</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b> <b>curious</b> <b>song</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>whiting</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>whiting</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>, “<b>they</b>—<b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>them</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>often</b> <b>seen</b> <b>them</b> <b>at</b> <b>dinn</b>—” <b>she</b> <b>checked</b> <b>herself</b> <b>hastily</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>where</b> <b>Dinn</b> <b>may</b> <b>be</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>, “<b>but</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>them</b> <b>so</b> <b>often</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>like</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>believe</b> <b>so</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b> <b>thoughtfully</b>. “<b>They</b> <b>have</b> <b>their</b> <b>tails</b> <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>mouths</b>—<b>and</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b> <b>crumbs</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>wrong</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>crumbs</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>: “<b>crumbs</b> <b>would</b> <b>all</b> <b>wash</b> <b>off</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>. <b>But</b> <b>they</b> <b>HAVE</b> <b>their</b> <b>tails</b> <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>mouths</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>is</b>—” <b>here</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>yawned</b> <b>and</b> <b>shut</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b>.—`<b>Tell</b> <b>her</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>reason</b> <b>is</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, “<b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>WOULD</b> <b>go</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>lobsters</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>. <b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>got</b> <b>thrown</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>sea</b>. <b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>fall</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>way</b>. <b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>got</b> <b>their</b> <b>tails</b> <b>fast</b> <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>mouths</b>. <b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>get</b> <b>them</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>. <b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Thank</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>interesting</b>. <b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>knew</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>about</b> <b>a</b> <b>whiting</b> <b>before</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> <b>that</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>. “<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>why</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>called</b> <b>a</b> <b>whiting</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>thought</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>Why</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>IT</b> <b>DOES</b> <b>THE</b> <b>BOOTS</b> <b>AND</b> <b>SHOES</b>.” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>replied</b> <b>very</b> <b>solemnly</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>thoroughly</b> <b>puzzled</b>. “<b>Does</b> <b>the</b> <b>boots</b> <b>and</b> <b>shoes</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>wondering</b> <b>tone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>, <b>what</b> <b>are</b> <b>YOUR</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>done</b> <b>with</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>mean</b>, <b>what</b> <b>makes</b> <b>them</b> <b>so</b> <b>shiny</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>considered</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>gave</b> <b>her</b> <b>answer</b>. “<b>They</b>'<b>re</b> <b>done</b> <b>with</b> <b>blacking</b>, <b>I</b> <b>believe</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Boots</b> <b>and</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>deep</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>are</b> <b>done</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>whiting</b>. <b>Now</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>what</b> <b>are</b> <b>they</b> <b>made</b> <b>of</b>?” <b>Alice</b> <b>asked</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>curiosity</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Soles</b> <b>and</b> <b>eels</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>replied</b> <b>rather</b> <b>impatiently</b>: “<b>any</b> <b>shrimp</b> <b>could</b> <b>have</b> <b>told</b> <b>you</b> <b>that</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>been</b> <b>the</b> <b>whiting</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>whose</b> <b>thoughts</b> <b>were</b> <b>still</b> <b>running</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>song</b>, “<b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>have</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>porpoise</b>, «<b>Keep</b> <b>back</b>, <b>please</b>: <b>we</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>want</b> <b>YOU</b> <b>with</b> <b>us</b>!"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>were</b> <b>obliged</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>him</b> <b>with</b> <b>them</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>said</b>: “<b>no</b> <b>wise</b> <b>fish</b> <b>would</b> <b>go</b> <b>anywhere</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>porpoise</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>it</b> <b>really</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>surprise</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>: “<b>why</b>, <b>if</b> <b>a</b> <b>fish</b> <b>came</b> <b>to</b> <b>ME</b>, <b>and</b> <b>told</b> <b>me</b> <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>a</b> <b>journey</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>say</b> «<b>With</b> <b>what</b> <b>porpoise</b>?"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b> «<b>purpose</b>»?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>mean</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>say</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>replied</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>offended</b> <b>tone</b>. <b>And</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>added</b> “<b>Come</b>, <b>let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hear</b> <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>YOUR</b> <b>adventures</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>my</b> <b>adventures</b>—<b>beginning</b> <b>from</b> <b>this</b> <b>morning</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>timidly</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>going</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>yesterday</b>, <b>because</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>different</b> <b>person</b> <b>then</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Explain</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>no</b>! <b>The</b> <b>adventures</b> <b>first</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>impatient</b> <b>tone</b>: “<b>explanations</b> <b>take</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>dreadful</b> <b>time</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>began</b> <b>telling</b> <b>them</b> <b>her</b> <b>adventures</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>first</b> <b>saw</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>. <b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>nervous</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b> <b>just</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b>, <b>the</b> <b>two</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>got</b> <b>so</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, <b>one</b> <b>on</b> <b>each</b> <b>side</b>, <b>and</b> <b>opened</b> <b>their</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>and</b> <b>mouths</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>wide</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>gained</b> <b>courage</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>. <b>Her</b> <b>listeners</b> <b>were</b> <b>perfectly</b> <b>quiet</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>part</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>repeating</b> “<b>YOU</b> <b>ARE</b> <b>OLD</b>, <b>FATHER</b> <b>WILLIAM</b>,” <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Caterpillar</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>all</b> <b>coming</b> <b>different</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>drew</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>breath</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>about</b> <b>as</b> <b>curious</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>can</b> <b>be</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>all</b> <b>came</b> <b>different</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>thoughtfully</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>hear</b> <b>her</b> <b>try</b> <b>and</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>something</b> <b>now</b>. <b>Tell</b> <b>her</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b>.” <b>He</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>some</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>authority</b> <b>over</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Stand</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>repeat</b> «'<b>TIS</b> <b>THE</b> <b>VOICE</b> <b>OF</b> <b>THE</b> <b>SLUGGARD</b>,"“ <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>the</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>order</b> <b>one</b> <b>about</b>, <b>and</b> <b>make</b> <b>one</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>lessons</b>!” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>might</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>be</b> <b>at</b> <b>school</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>.” <b>However</b>, <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>it</b>, <b>but</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>full</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lobster</b> <b>Quadrille</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>knew</b> <b>what</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>saying</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>came</b> <b>very</b> <b>queer</b> <b>indeed</b>:—<br>
|
||||
«'<b>Tis</b> <b>the</b> <b>voice</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lobster</b>; <b>I</b> <b>heard</b> <b>him</b> <b>declare</b>, «<b>You</b> <b>have</b> <b>baked</b> <b>me</b> <b>too</b> <b>brown</b>, <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>sugar</b> <b>my</b> <b>hair</b>.» <b>As</b> <b>a</b> <b>duck</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyelids</b>, <b>so</b> <b>he</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>nose</b> <b>Trims</b> <b>his</b> <b>belt</b> <b>and</b> <b>his</b> <b>buttons</b>, <b>and</b> <b>turns</b> <b>out</b> <b>his</b> <b>toes</b>.”<br>
|
||||
[<b>later</b> <b>editions</b> <b>continued</b> <b>as</b> <b>follows</b> <b>When</b> <b>the</b> <b>sands</b> <b>are</b> <b>all</b> <b>dry</b>, <b>he</b> <b>is</b> <b>gay</b> <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>lark</b>, <b>And</b> <b>will</b> <b>talk</b> <b>in</b> <b>contemptuous</b> <b>tones</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Shark</b>, <b>But</b>, <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>tide</b> <b>rises</b> <b>and</b> <b>sharks</b> <b>are</b> <b>around</b>, <b>His</b> <b>voice</b> <b>has</b> <b>a</b> <b>timid</b> <b>and</b> <b>tremulous</b> <b>sound</b>.]<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>different</b> <b>from</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>child</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>heard</b> <b>it</b> <b>before</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>sounds</b> <b>uncommon</b> <b>nonsense</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>; <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>wondering</b> <b>if</b> <b>anything</b> <b>would</b> <b>EVER</b> <b>happen</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>natural</b> <b>way</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>it</b> <b>explained</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>She</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>explain</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>hastily</b>. “<b>Go</b> <b>on</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>verse</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>about</b> <b>his</b> <b>toes</b>?” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>persisted</b>. “<b>How</b> <b>COULD</b> <b>he</b> <b>turn</b> <b>them</b> <b>out</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>nose</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>position</b> <b>in</b> <b>dancing</b>.” <b>Alice</b> <b>said</b>; <b>but</b> <b>was</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>thing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>longed</b> <b>to</b> <b>change</b> <b>the</b> <b>subject</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Go</b> <b>on</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>verse</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>impatiently</b>: “<b>it</b> <b>begins</b> «<b>I</b> <b>passed</b> <b>by</b> <b>his</b> <b>garden</b>."“<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>dare</b> <b>to</b> <b>disobey</b>, <b>though</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>sure</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>all</b> <b>come</b> <b>wrong</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>passed</b> <b>by</b> <b>his</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>and</b> <b>marked</b>, <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>eye</b>, <b>How</b> <b>the</b> <b>Owl</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Panther</b> <b>were</b> <b>sharing</b> <b>a</b> <b>pie</b>—”<br>
|
||||
[<b>later</b> <b>editions</b> <b>continued</b> <b>as</b> <b>follows</b> <b>The</b> <b>Panther</b> <b>took</b> <b>pie</b>-<b>crust</b>, <b>and</b> <b>gravy</b>, <b>and</b> <b>meat</b>, <b>While</b> <b>the</b> <b>Owl</b> <b>had</b> <b>the</b> <b>dish</b> <b>as</b> <b>its</b> <b>share</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>treat</b>. <b>When</b> <b>the</b> <b>pie</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>finished</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Owl</b>, <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>boon</b>, <b>Was</b> <b>kindly</b> <b>permitted</b> <b>to</b> <b>pocket</b> <b>the</b> <b>spoon</b>: <b>While</b> <b>the</b> <b>Panther</b> <b>received</b> <b>knife</b> <b>and</b> <b>fork</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>growl</b>, <b>And</b> <b>concluded</b> <b>the</b> <b>banquet</b>—]<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>IS</b> <b>the</b> <b>use</b> <b>of</b> <b>repeating</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b> <b>stuff</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>interrupted</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>explain</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b>? <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>by</b> <b>far</b> <b>the</b> <b>most</b> <b>confusing</b> <b>thing</b> <b>I</b> <b>ever</b> <b>heard</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>leave</b> <b>off</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>: <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>was</b> <b>only</b> <b>too</b> <b>glad</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>so</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Shall</b> <b>we</b> <b>try</b> <b>another</b> <b>figure</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lobster</b> <b>Quadrille</b>?” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>. “<b>Or</b> <b>would</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>to</b> <b>sing</b> <b>you</b> <b>a</b> <b>song</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>a</b> <b>song</b>, <b>please</b>, <b>if</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>so</b> <b>kind</b>,” <b>Alice</b> <b>replied</b>, <b>so</b> <b>eagerly</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>said</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>rather</b> <b>offended</b> <b>toe</b>, “<b>Hm</b>! <b>No</b> <b>accounting</b> <b>for</b> <b>tastes</b>! <b>Sing</b> <b>her</b> «<b>Turtle</b> <b>Soup</b>,» <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>old</b> <b>fellow</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>sighed</b> <b>deeply</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>voice</b> <b>sometimes</b> <b>choked</b> <b>with</b> <b>sobs</b>, <b>to</b> <b>sing</b> <b>this</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Beautiful</b> <b>Soup</b>, <b>so</b> <b>rich</b> <b>and</b> <b>green</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Waiting</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hot</b> <b>tureen</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>Who</b> <b>for</b> <b>such</b> <b>dainties</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>stoop</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Soup</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>evening</b>, <b>beautiful</b> <b>Soup</b>!<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Soup</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>evening</b>, <b>beautiful</b> <b>Soup</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>Beau</b>—<b>ootiful</b> <b>Soo</b>—<b>oop</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>Beau</b>—<b>ootiful</b> <b>Soo</b>—<b>oop</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>Soo</b>—<b>oop</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>e</b>—<b>e</b>—<b>evening</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Beautiful</b>, <b>beautiful</b> <b>Soup</b>!<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Beautiful</b> <b>Soup</b>! <b>Who</b> <b>cares</b> <b>for</b> <b>fish</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Game</b>, <b>or</b> <b>any</b> <b>other</b> <b>dish</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Who</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>give</b> <b>all</b> <b>else</b> <b>for</b> <b>two</b> <b>penny</b><br>
|
||||
<b>worth</b> <b>only</b> <b>of</b> <b>beautiful</b> <b>Soup</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Pennyworth</b> <b>only</b> <b>of</b> <b>beautiful</b> <b>Soup</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Beau</b>—<b>ootiful</b> <b>Soo</b>—<b>oop</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>Beau</b>—<b>ootiful</b> <b>Soo</b>—<b>oop</b>! <b>Soo</b>—<b>oop</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>e</b>—<b>e</b>—<b>evening</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Beautiful</b>, <b>beauti</b>—<b>FUL</b> <b>SOUP</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Chorus</b> <b>again</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b> <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>begun</b> <b>to</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>it</b>, <b>when</b> <b>a</b> <b>cry</b> <b>of</b> “<b>The</b> <b>trial</b>'<b>s</b> <b>beginning</b>!” <b>was</b> <b>heard</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b> <b>on</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>taking</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>it</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>off</b>, <b>without</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>song</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>trial</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>Alice</b> <b>panted</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b>; <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>only</b> <b>answered</b> “<b>Come</b> <b>on</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>ran</b> <b>the</b> <b>faster</b>, <b>while</b> <b>more</b> <b>and</b> <b>more</b> <b>faintly</b> <b>came</b>, <b>carried</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>breeze</b> <b>that</b> <b>followed</b> <b>them</b>, <b>the</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>words</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Soo</b>—<b>oop</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>e</b>—<b>e</b>—<b>evening</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Beautiful</b>, <b>beautiful</b> <b>Soup</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>XI</b><br>
|
||||
<b>WHO</b> <b>STOLE</b> <b>THE</b> <b>TARTS</b>?<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b> <b>and</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>of</b> <b>Hearts</b> <b>were</b> <b>seated</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>throne</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>arrived</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>crowd</b> <b>assembled</b> <b>about</b> <b>them</b>—<b>all</b> <b>sorts</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>birds</b> <b>and</b> <b>beasts</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>pack</b> <b>of</b> <b>cards</b>: <b>the</b> <b>Knave</b> <b>was</b> <b>standing</b> <b>before</b> <b>them</b>, <b>in</b> <b>chains</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>soldier</b> <b>on</b> <b>each</b> <b>side</b> <b>to</b> <b>guard</b> <b>him</b>; <b>and</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>trumpet</b> <b>in</b> <b>one</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>scroll</b> <b>of</b> <b>parchment</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>. <b>In</b> <b>the</b> <b>very</b> <b>middle</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>table</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>dish</b> <b>of</b> <b>tarts</b> <b>upon</b> <b>it</b>: <b>they</b> <b>looked</b> <b>so</b> <b>good</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>made</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>quite</b> <b>hungry</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>them</b>—`<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>they</b>'<b>d</b> <b>get</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b> <b>done</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>hand</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>refreshments</b>!” <b>But</b> <b>there</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>chance</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>everything</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b>, <b>to</b> <b>pass</b> <b>away</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>been</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>court</b> <b>of</b> <b>justice</b> <b>before</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>read</b> <b>about</b> <b>them</b> <b>in</b> <b>books</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b> <b>of</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>everything</b> <b>there</b>. “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>judge</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>because</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>great</b> <b>wig</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>judge</b>, <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b>, <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>wore</b> <b>his</b> <b>crown</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>wig</b>, (<b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>frontispiece</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>how</b> <b>he</b> <b>did</b> <b>it</b>,) <b>he</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>comfortable</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>not</b> <b>becoming</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>-<b>box</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>those</b> <b>twelve</b> <b>creatures</b>,” (<b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>obliged</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> “<b>creatures</b>,” <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>because</b> <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>were</b> <b>animals</b>, <b>and</b> <b>some</b> <b>were</b> <b>birds</b>,) “<b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>they</b> <b>are</b> <b>the</b> <b>jurors</b>.” <b>She</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b> <b>last</b> <b>word</b> <b>two</b> <b>or</b> <b>three</b> <b>times</b> <b>over</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>being</b> <b>rather</b> <b>proud</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>: <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, <b>and</b> <b>rightly</b> <b>too</b>, <b>that</b> <b>very</b> <b>few</b> <b>little</b> <b>girls</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>age</b> <b>knew</b> <b>the</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>. <b>However</b>, “<b>jury</b>-<b>men</b>” <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>done</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>twelve</b> <b>jurors</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>writing</b> <b>very</b> <b>busily</b> <b>on</b> <b>slates</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>are</b> <b>they</b> <b>doing</b>?” <b>Alice</b> <b>whispered</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>. “<b>They</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>anything</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>down</b> <b>yet</b>, <b>before</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b>'<b>s</b> <b>begun</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b>'<b>re</b> <b>putting</b> <b>down</b> <b>their</b> <b>names</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b> <b>whispered</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>fear</b> <b>they</b> <b>should</b> <b>forget</b> <b>them</b> <b>before</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Stupid</b> <b>things</b>!” <b>Alice</b> <b>began</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>loud</b>, <b>indignant</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>stopped</b> <b>hastily</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>cried</b> <b>out</b>, “<b>Silence</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> <b>spectacles</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>round</b>, <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>talking</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>were</b> <b>looking</b> <b>over</b> <b>their</b> <b>shoulders</b>, <b>that</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>jurors</b> <b>were</b> <b>writing</b> <b>down</b> “<b>stupid</b> <b>things</b>!” <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>slates</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>even</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>spell</b> “<b>stupid</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>his</b> <b>neighbour</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>him</b>. “<b>A</b> <b>nice</b> <b>muddle</b> <b>their</b> <b>slates</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>in</b> <b>before</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b>'<b>s</b> <b>over</b>!” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>One</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>jurors</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>pencil</b> <b>that</b> <b>squeaked</b>. <b>This</b> <b>of</b> <b>course</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>stand</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b> <b>and</b> <b>got</b> <b>behind</b> <b>him</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>found</b> <b>an</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>of</b> <b>taking</b> <b>it</b> <b>away</b>. <b>She</b> <b>did</b> <b>it</b> <b>so</b> <b>quickly</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>juror</b> (<b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>Bill</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Lizard</b>) <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>what</b> <b>had</b> <b>become</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>; <b>so</b>, <b>after</b> <b>hunting</b> <b>all</b> <b>about</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>, <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>obliged</b> <b>to</b> <b>write</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>finger</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>day</b>; <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>of</b> <b>very</b> <b>little</b> <b>use</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>left</b> <b>no</b> <b>mark</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>slate</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Herald</b>, <b>read</b> <b>the</b> <b>accusation</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>On</b> <b>this</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>blew</b> <b>three</b> <b>blasts</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>trumpet</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>unrolled</b> <b>the</b> <b>parchment</b> <b>scroll</b>, <b>and</b> <b>read</b> <b>as</b> <b>follows</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>of</b> <b>Hearts</b>, <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>some</b> <b>tarts</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>All</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>summer</b> <b>day</b>:<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Knave</b> <b>of</b> <b>Hearts</b>, <b>he</b> <b>stole</b> <b>those</b> <b>tarts</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>took</b> <b>them</b> <b>quite</b> <b>away</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Consider</b> <b>your</b> <b>verdict</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>yet</b>, <b>not</b> <b>yet</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>interrupted</b>. “<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>deal</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>before</b> <b>that</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Call</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>witness</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>blew</b> <b>three</b> <b>blasts</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>trumpet</b>, <b>and</b> <b>called</b> <b>out</b>, “<b>First</b> <b>witness</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>first</b> <b>witness</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>. <b>He</b> <b>came</b> <b>in</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>teacup</b> <b>in</b> <b>one</b> <b>hand</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>piece</b> <b>of</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>pardon</b>, <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>began</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>bringing</b> <b>these</b> <b>in</b>: <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>quite</b> <b>finished</b> <b>my</b> <b>tea</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>sent</b> <b>for</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>finished</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>. “<b>When</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>begin</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>followed</b> <b>him</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>, <b>arm</b>-<b>in</b>-<b>arm</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>. “<b>Fourteenth</b> <b>of</b> <b>March</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Fifteenth</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Sixteenth</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Write</b> <b>that</b> <b>down</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b> <b>eagerly</b> <b>wrote</b> <b>down</b> <b>all</b> <b>three</b> <b>dates</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>slates</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>added</b> <b>them</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>reduced</b> <b>the</b> <b>answer</b> <b>to</b> <b>shillings</b> <b>and</b> <b>pence</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Take</b> <b>off</b> <b>your</b> <b>hat</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mine</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Stolen</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>exclaimed</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>, <b>who</b> <b>instantly</b> <b>made</b> <b>a</b> <b>memorandum</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>fact</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>keep</b> <b>them</b> <b>to</b> <b>sell</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>added</b> <b>as</b> <b>an</b> <b>explanation</b>; “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>none</b> <b>of</b> <b>my</b> <b>own</b>. <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>hatter</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>spectacles</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>staring</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, <b>who</b> <b>turned</b> <b>pale</b> <b>and</b> <b>fidgeted</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Give</b> <b>your</b> <b>evidence</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>nervous</b>, <b>or</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>have</b> <b>you</b> <b>executed</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>spot</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>encourage</b> <b>the</b> <b>witness</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>: <b>he</b> <b>kept</b> <b>shifting</b> <b>form</b> <b>one</b> <b>foot</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>uneasily</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>confusion</b> <b>he</b> <b>bit</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>piece</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>teacup</b> <b>instead</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Just</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>felt</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b> <b>sensation</b>, <b>which</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>her</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>until</b> <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>: <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>larger</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>get</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>leave</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>; <b>but</b> <b>on</b> <b>second</b> <b>thoughts</b> <b>she</b> <b>decided</b> <b>to</b> <b>remain</b> <b>where</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>as</b> <b>long</b> <b>as</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>room</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>squeeze</b> <b>so</b>.” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>next</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>breathe</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>help</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>very</b> <b>meekly</b>: “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>growing</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>no</b> <b>right</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>here</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>nonsense</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>more</b> <b>boldly</b>: “<b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>growing</b> <b>too</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>grow</b> <b>at</b> <b>a</b> <b>reasonable</b> <b>pace</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b>: “<b>not</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b> <b>ridiculous</b> <b>fashion</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>he</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>very</b> <b>sulkily</b> <b>and</b> <b>crossed</b> <b>over</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>All</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>staring</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>crossed</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>, <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>officers</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>, “<b>Bring</b> <b>me</b> <b>the</b> <b>list</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>singers</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>concert</b>!” <b>on</b> <b>which</b> <b>the</b> <b>wretched</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>trembled</b> <b>so</b>, <b>that</b> <b>he</b> <b>shook</b> <b>both</b> <b>his</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Give</b> <b>your</b> <b>evidence</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>angrily</b>, “<b>or</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>have</b> <b>you</b> <b>executed</b>, <b>whether</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>nervous</b> <b>or</b> <b>not</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>poor</b> <b>man</b>, <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>began</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b>, “—<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>begun</b> <b>my</b> <b>tea</b>—<b>not</b> <b>above</b> <b>a</b> <b>week</b> <b>or</b> <b>so</b>—<b>and</b> <b>what</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b> <b>getting</b> <b>so</b> <b>thin</b>—<b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>twinkling</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>tea</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>twinkling</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>what</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>began</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>tea</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>replied</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>twinkling</b> <b>begins</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>T</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>sharply</b>. “<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>take</b> <b>me</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>dunce</b>? <b>Go</b> <b>on</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>poor</b> <b>man</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>most</b> <b>things</b> <b>twinkled</b> <b>after</b> <b>that</b>—<b>only</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>said</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>deny</b> <b>it</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>: “<b>leave</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>part</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>said</b>—” <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>round</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>would</b> <b>deny</b> <b>it</b> <b>too</b>: <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>denied</b> <b>nothing</b>, <b>being</b> <b>fast</b> <b>asleep</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>After</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>continued</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>cut</b> <b>some</b> <b>more</b> <b>bread</b>- <b>and</b>-<b>butter</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>what</b> <b>did</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>say</b>?” <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>MUST</b> <b>remember</b>,” <b>remarked</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>or</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>have</b> <b>you</b> <b>executed</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>miserable</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>dropped</b> <b>his</b> <b>teacup</b> <b>and</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b> <b>knee</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>poor</b> <b>man</b>, <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>began</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>poor</b> <b>speaker</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>guinea</b>-<b>pigs</b> <b>cheered</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>immediately</b> <b>suppressed</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>officers</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>. (<b>As</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b> <b>rather</b> <b>a</b> <b>hard</b> <b>word</b>, <b>I</b> <b>will</b> <b>just</b> <b>explain</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b> <b>how</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>done</b>. <b>They</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>canvas</b> <b>bag</b>, <b>which</b> <b>tied</b> <b>up</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>with</b> <b>strings</b>: <b>into</b> <b>this</b> <b>they</b> <b>slipped</b> <b>the</b> <b>guinea</b>-<b>pig</b>, <b>head</b> <b>first</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>sat</b> <b>upon</b> <b>it</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>glad</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>that</b> <b>done</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>so</b> <b>often</b> <b>read</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>newspapers</b>, <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>trials</b>, «<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>some</b> <b>attempts</b> <b>at</b> <b>applause</b>, <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>immediately</b> <b>suppressed</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>officers</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>,» <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>understood</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>meant</b> <b>till</b> <b>now</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>you</b> <b>may</b> <b>stand</b> <b>down</b>,” <b>continued</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>go</b> <b>no</b> <b>lower</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>: “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>floor</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>you</b> <b>may</b> <b>SIT</b> <b>down</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>replied</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>guinea</b>-<b>pig</b> <b>cheered</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>suppressed</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>that</b> <b>finished</b> <b>the</b> <b>guinea</b>-<b>pigs</b>!” <b>thought</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>Now</b> <b>we</b> <b>shall</b> <b>get</b> <b>on</b> <b>better</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>rather</b> <b>finish</b> <b>my</b> <b>tea</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b>, <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>anxious</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>reading</b> <b>the</b> <b>list</b> <b>of</b> <b>singers</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>may</b> <b>go</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>hurriedly</b> <b>left</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>, <b>without</b> <b>even</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>his</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>on</b>.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>and</b> <b>just</b> <b>take</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b> <b>off</b> <b>outside</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>added</b> <b>to</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>officers</b>: <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>Hatter</b> <b>was</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b> <b>before</b> <b>the</b> <b>officer</b> <b>could</b> <b>get</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Call</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>witness</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>next</b> <b>witness</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>'<b>s</b> <b>cook</b>. <b>She</b> <b>carried</b> <b>the</b> <b>pepper</b>-<b>box</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>guessed</b> <b>who</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>, <b>even</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>, <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>the</b> <b>people</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>began</b> <b>sneezing</b> <b>all</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Give</b> <b>your</b> <b>evidence</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Shan</b>'<b>t</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b> <b>looked</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>, <b>who</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>Your</b> <b>Majesty</b> <b>must</b> <b>cross</b>-<b>examine</b> <b>THIS</b> <b>witness</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>must</b>, <b>I</b> <b>must</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>air</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>after</b> <b>folding</b> <b>his</b> <b>arms</b> <b>and</b> <b>frowning</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>till</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>were</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>, <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>deep</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>What</b> <b>are</b> <b>tarts</b> <b>made</b> <b>of</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Pepper</b>, <b>mostly</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Treacle</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>a</b> <b>sleepy</b> <b>voice</b> <b>behind</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Collar</b> <b>that</b> <b>Dormouse</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>shrieked</b> <b>out</b>. “<b>Behead</b> <b>that</b> <b>Dormouse</b>! <b>Turn</b> <b>that</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>court</b>! <b>Suppress</b> <b>him</b>! <b>Pinch</b> <b>him</b>! <b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>whiskers</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>some</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>court</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>confusion</b>, <b>getting</b> <b>the</b> <b>Dormouse</b> <b>turned</b> <b>out</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>settled</b> <b>down</b> <b>again</b>, <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>had</b> <b>disappeared</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Never</b> <b>mind</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>air</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>relief</b>. “<b>Call</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>witness</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>he</b> <b>added</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>undertone</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, “<b>Really</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>, <b>YOU</b> <b>must</b> <b>cross</b>-<b>examine</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>witness</b>. <b>It</b> <b>quite</b> <b>makes</b> <b>my</b> <b>forehead</b> <b>ache</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>watched</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>fumbled</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>list</b>, <b>feeling</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>witness</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>like</b>, “—<b>for</b> <b>they</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>got</b> <b>much</b> <b>evidence</b> <b>YET</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>. <b>Imagine</b> <b>her</b> <b>surprise</b>, <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>read</b> <b>out</b>, <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>shrill</b> <b>little</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>the</b> <b>name</b> “<b>Alice</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>XII</b><br>
|
||||
<b>ALICE</b>'<b>S</b> <b>EVIDENCE</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Here</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>quite</b> <b>forgetting</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>flurry</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>how</b> <b>large</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>grown</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurry</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>tipped</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>-<b>box</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>edge</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>skirt</b>, <b>upsetting</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>jurymen</b> <b>on</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>heads</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>crowd</b> <b>below</b>, <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>they</b> <b>lay</b> <b>sprawling</b> <b>about</b>, <b>reminding</b> <b>her</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>globe</b> <b>of</b> <b>goldfish</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>accidentally</b> <b>upset</b> <b>the</b> <b>week</b> <b>before</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>BEG</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>exclaimed</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>dismay</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>picking</b> <b>them</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b> <b>as</b> <b>quickly</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>accident</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>goldfish</b> <b>kept</b> <b>running</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>vague</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>idea</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>collected</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>and</b> <b>put</b> <b>back</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>-<b>box</b>, <b>or</b> <b>they</b> <b>would</b> <b>die</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>trial</b> <b>cannot</b> <b>proceed</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>grave</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>until</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>jurymen</b> <b>are</b> <b>back</b> <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>proper</b> <b>places</b>— <b>ALL</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>with</b> <b>great</b> <b>emphasis</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>hard</b> <b>at</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>do</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Alice</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>-<b>box</b>, <b>and</b> <b>saw</b> <b>that</b>, <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>haste</b>, <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>put</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lizard</b> <b>in</b> <b>head</b> <b>downwards</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>was</b> <b>waving</b> <b>its</b> <b>tail</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>way</b>, <b>being</b> <b>quite</b> <b>unable</b> <b>to</b> <b>move</b>. <b>She</b> <b>soon</b> <b>got</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>right</b>; “<b>not</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>signifies</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>QUITE</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b> <b>one</b> <b>way</b> <b>up</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>recovered</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>shock</b> <b>of</b> <b>being</b> <b>upset</b>, <b>and</b> <b>their</b> <b>slates</b> <b>and</b> <b>pencils</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>found</b> <b>and</b> <b>handed</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>, <b>they</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>very</b> <b>diligently</b> <b>to</b> <b>write</b> <b>out</b> <b>a</b> <b>history</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>accident</b>, <b>all</b> <b>except</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lizard</b>, <b>who</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b> <b>overcome</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>anything</b> <b>but</b> <b>sit</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>open</b>, <b>gazing</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>about</b> <b>this</b> <b>business</b>?” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nothing</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nothing</b> <b>WHATEVER</b>?” <b>persisted</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nothing</b> <b>whatever</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>important</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>. <b>They</b> <b>were</b> <b>just</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>write</b> <b>this</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>slates</b>, <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>interrupted</b>: “<b>UNimportant</b>, <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b> <b>means</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>respectful</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>but</b> <b>frowning</b> <b>and</b> <b>making</b> <b>faces</b> <b>at</b> <b>him</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>UNimportant</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>, <b>I</b> <b>meant</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>said</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>to</b> <b>himself</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>undertone</b>, “<b>important</b>—<b>unimportant</b>— <b>unimportant</b>—<b>important</b>—” <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>were</b> <b>trying</b> <b>which</b> <b>word</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>best</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b> <b>wrote</b> <b>it</b> <b>down</b> “<b>important</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>some</b> “<b>unimportant</b>.” <b>Alice</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b> <b>this</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>near</b> <b>enough</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>over</b> <b>their</b> <b>slates</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>matter</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>At</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>busily</b> <b>writing</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>note</b>-<b>book</b>, <b>cackled</b> <b>out</b> “<b>Silence</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>read</b> <b>out</b> <b>from</b> <b>his</b> <b>book</b>, “<b>Rule</b> <b>Forty</b>-<b>two</b>. <b>ALL</b> <b>PERSONS</b> <b>MORE</b> <b>THAN</b> <b>A</b> <b>MILE</b> <b>HIGH</b> <b>TO</b> <b>LEAVE</b> <b>THE</b> <b>COURT</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Everybody</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>M</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>mile</b> <b>high</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nearly</b> <b>two</b> <b>miles</b> <b>high</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b> <b>go</b>, <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>: “<b>besides</b>, <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>regular</b> <b>rule</b>: <b>you</b> <b>invented</b> <b>it</b> <b>just</b> <b>now</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>oldest</b> <b>rule</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>book</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>it</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>Number</b> <b>One</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b> <b>turned</b> <b>pale</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shut</b> <b>his</b> <b>note</b>-<b>book</b> <b>hastily</b>. “<b>Consider</b> <b>your</b> <b>verdict</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b>, <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>more</b> <b>evidence</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>yet</b>, <b>please</b> <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>, <b>jumping</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b>; “<b>this</b> <b>paper</b> <b>has</b> <b>just</b> <b>been</b> <b>picked</b> <b>up</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b>'<b>s</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>opened</b> <b>it</b> <b>yet</b>, <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>, “<b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>seems</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>letter</b>, <b>written</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>prisoner</b> <b>to</b>—<b>to</b> <b>somebody</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>unless</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>written</b> <b>to</b> <b>nobody</b>, <b>which</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>usual</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b> <b>directed</b> <b>to</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>jurymen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>directed</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>; “<b>in</b> <b>fact</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>written</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>OUTSIDE</b>.” <b>He</b> <b>unfolded</b> <b>the</b> <b>paper</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>, <b>and</b> <b>added</b> “<b>It</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>a</b> <b>letter</b>, <b>after</b> <b>all</b>: <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>set</b> <b>of</b> <b>verses</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Are</b> <b>they</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>prisoner</b>'<b>s</b> <b>handwriting</b>?” <b>asked</b> <b>another</b> <b>of</b> <b>they</b> <b>jurymen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>queerest</b> <b>thing</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>.” (<b>The</b> <b>jury</b> <b>all</b> <b>looked</b> <b>puzzled</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>He</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>imitated</b> <b>somebody</b> <b>else</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hand</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>. (<b>The</b> <b>jury</b> <b>all</b> <b>brightened</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>Please</b> <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Knave</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>write</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>prove</b> <b>I</b> <b>did</b>: <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>name</b> <b>signed</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>sign</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>that</b> <b>only</b> <b>makes</b> <b>the</b> <b>matter</b> <b>worse</b>. <b>You</b> <b>MUST</b> <b>have</b> <b>meant</b> <b>some</b> <b>mischief</b>, <b>or</b> <b>else</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>have</b> <b>signed</b> <b>your</b> <b>name</b> <b>like</b> <b>an</b> <b>honest</b> <b>man</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>general</b> <b>clapping</b> <b>of</b> <b>hands</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b>: <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>really</b> <b>clever</b> <b>thing</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>had</b> <b>said</b> <b>that</b> <b>day</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>PROVES</b> <b>his</b> <b>guilt</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>proves</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sort</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>. “<b>Why</b>, <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>even</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>about</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Read</b> <b>them</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> <b>spectacles</b>. “<b>Where</b> <b>shall</b> <b>I</b> <b>begin</b>, <b>please</b> <b>your</b> <b>Majesty</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Begin</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>beginning</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>gravely</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>till</b> <b>you</b> <b>come</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b>: <b>then</b> <b>stop</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>These</b> <b>were</b> <b>the</b> <b>verses</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>read</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>told</b> <b>me</b> <b>you</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>mentioned</b> <b>me</b> <b>to</b> <b>him</b>:<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>gave</b> <b>me</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>character</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>But</b> <b>said</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>swim</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>He</b> <b>sent</b> <b>them</b> <b>word</b> <b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>gone</b><br>
|
||||
(<b>We</b> <b>know</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>true</b>):<br>
|
||||
<b>If</b> <b>she</b> <b>should</b> <b>push</b> <b>the</b> <b>matter</b> <b>on</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>What</b> <b>would</b> <b>become</b> <b>of</b> <b>you</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>I</b> <b>gave</b> <b>her</b> <b>one</b>, <b>they</b> <b>gave</b> <b>him</b> <b>two</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>You</b> <b>gave</b> <b>us</b> <b>three</b> <b>or</b> <b>more</b>;<br>
|
||||
<b>They</b> <b>all</b> <b>returned</b> <b>from</b> <b>him</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Though</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>mine</b> <b>before</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>If</b> <b>I</b> <b>or</b> <b>she</b> <b>should</b> <b>chance</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b><br>
|
||||
<b>Involved</b> <b>in</b> <b>this</b> <b>affair</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>He</b> <b>trusts</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>set</b> <b>them</b> <b>free</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Exactly</b> <b>as</b> <b>we</b> <b>were</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>My</b> <b>notion</b> <b>was</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b><br>
|
||||
(<b>Before</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>this</b> <b>fit</b>)<br>
|
||||
<b>An</b> <b>obstacle</b> <b>that</b> <b>came</b> <b>between</b><br>
|
||||
<b>Him</b>, <b>and</b> <b>ourselves</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>let</b> <b>him</b> <b>know</b> <b>she</b> <b>liked</b> <b>them</b> <b>best</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>this</b> <b>must</b> <b>ever</b> <b>be</b><br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> <b>secret</b>, <b>kept</b> <b>from</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Between</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>and</b> <b>me</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>most</b> <b>important</b> <b>piece</b> <b>of</b> <b>evidence</b> <b>we</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>heard</b> <b>yet</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>rubbing</b> <b>his</b> <b>hands</b>; “<b>so</b> <b>now</b> <b>let</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>any</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>can</b> <b>explain</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, (<b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>grown</b> <b>so</b> <b>large</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>of</b> <b>interrupting</b> <b>him</b>,) “<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>give</b> <b>him</b> <b>sixpence</b>. _<b>I</b>_ <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>an</b> <b>atom</b> <b>of</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>jury</b> <b>all</b> <b>wrote</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>slates</b>, “<b>SHE</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>an</b> <b>atom</b> <b>of</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>none</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>attempted</b> <b>to</b> <b>explain</b> <b>the</b> <b>paper</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>that</b> <b>saves</b> <b>a</b> <b>world</b> <b>of</b> <b>trouble</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>as</b> <b>we</b> <b>needn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>try</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>any</b>. <b>And</b> <b>yet</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>spreading</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>verses</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> <b>knee</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>them</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>eye</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>some</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>them</b>, <b>after</b> <b>all</b>. «—<b>SAID</b> <b>I</b> <b>COULD</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>SWIM</b>—» <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>swim</b>, <b>can</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>added</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Knave</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Knave</b> <b>shook</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b> <b>sadly</b>. “<b>Do</b> <b>I</b> <b>look</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>said</b>. (<b>Which</b> <b>he</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>did</b> <b>NOT</b>, <b>being</b> <b>made</b> <b>entirely</b> <b>of</b> <b>cardboard</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>All</b> <b>right</b>, <b>so</b> <b>far</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>muttering</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>verses</b> <b>to</b> <b>himself</b>: “"<b>WE</b> <b>KNOW</b> <b>IT</b> <b>TO</b> <b>BE</b> <b>TRUE</b>—» <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>— «<b>I</b> <b>GAVE</b> <b>HER</b> <b>ONE</b>, <b>THEY</b> <b>GAVE</b> <b>HIM</b> <b>TWO</b>—» <b>why</b>, <b>that</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>what</b> <b>he</b> <b>did</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>tarts</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b>, <b>it</b> <b>goes</b> <b>on</b> «<b>THEY</b> <b>ALL</b> <b>RETURNED</b> <b>FROM</b> <b>HIM</b> <b>TO</b> <b>YOU</b>,"“ <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>, <b>there</b> <b>they</b> <b>are</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>triumphantly</b>, <b>pointing</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>tarts</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>. “<b>Nothing</b> <b>can</b> <b>be</b> <b>clearer</b> <b>than</b> <b>THAT</b>. <b>Then</b> <b>again</b>—"<b>BEFORE</b> <b>SHE</b> <b>HAD</b> <b>THIS</b> <b>FIT</b>—» <b>you</b> <b>never</b> <b>had</b> <b>fits</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Never</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>furiously</b>, <b>throwing</b> <b>an</b> <b>inkstand</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lizard</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>. (<b>The</b> <b>unfortunate</b> <b>little</b> <b>Bill</b> <b>had</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>writing</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> <b>slate</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>finger</b>, <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>found</b> <b>it</b> <b>made</b> <b>no</b> <b>mark</b>; <b>but</b> <b>he</b> <b>now</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>began</b> <b>again</b>, <b>using</b> <b>the</b> <b>ink</b>, <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>trickling</b> <b>down</b> <b>his</b> <b>face</b>, <b>as</b> <b>long</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>lasted</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>FIT</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>court</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>smile</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>dead</b> <b>silence</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>pun</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>added</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>offended</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>and</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>laughed</b>, “<b>Let</b> <b>the</b> <b>jury</b> <b>consider</b> <b>their</b> <b>verdict</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b>, <b>for</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>twentieth</b> <b>time</b> <b>that</b> <b>day</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>no</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>. “<b>Sentence</b> <b>first</b>—<b>verdict</b> <b>afterwards</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Stuff</b> <b>and</b> <b>nonsense</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>loudly</b>. “<b>The</b> <b>idea</b> <b>of</b> <b>having</b> <b>the</b> <b>sentence</b> <b>first</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hold</b> <b>your</b> <b>tongue</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>purple</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>shouted</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>voice</b>. <b>Nobody</b> <b>moved</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b> <b>cares</b> <b>for</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, (<b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>grown</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>full</b> <b>size</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>.) “<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>but</b> <b>a</b> <b>pack</b> <b>of</b> <b>cards</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>At</b> <b>this</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>pack</b> <b>rose</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>, <b>and</b> <b>came</b> <b>flying</b> <b>down</b> <b>upon</b> <b>her</b>: <b>she</b> <b>gave</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>scream</b>, <b>half</b> <b>of</b> <b>fright</b> <b>and</b> <b>half</b> <b>of</b> <b>anger</b>, <b>and</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>beat</b> <b>them</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>lying</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>bank</b>, <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>lap</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>gently</b> <b>brushing</b> <b>away</b> <b>some</b> <b>dead</b> <b>leaves</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>fluttered</b> <b>down</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>upon</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Wake</b> <b>up</b>, <b>Alice</b> <b>dear</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b>; “<b>Why</b>, <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>sleep</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>had</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>had</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>dream</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Alice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>told</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>remember</b> <b>them</b>, <b>all</b> <b>these</b> <b>strange</b> <b>Adventures</b> <b>of</b> <b>hers</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>have</b> <b>just</b> <b>been</b> <b>reading</b> <b>about</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>finished</b>, <b>her</b> <b>sister</b> <b>kissed</b> <b>her</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>It</b> <b>WAS</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>dream</b>, <b>dear</b>, <b>certainly</b>: <b>but</b> <b>now</b> <b>run</b> <b>in</b> <b>to</b> <b>your</b> <b>tea</b>; <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>getting</b> <b>late</b>.” <b>So</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>ran</b> <b>off</b>, <b>thinking</b> <b>while</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b>, <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>wonderful</b> <b>dream</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>But</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b> <b>sat</b> <b>still</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>left</b> <b>her</b>, <b>leaning</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>watching</b> <b>the</b> <b>setting</b> <b>sun</b>, <b>and</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>wonderful</b> <b>Adventures</b>, <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>too</b> <b>began</b> <b>dreaming</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>fashion</b>, <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>her</b> <b>dream</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<b>First</b>, <b>she</b> <b>dreamed</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>Alice</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>once</b> <b>again</b> <b>the</b> <b>tiny</b> <b>hands</b> <b>were</b> <b>clasped</b> <b>upon</b> <b>her</b> <b>knee</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>bright</b> <b>eager</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>were</b> <b>looking</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>hers</b>—<b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> <b>very</b> <b>tones</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>that</b> <b>queer</b> <b>little</b> <b>toss</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>to</b> <b>keep</b> <b>back</b> <b>the</b> <b>wandering</b> <b>hair</b> <b>that</b> <b>WOULD</b> <b>always</b> <b>get</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b>—<b>and</b> <b>still</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>listened</b>, <b>or</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b>, <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>place</b> <b>around</b> <b>her</b> <b>became</b> <b>alive</b> <b>the</b> <b>strange</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>little</b> <b>sister</b>'<b>s</b> <b>dream</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>long</b> <b>grass</b> <b>rustled</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>feet</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> <b>Rabbit</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>by</b>—<b>the</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>Mouse</b> <b>splashed</b> <b>his</b> <b>way</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>neighbouring</b> <b>pool</b>—<b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> <b>rattle</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>teacups</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>March</b> <b>Hare</b> <b>and</b> <b>his</b> <b>friends</b> <b>shared</b> <b>their</b> <b>never</b>-<b>ending</b> <b>meal</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>shrill</b> <b>voice</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>ordering</b> <b>off</b> <b>her</b> <b>unfortunate</b> <b>guests</b> <b>to</b> <b>execution</b>—<b>once</b> <b>more</b> <b>the</b> <b>pig</b>-<b>baby</b> <b>was</b> <b>sneezing</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>Duchess</b>'<b>s</b> <b>knee</b>, <b>while</b> <b>plates</b> <b>and</b> <b>dishes</b> <b>crashed</b> <b>around</b> <b>it</b>—<b>once</b> <b>more</b> <b>the</b> <b>shriek</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>the</b> <b>squeaking</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Lizard</b>'<b>s</b> <b>slate</b>-<b>pencil</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>choking</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>suppressed</b> <b>guinea</b>-<b>pigs</b>, <b>filled</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>, <b>mixed</b> <b>up</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>distant</b> <b>sobs</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>miserable</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>sat</b> <b>on</b>, <b>with</b> <b>closed</b> <b>eyes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>half</b> <b>believed</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>Wonderland</b>, <b>though</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>but</b> <b>to</b> <b>open</b> <b>them</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>would</b> <b>change</b> <b>to</b> <b>dull</b> <b>reality</b>—<b>the</b> <b>grass</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>only</b> <b>rustling</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>wind</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>rippling</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>waving</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>reeds</b>—<b>the</b> <b>rattling</b> <b>teacups</b> <b>would</b> <b>change</b> <b>to</b> <b>tinkling</b> <b>sheep</b>- <b>bells</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>shrill</b> <b>cries</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>voice</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>shepherd</b> <b>boy</b>—<b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>sneeze</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>baby</b>, <b>the</b> <b>shriek</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Gryphon</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>thy</b> <b>other</b> <b>queer</b> <b>noises</b>, <b>would</b> <b>change</b> (<b>she</b> <b>knew</b>) <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>confused</b> <b>clamour</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>busy</b> <b>farm</b>-<b>yard</b>—<b>while</b> <b>the</b> <b>lowing</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>cattle</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b> <b>would</b> <b>take</b> <b>the</b> <b>place</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Mock</b> <b>Turtle</b>'<b>s</b> <b>heavy</b> <b>sobs</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Lastly</b>, <b>she</b> <b>pictured</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>how</b> <b>this</b> <b>same</b> <b>little</b> <b>sister</b> <b>of</b> <b>hers</b> <b>would</b>, <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>after</b>-<b>time</b>, <b>be</b> <b>herself</b> <b>a</b> <b>grown</b> <b>woman</b>; <b>and</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>keep</b>, <b>through</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>riper</b> <b>years</b>, <b>the</b> <b>simple</b> <b>and</b> <b>loving</b> <b>heart</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>childhood</b>: <b>and</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>gather</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>other</b> <b>little</b> <b>children</b>, <b>and</b> <b>make</b> <b>THEIR</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>bright</b> <b>and</b> <b>eager</b> <b>with</b> <b>many</b> <b>a</b> <b>strange</b> <b>tale</b>, <b>perhaps</b> <b>even</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>dream</b> <b>of</b> <b>Wonderland</b> <b>of</b> <b>long</b> <b>ago</b>: <b>and</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>feel</b> <b>with</b> <b>all</b> <b>their</b> <b>simple</b> <b>sorrows</b>, <b>and</b> <b>find</b> <b>a</b> <b>pleasure</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>their</b> <b>simple</b> <b>joys</b>, <b>remembering</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>child</b>-<b>life</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>happy</b> <b>summer</b> <b>days</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
</body></html>
|
||||
File diff suppressed because one or more lines are too long
File diff suppressed because one or more lines are too long
@ -1,966 +0,0 @@
|
||||
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><meta http-equiv = "Content-Type" content = "text/html; charset=cp1251" /><title>HTML Document</title></head><body>Alice'<b>s</b> Adventures <b>in</b> Wonderland<br>
|
||||
Lewis Carroll<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>I</b><br>
|
||||
DOWN <b>THE</b> RABBIT-HOLE<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>very</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>by</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>bank</b>, <b>and</b> <b>of</b> <b>having</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>: <b>once</b> <b>or</b> <b>twice</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>peeped</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>book</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b> <b>was</b> <b>reading</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>pictures</b> <b>or</b> conversations <b>in</b> <b>it</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>what</b> <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>use</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>book</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice “<b>without</b> <b>pictures</b> <b>or</b> <b>conversation</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>considering</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>mind</b> (<b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>hot</b> <b>day</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>feel</b> <b>very</b> <b>sleepy</b> <b>and</b> <b>stupid</b>), <b>whether</b> <b>the</b> <b>pleasure</b> <b>of</b> <b>making</b> <b>a</b> daisy-<b>chain</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>worth</b> <b>the</b> <b>trouble</b> <b>of</b> <b>getting</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>picking</b> <b>the</b> daisies, <b>when</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>a</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>with</b> pink <b>eyes</b> <b>ran</b> <b>close</b> <b>by</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>remarkable</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b>; <b>nor</b> <b>did</b> Alice <b>think</b> <b>it</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>much</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>to</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>say</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b>, “<b>Oh</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>Oh</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>be</b> <b>late</b>!” (<b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>over</b> <b>afterwards</b>, <b>it</b> <b>occurred</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>wondered</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b>, <b>but</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>it</b> <b>all</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>quite</b> <b>natural</b>); <b>but</b> <b>when</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>actually</b> <b>TOOK</b> <b>A</b> WATCH OUT <b>OF</b> ITS WAISTCOAT-POCKET, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>on</b>, Alice <b>started</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>flashed</b> <b>across</b> <b>her</b> <b>mind</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>before</b> <b>see</b> <b>a</b> rabbit <b>with</b> <b>either</b> <b>a</b> <b>waistcoat</b>-<b>pocket</b>, <b>or</b> <b>a</b> <b>watch</b> <b>to</b> <b>take</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>burning</b> <b>with</b> <b>curiosity</b>, <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>across</b> <b>the</b> <b>field</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>fortunately</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>in</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> pop <b>down</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> rabbit-<b>hole</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedge</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>In</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b> <b>down</b> <b>went</b> Alice <b>after</b> <b>it</b>, <b>never</b> <b>once</b> <b>considering</b> <b>how</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> rabbit-<b>hole</b> <b>went</b> <b>straight</b> <b>on</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>tunnel</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>way</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>dipped</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>down</b>, <b>so</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>that</b> Alice <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>about</b> <b>stopping</b> <b>herself</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>falling</b> <b>down</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>deep</b> <b>well</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Either</b> <b>the</b> <b>well</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>deep</b>, <b>or</b> <b>she</b> <b>fell</b> <b>very</b> <b>slowly</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>plenty</b> <b>of</b> <b>time</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>and</b> <b>to</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>happen</b> <b>next</b>. <b>First</b>, <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>what</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>coming</b> <b>to</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>dark</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>anything</b>; <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>sides</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>well</b>, <b>and</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>filled</b> <b>with</b> cupboards <b>and</b> <b>book</b>-<b>shelves</b>; <b>here</b> <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>she</b> <b>saw</b> <b>maps</b> <b>and</b> <b>pictures</b> <b>hung</b> <b>upon</b> pegs. <b>She</b> <b>took</b> <b>down</b> <b>a</b> jar <b>from</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>shelves</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>passed</b>; <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>labelled</b> “ORANGE MARMALADE', <b>but</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>great</b> <b>disappointment</b> <b>it</b> <b>way</b> <b>empty</b>: <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>drop</b> <b>the</b> jar <b>for</b> <b>fear</b> <b>of</b> <b>killing</b> <b>somebody</b>, <b>so</b> <b>managed</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>into</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> cupboards <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>fell</b> <b>past</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>!” <b>thought</b> Alice <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>after</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>fall</b> <b>as</b> <b>this</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>think</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>of</b> <b>tumbling</b> <b>down</b> <b>stairs</b>! <b>How</b> <b>brave</b> <b>they</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>all</b> <b>think</b> <b>me</b> <b>at</b> <b>home</b>! <b>Why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>say</b> <b>anything</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>even</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>fell</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>!” (<b>Which</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>likely</b> <b>true</b>.)<br>
|
||||
<b>Down</b>, <b>down</b>, <b>down</b>. <b>Would</b> <b>the</b> <b>fall</b> NEVER <b>come</b> <b>to</b> <b>an</b> <b>end</b>! “<b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>how</b> <b>many</b> <b>miles</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>fallen</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>aloud</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>getting</b> <b>somewhere</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>centre</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>earth</b>. <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>see</b>: <b>that</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>four</b> <b>thousand</b> <b>miles</b> <b>down</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>—” (<b>for</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, Alice <b>had</b> learnt <b>several</b> <b>things</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>sort</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>lessons</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> schoolroom, <b>and</b> <b>though</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>good</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>for</b> <b>showing</b> <b>off</b> <b>her</b> <b>knowledge</b>, <b>as</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>one</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, <b>still</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>good</b> <b>practice</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>it</b> <b>over</b>) “—<b>yes</b>, <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>distance</b>—<b>but</b> <b>then</b> <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> Latitude <b>or</b> Longitude <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b>?” (Alice <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>idea</b> <b>what</b> Latitude <b>was</b>, <b>or</b> Longitude <b>either</b>, <b>but</b> <b>thought</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>nice</b> grand <b>words</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>.)<br>
|
||||
<b>Presently</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>again</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>fall</b> <b>right</b> THROUGH <b>the</b> <b>earth</b>! <b>How</b> <b>funny</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>out</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>people</b> <b>that</b> <b>walk</b> <b>with</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>downward</b>! <b>The</b> Antipathies, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>—” (<b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>rather</b> <b>glad</b> <b>there</b> WAS <b>no</b> <b>one</b> <b>listening</b>, <b>this</b> <b>time</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>sound</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>word</b>) “—<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>them</b> <b>what</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>country</b> <b>is</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Please</b>, Ma'<b>am</b>, <b>is</b> <b>this</b> <b>New</b> Zealand <b>or</b> Australia?” (<b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> curtsey <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>—<b>fancy</b> CURTSEYING <b>as</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>falling</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>! <b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>manage</b> <b>it</b>?) “<b>And</b> <b>what</b> <b>an</b> <b>ignorant</b> <b>little</b> girl <b>she</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>think</b> <b>me</b> <b>for</b> <b>asking</b>! <b>No</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>never</b> <b>do</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b>: <b>perhaps</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>written</b> <b>up</b> <b>somewhere</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Down</b>, <b>down</b>, <b>down</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>else</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>, <b>so</b> Alice <b>soon</b> <b>began</b> <b>talking</b> <b>again</b>. Dinah'<b>ll</b> <b>miss</b> <b>me</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>to</b>-<b>night</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b>!” (Dinah <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>cat</b>.) “<b>I</b> <b>hope</b> <b>they</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>remember</b> <b>her</b> <b>saucer</b> <b>of</b> <b>milk</b> <b>at</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>time</b>. Dinah <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>down</b> <b>here</b> <b>with</b> <b>me</b>! <b>There</b> <b>are</b> <b>no</b> mice <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b>, <b>but</b> <b>you</b> <b>might</b> <b>catch</b> <b>a</b> bat, <b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> mouse, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>But</b> <b>do</b> <b>cats</b> <b>eat</b> bats, <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b>?” <b>And</b> <b>here</b> Alice <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>rather</b> <b>sleepy</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> dreamy <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>way</b>, “<b>Do</b> <b>cats</b> <b>eat</b> bats? <b>Do</b> <b>cats</b> <b>eat</b> bats?” <b>and</b> <b>sometimes</b>, “<b>Do</b> bats <b>eat</b> <b>cats</b>?” <b>for</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>answer</b> <b>either</b> <b>question</b>, <b>it</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>much</b> <b>matter</b> <b>which</b> <b>way</b> <b>she</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b>. <b>She</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> dozing <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>begun</b> <b>to</b> <b>dream</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>walking</b> <b>hand</b> <b>in</b> <b>hand</b> <b>with</b> Dinah, <b>and</b> <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>very</b> <b>earnestly</b>, “<b>Now</b>, Dinah, <b>tell</b> <b>me</b> <b>the</b> <b>truth</b>: <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>ever</b> <b>eat</b> <b>a</b> bat?” <b>when</b> <b>suddenly</b>, thump! thump! <b>down</b> <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>heap</b> <b>of</b> <b>stick</b> <b>and</b> <b>dry</b> <b>leaves</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>fall</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b> <b>hurt</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>up</b> <b>on</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>feet</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b>: <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>dark</b> <b>overhead</b>; <b>before</b> <b>her</b> <b>was</b> <b>another</b> <b>long</b> <b>passage</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>was</b> <b>still</b> <b>in</b> <b>sight</b>, <b>hurrying</b> <b>down</b> <b>it</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>lost</b>: <b>away</b> <b>went</b> Alice <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>wind</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>in</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>hear</b> <b>it</b> <b>say</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>turned</b> <b>a</b> <b>corner</b>, “<b>Oh</b> <b>my</b> <b>ears</b> <b>and</b> whiskers, <b>how</b> <b>late</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>getting</b>!” <b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>close</b> <b>behind</b> <b>it</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>turned</b> <b>to</b> <b>corner</b>, <b>but</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>longer</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>seen</b>: <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b>, <b>low</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>lit</b> <b>up</b> <b>by</b> <b>a</b> row <b>of</b> <b>lamps</b> <b>hanging</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>were</b> <b>doors</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>but</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>locked</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> Alice <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>down</b> <b>one</b> <b>side</b> <b>and</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>trying</b> <b>every</b> <b>door</b>, <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>sadly</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b>, <b>wondering</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>ever</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Suddenly</b> <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>three</b>-<b>legged</b> <b>table</b>, <b>all</b> <b>made</b> <b>of</b> <b>solid</b> <b>glass</b>; <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> <b>except</b> <b>a</b> <b>tiny</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b>, <b>and</b> Alice'<b>s</b> <b>first</b> <b>thought</b> <b>was</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>belong</b> <b>to</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>doors</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b>; <b>but</b>, <b>alas</b>! <b>either</b> <b>the</b> <b>locks</b> <b>were</b> <b>too</b> <b>large</b>, <b>or</b> <b>the</b> <b>key</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>small</b>, <b>but</b> <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>open</b> <b>any</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>second</b> <b>time</b> <b>round</b>, <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>curtain</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>before</b>, <b>and</b> <b>behind</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b> <b>about</b> <b>fifteen</b> inches <b>high</b>: <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>lock</b>, <b>and</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>great</b> <b>delight</b> <b>it</b> <b>fitted</b>!<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>opened</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>led</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>small</b> <b>passage</b>, <b>not</b> <b>much</b> <b>larger</b> <b>than</b> <b>a</b> <b>rat</b>-<b>hole</b>: <b>she</b> <b>knelt</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>along</b> <b>the</b> <b>passage</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> loveliest <b>garden</b> <b>you</b> <b>ever</b> <b>saw</b>. <b>How</b> <b>she</b> <b>longed</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>dark</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wander</b> <b>about</b> <b>among</b> <b>those</b> <b>beds</b> <b>of</b> <b>bright</b> <b>flowers</b> <b>and</b> <b>those</b> <b>cool</b> <b>fountains</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>to</b> <b>even</b> <b>get</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>thought</b> <b>he</b> <b>doorway</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>even</b> <b>if</b> <b>my</b> <b>head</b> <b>would</b> <b>go</b> <b>through</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>poor</b> Alice, “<b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>of</b> <b>very</b> <b>little</b> <b>use</b> <b>without</b> <b>my</b> <b>shoulders</b>. <b>Oh</b>, <b>how</b> <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>shut</b> <b>up</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> telescope! <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>know</b> <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b>.” <b>For</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>out</b>-<b>of</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>way</b> <b>things</b> <b>had</b> <b>happened</b> <b>lately</b>, <b>that</b> Alice <b>had</b> <b>begun</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>that</b> <b>very</b> <b>few</b> <b>things</b> <b>indeed</b> <b>were</b> <b>really</b> <b>impossible</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>, <b>half</b> <b>hoping</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>find</b> <b>another</b> <b>key</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b>, <b>or</b> <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b> <b>a</b> <b>book</b> <b>or</b> <b>rules</b> <b>for</b> <b>shutting</b> <b>people</b> <b>up</b> <b>like</b> telescopes: <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b>, (`<b>which</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>here</b> <b>before</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice,) <b>and</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>neck</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>paper</b> <b>label</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> “DRINK ME” beautifully printed <b>on</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>large</b> <b>letters</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>very</b> <b>well</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> “<b>Drink</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>wise</b> <b>little</b> Alice <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> THAT <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurry</b>. “<b>No</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>look</b> <b>first</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>whether</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>marked</b> «<b>poison</b>» <b>or</b> <b>not</b>'; <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>read</b> <b>several</b> <b>nice</b> <b>little</b> <b>histories</b> <b>about</b> <b>children</b> <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> burnt, <b>and</b> <b>eaten</b> <b>up</b> <b>by</b> <b>wild</b> <b>beasts</b> <b>and</b> <b>other</b> <b>unpleasant</b> <b>things</b>, <b>all</b> <b>because</b> <b>they</b> WOULD <b>not</b> <b>remember</b> <b>the</b> <b>simple</b> <b>rules</b> <b>their</b> <b>friends</b> <b>had</b> <b>taught</b> <b>them</b>: <b>such</b> <b>as</b>, <b>that</b> <b>a</b> <b>red</b>-<b>hot</b> poker <b>will</b> <b>burn</b> <b>you</b> <b>if</b> <b>your</b> <b>hold</b> <b>it</b> <b>too</b> <b>long</b>; <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>cut</b> <b>your</b> <b>finger</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>deeply</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>knife</b>, <b>it</b> <b>usually</b> bleeds; <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>that</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>drink</b> <b>much</b> <b>from</b> <b>a</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>marked</b> “<b>poison</b>,” <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>almost</b> <b>certain</b> <b>to</b> disagree <b>with</b> <b>you</b>, <b>sooner</b> <b>or</b> <b>later</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>However</b>, <b>this</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>was</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>marked</b> “<b>poison</b>,” <b>so</b> Alice ventured <b>to</b> <b>taste</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>finding</b> <b>it</b> <b>very</b> <b>nice</b>, (<b>it</b> <b>had</b>, <b>in</b> <b>fact</b>, <b>a</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>mixed</b> flavour <b>of</b> cherry-<b>tart</b>, custard, <b>pine</b>-<b>apple</b>, <b>roast</b> turkey, toffee, <b>and</b> <b>hot</b> buttered toast,) <b>she</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>finished</b> <b>it</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>feeling</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice; “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>shutting</b> <b>up</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> telescope.”<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>so</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>indeed</b>: <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>only</b> <b>ten</b> inches <b>high</b>, <b>and</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b> <b>brightened</b> <b>up</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>thought</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b> <b>for</b> <b>going</b> <b>though</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b> <b>into</b> <b>that</b> lovely <b>garden</b>. <b>First</b>, <b>however</b>, <b>she</b> <b>waited</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>shrink</b> <b>any</b> <b>further</b>: <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> nervous <b>about</b> <b>this</b>; “<b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>end</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>going</b> <b>out</b> <b>altogether</b>, <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>candle</b>. <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>be</b> <b>like</b> <b>then</b>?” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>fancy</b> <b>what</b> <b>the</b> <b>flame</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>candle</b> <b>is</b> <b>like</b> <b>after</b> <b>the</b> <b>candle</b> <b>is</b> <b>blown</b> <b>out</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>remember</b> <b>ever</b> <b>having</b> <b>seen</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>After</b> <b>a</b> <b>while</b>, <b>finding</b> <b>that</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>more</b> <b>happened</b>, <b>she</b> <b>decided</b> <b>on</b> <b>going</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>; <b>but</b>, <b>alas</b> <b>for</b> <b>poor</b> Alice! <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b>, <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>possibly</b> <b>reach</b> <b>it</b>: <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>quite</b> <b>plainly</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>glass</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>her</b> <b>best</b> <b>to</b> <b>climb</b> <b>up</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>legs</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>slippery</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>tired</b> <b>herself</b> <b>out</b> <b>with</b> <b>trying</b>, <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>cried</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>crying</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>rather</b> <b>sharply</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>advise</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>leave</b> <b>off</b> <b>this</b> <b>minute</b>!” <b>She</b> <b>generally</b> <b>gave</b> <b>herself</b> <b>very</b> <b>good</b> <b>advice</b>, (<b>though</b> <b>she</b> <b>very</b> <b>seldom</b> <b>followed</b> <b>it</b>), <b>and</b> <b>sometimes</b> <b>she</b> scolded <b>herself</b> <b>so</b> severely <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>bring</b> <b>tears</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b>; <b>and</b> <b>once</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>box</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>ears</b> <b>for</b> <b>having</b> <b>cheated</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>game</b> <b>of</b> croquet <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>playing</b> <b>against</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>for</b> <b>this</b> <b>curious</b> <b>child</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>fond</b> <b>of</b> <b>pretending</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>two</b> <b>people</b>. “<b>But</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>now</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>poor</b> Alice, “<b>to</b> pretend <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>two</b> <b>people</b>! <b>Why</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>enough</b> <b>of</b> <b>me</b> <b>left</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> ONE <b>respectable</b> <b>person</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Soon</b> <b>her</b> <b>eye</b> <b>fell</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>glass</b> <b>box</b> <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>lying</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>: <b>she</b> <b>opened</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>small</b> <b>cake</b>, <b>on</b> <b>which</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> “EAT ME” <b>were</b> beautifully <b>marked</b> <b>in</b> currants. “<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>eat</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> Alive, “<b>and</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>makes</b> <b>me</b> <b>grow</b> <b>larger</b>, <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>reach</b> <b>the</b> <b>key</b>; <b>and</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>makes</b> <b>me</b> <b>grow</b> <b>smaller</b>, <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>creep</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>; <b>so</b> <b>either</b> <b>way</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>get</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>care</b> <b>which</b> <b>happens</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>ate</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bit</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>Which</b> <b>way</b>? <b>Which</b> <b>way</b>?', <b>holding</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>to</b> <b>feel</b> <b>which</b> <b>way</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>growing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>remained</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>size</b>: <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>sure</b>, <b>this</b> <b>generally</b> <b>happens</b> <b>when</b> <b>one</b> eats <b>cake</b>, <b>but</b> Alice <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>expecting</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>but</b> <b>out</b>-<b>of</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>way</b> <b>things</b> <b>to</b> <b>happen</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>quite</b> <b>dull</b> <b>and</b> <b>stupid</b> <b>for</b> <b>life</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>common</b> <b>way</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>finished</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>cake</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>II</b><br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> POOL <b>OF</b> TEARS<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“Curiouser <b>and</b> curiouser!” <b>cried</b> Alice (<b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>surprised</b>, <b>that</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>she</b> <b>quite</b> <b>forgot</b> <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>good</b> English); “<b>now</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>opening</b> <b>out</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>largest</b> telescope <b>that</b> <b>ever</b> <b>was</b>! <b>Good</b>-<b>bye</b>, <b>feet</b>!” (<b>for</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>they</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>almost</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>, <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>getting</b> <b>so</b> <b>far</b> <b>off</b>). “<b>Oh</b>, <b>my</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>who</b> <b>will</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>your</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>and</b> <b>stockings</b> <b>for</b> <b>you</b> <b>now</b>, dears? <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> _<b>I</b>_ <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>able</b>! <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>deal</b> <b>too</b> <b>far</b> <b>off</b> <b>to</b> <b>trouble</b> <b>myself</b> <b>about</b> <b>you</b>: <b>you</b> <b>must</b> <b>manage</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>way</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>; —<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>kind</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, “<b>or</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>they</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>walk</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>I</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b>! <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>see</b>: <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>give</b> <b>them</b> <b>a</b> <b>new</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>boots</b> <b>every</b> Christmas.”<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>planning</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>manage</b> <b>it</b>. “<b>They</b> <b>must</b> <b>go</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>carrier</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>how</b> <b>funny</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>seem</b>, <b>sending</b> <b>presents</b> <b>to</b> <b>one</b>'<b>s</b> <b>own</b> <b>feet</b>! <b>And</b> <b>how</b> <b>odd</b> <b>the</b> <b>directions</b> <b>will</b> <b>look</b>!<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
ALICE'<b>S</b> RIGHT FOOT, ESQ.<br>
|
||||
HEARTHRUG,<br>
|
||||
NEAR <b>THE</b> FENDER,<br>
|
||||
(WITH ALICE'<b>S</b> LOVE).<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Oh</b> <b>dear</b>, <b>what</b> <b>nonsense</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>talking</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Just</b> <b>then</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>struck</b> <b>against</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b>: <b>in</b> <b>fact</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> <b>nine</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>took</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b> <b>and</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>off</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b> <b>door</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Poor</b> Alice! <b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>do</b>, <b>lying</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b> <b>side</b>, <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>through</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>eye</b>; <b>but</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>through</b> <b>was</b> <b>more</b> <b>hopeless</b> <b>than</b> <b>ever</b>: <b>she</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>cry</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> ashamed <b>of</b> <b>yourself</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, “<b>a</b> <b>great</b> girl <b>like</b> <b>you</b>,” (<b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>well</b> <b>say</b> <b>this</b>), “<b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>crying</b> <b>in</b> <b>this</b> <b>way</b>! <b>Stop</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b>, <b>I</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b>!” <b>But</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b>, shedding gallons <b>of</b> <b>tears</b>, <b>until</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>pool</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b>, <b>about</b> <b>four</b> inches <b>deep</b> <b>and</b> <b>reaching</b> <b>half</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>After</b> <b>a</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> pattering <b>of</b> <b>feet</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>dried</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>was</b> <b>coming</b>. <b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>returning</b>, <b>splendidly</b> <b>dressed</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>white</b> kid <b>gloves</b> <b>in</b> <b>one</b> <b>hand</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>fan</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>: <b>he</b> <b>came</b> <b>trotting</b> <b>along</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b>, <b>muttering</b> <b>to</b> <b>himself</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>came</b>, “<b>Oh</b>! <b>the</b> Duchess, <b>the</b> Duchess! <b>Oh</b>! <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>she</b> <b>be</b> savage <b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>kept</b> <b>her</b> <b>waiting</b>!” Alice <b>felt</b> <b>so</b> <b>desperate</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>help</b> <b>of</b> <b>any</b> <b>one</b>; <b>so</b>, <b>when</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>came</b> <b>near</b> <b>her</b>, <b>she</b> <b>began</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b>, <b>timid</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>please</b>, <b>sir</b>—” <b>The</b> Rabbit <b>started</b> <b>violently</b>, <b>dropped</b> <b>the</b> <b>white</b> kid <b>gloves</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b>, <b>and</b> skurried <b>away</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>darkness</b> <b>as</b> <b>hard</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>could</b> <b>go</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>took</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>gloves</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>hall</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>hot</b>, <b>she</b> <b>kept</b> fanning <b>herself</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>talking</b>: “<b>Dear</b>, <b>dear</b>! <b>How</b> <b>queer</b> <b>everything</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b>-<b>day</b>! <b>And</b> <b>yesterday</b> <b>things</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>usual</b>. <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>been</b> <b>changed</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>night</b>? <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>think</b>: <b>was</b> <b>I</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>this</b> <b>morning</b>? <b>I</b> <b>almost</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>remember</b> <b>feeling</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>different</b>. <b>But</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b>, <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>question</b> <b>is</b>, <b>Who</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b>? <b>Ah</b>, THAT'<b>S</b> <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>puzzle</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>over</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>children</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b> <b>that</b> <b>were</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>age</b> <b>as</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>changed</b> <b>for</b> <b>any</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> Ada,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>her</b> <b>hair</b> <b>goes</b> <b>in</b> <b>such</b> <b>long</b> ringlets, <b>and</b> <b>mine</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>go</b> <b>in</b> ringlets <b>at</b> <b>all</b>; <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> Mabel, <b>for</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>all</b> <b>sorts</b> <b>of</b> <b>things</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b>, oh! <b>she</b> <b>knows</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>little</b>! <b>Besides</b>, SHE'<b>S</b> <b>she</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>I</b>, <b>and</b>—oh <b>dear</b>, <b>how</b> puzzling <b>it</b> <b>all</b> <b>is</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>try</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>things</b> <b>I</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>see</b>: <b>four</b> <b>times</b> <b>five</b> <b>is</b> <b>twelve</b>, <b>and</b> <b>four</b> <b>times</b> <b>six</b> <b>is</b> <b>thirteen</b>, <b>and</b> <b>four</b> <b>times</b> <b>seven</b> <b>is</b>—oh <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>never</b> <b>get</b> <b>to</b> <b>twenty</b> <b>at</b> <b>that</b> <b>rate</b>! <b>However</b>, <b>the</b> Multiplication Table <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> signify: <b>let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>try</b> Geography. London <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>capital</b> <b>of</b> Paris, <b>and</b> Paris <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>capital</b> <b>of</b> Rome, <b>and</b> Rome—<b>no</b>, THAT'<b>S</b> <b>all</b> <b>wrong</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>certain</b>! <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>changed</b> <b>for</b> Mabel! <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>try</b> <b>and</b> <b>say</b> «<b>How</b> doth <b>the</b> <b>little</b>— «” <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>crossed</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>lap</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>were</b> <b>saying</b> <b>lessons</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>it</b>, <b>but</b> <b>her</b> <b>voice</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>hoarse</b> <b>and</b> <b>strange</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>come</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> doth <b>the</b> <b>little</b> crocodile<br>
|
||||
Improve <b>his</b> <b>shining</b> <b>tail</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>pour</b> <b>the</b> <b>waters</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Nile<br>
|
||||
<b>On</b> <b>every</b> <b>golden</b> <b>scale</b>!<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>cheerfully</b> <b>he</b> <b>seems</b> <b>to</b> <b>grin</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>How</b> <b>neatly</b> <b>spread</b> <b>his</b> <b>claws</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>welcome</b> <b>little</b> <b>fishes</b> <b>in</b><br>
|
||||
<b>With</b> <b>gently</b> <b>smiling</b> <b>jaws</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>those</b> <b>are</b> <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>words</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>poor</b> Alice, <b>and</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>filled</b> <b>with</b> <b>tears</b> <b>again</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> Mabel <b>after</b> <b>all</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>and</b> <b>live</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b> poky <b>little</b> <b>house</b>, <b>and</b> <b>have</b> <b>next</b> <b>to</b> <b>no</b> <b>toys</b> <b>to</b> <b>play</b> <b>with</b>, <b>and</b> oh! <b>ever</b> <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>lessons</b> <b>to</b> <b>learn</b>! <b>No</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>made</b> <b>up</b> <b>my</b> <b>mind</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>; <b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> Mabel, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>stay</b> <b>down</b> <b>here</b>! <b>It</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>their</b> <b>putting</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>down</b> <b>and</b> <b>saying</b> «<b>Come</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b>, <b>dear</b>!» <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>only</b> <b>look</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>say</b> «<b>Who</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>then</b>? <b>Tell</b> <b>me</b> <b>that</b> <b>first</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>like</b> <b>being</b> <b>that</b> <b>person</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>come</b> <b>up</b>: <b>if</b> <b>not</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>stay</b> <b>down</b> <b>here</b> <b>till</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>somebody</b> <b>else</b>"—<b>but</b>, oh <b>dear</b>!” <b>cried</b> Alice, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>burst</b> <b>of</b> <b>tears</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>wish</b> <b>they</b> WOULD <b>put</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>down</b>! <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>being</b> <b>all</b> <b>alone</b> <b>here</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit'<b>s</b> <b>little</b> <b>white</b> kid <b>gloves</b> <b>while</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>talking</b>. “<b>How</b> CAN <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>done</b> <b>that</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>growing</b> <b>small</b> <b>again</b>.” <b>She</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b> <b>to</b> <b>measure</b> <b>herself</b> <b>by</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>that</b>, <b>as</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>guess</b>, <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>about</b> <b>two</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b> <b>shrinking</b> <b>rapidly</b>: <b>she</b> <b>soon</b> <b>found</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>cause</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>holding</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>dropped</b> <b>it</b> <b>hastily</b>, <b>just</b> <b>in</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>avoid</b> <b>shrinking</b> <b>away</b> <b>altogether</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> WAS <b>a</b> <b>narrow</b> <b>escape</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>change</b>, <b>but</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>herself</b> <b>still</b> <b>in</b> <b>existence</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>now</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>with</b> <b>all</b> <b>speed</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b>: <b>but</b>, <b>alas</b>! <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b> <b>was</b> <b>shut</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b> <b>was</b> <b>lying</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>glass</b> <b>table</b> <b>as</b> <b>before</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>things</b> <b>are</b> <b>worse</b> <b>than</b> <b>ever</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>child</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>small</b> <b>as</b> <b>this</b> <b>before</b>, <b>never</b>! <b>And</b> <b>I</b> declare <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>too</b> <b>bad</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>these</b> <b>words</b> <b>her</b> <b>foot</b> <b>slipped</b>, <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b>, <b>splash</b>! <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>chin</b> <b>in</b> <b>salt</b> <b>water</b>. <b>He</b> <b>first</b> <b>idea</b> <b>was</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>somehow</b> <b>fallen</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b> <b>case</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>go</b> <b>back</b> <b>by</b> railway,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>. (Alice <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> seaside <b>once</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>life</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>come</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>general</b> <b>conclusion</b>, <b>that</b> <b>wherever</b> <b>you</b> <b>go</b> <b>to</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> English coast <b>you</b> <b>find</b> <b>a</b> <b>number</b> <b>of</b> <b>bathing</b> <b>machines</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>, <b>some</b> <b>children</b> <b>digging</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sand</b> <b>with</b> <b>wooden</b> <b>spades</b>, <b>then</b> <b>a</b> row <b>of</b> <b>lodging</b> <b>houses</b>, <b>and</b> <b>behind</b> <b>them</b> <b>a</b> railway station.) <b>However</b>, <b>she</b> <b>soon</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>of</b> <b>tears</b> <b>which</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>wept</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>nine</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>cried</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>swam</b> <b>about</b>, <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>her</b> <b>way</b> <b>out</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>be</b> punished <b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>now</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b>, <b>by</b> <b>being</b> <b>drowned</b> <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>own</b> <b>tears</b>! <b>That</b> WILL <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>queer</b> <b>thing</b>, <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>sure</b>! <b>However</b>, <b>everything</b> <b>is</b> <b>queer</b> <b>to</b>-<b>day</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Just</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>something</b> <b>splashing</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>way</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>swam</b> <b>nearer</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>: <b>at</b> <b>first</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> walrus <b>or</b> hippopotamus, <b>but</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>how</b> <b>small</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>soon</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>only</b> <b>a</b> mouse <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>slipped</b> <b>in</b> <b>like</b> <b>herself</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Would</b> <b>it</b> <b>be</b> <b>of</b> <b>any</b> <b>use</b>, <b>now</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, “<b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>to</b> <b>this</b> mouse? <b>Everything</b> <b>is</b> <b>so</b> <b>out</b>-<b>of</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>way</b> <b>down</b> <b>here</b>, <b>that</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b> <b>very</b> <b>likely</b> <b>it</b> <b>can</b> <b>talk</b>: <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>harm</b> <b>in</b> <b>trying</b>.” <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b>: “<b>O</b> Mouse, <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>pool</b>? <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>very</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>swimming</b> <b>about</b> <b>here</b>, <b>O</b> Mouse!” (Alice <b>thought</b> <b>this</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>speaking</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> mouse: <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>done</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b> <b>before</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>having</b> <b>seen</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>brother</b>'<b>s</b> Latin Grammar, “<b>A</b> mouse—<b>of</b> <b>a</b> mouse—<b>to</b> <b>a</b> mouse—<b>a</b> mouse—<b>O</b> mouse!” <b>The</b> Mouse <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>rather</b> inquisitively, <b>and</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>to</b> <b>wink</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>little</b> <b>eyes</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Perhaps</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>understand</b> English,” <b>thought</b> Alice; “<b>I</b> <b>daresay</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> French mouse, <b>come</b> <b>over</b> <b>with</b> William <b>the</b> Conqueror.” (<b>For</b>, <b>with</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>knowledge</b> <b>of</b> <b>history</b>, Alice <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>very</b> <b>clear</b> <b>notion</b> <b>how</b> <b>long</b> <b>ago</b> <b>anything</b> <b>had</b> <b>happened</b>.) <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>again</b>: “Ou est ma chatte?” <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> sentence <b>in</b> <b>her</b> French <b>lesson</b>-<b>book</b>. <b>The</b> Mouse <b>gave</b> <b>a</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>leap</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>water</b>, <b>and</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>quiver</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b> <b>with</b> <b>fright</b>. “<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>!” <b>cried</b> Alice <b>hastily</b>, <b>afraid</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>hurt</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>animal</b>'<b>s</b> <b>feelings</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>quite</b> <b>forgot</b> <b>you</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>cats</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>like</b> <b>cats</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> Mouse, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>shrill</b>, passionate <b>voice</b>. “<b>Would</b> YOU <b>like</b> <b>cats</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>me</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>perhaps</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>in</b> <b>a</b> soothing <b>tone</b>: “<b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>angry</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>. <b>And</b> <b>yet</b> <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>show</b> <b>you</b> <b>our</b> <b>cat</b> Dinah: <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>take</b> <b>a</b> <b>fancy</b> <b>to</b> <b>cats</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>only</b> <b>see</b> <b>her</b>. <b>She</b> <b>is</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>dear</b> <b>quiet</b> <b>thing</b>,” Alice <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>half</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>swam</b> <b>lazily</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>sits</b> <b>purring</b> <b>so</b> nicely <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>fire</b>, <b>licking</b> <b>her</b> paws <b>and</b> <b>washing</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>—<b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>is</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>nice</b> <b>soft</b> <b>thing</b> <b>to</b> nurse—<b>and</b> <b>she</b>'<b>s</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>capital</b> <b>one</b> <b>for</b> <b>catching</b> mice—oh, <b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>!” <b>cried</b> Alice <b>again</b>, <b>for</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>was</b> <b>bristling</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>certain</b> <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>really</b> <b>offended</b>. “<b>We</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>rather</b> <b>not</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>We</b> <b>indeed</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> Mouse, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>tail</b>. “<b>As</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>would</b> <b>talk</b> <b>on</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>subject</b>! <b>Our</b> <b>family</b> <b>always</b> HATED <b>cats</b>: <b>nasty</b>, <b>low</b>, vulgar <b>things</b>! <b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>let</b> <b>me</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b> <b>again</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b> <b>to</b> <b>change</b> <b>the</b> <b>subject</b> <b>of</b> <b>conversation</b>. “<b>Are</b> <b>you</b>—<b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>fond</b>—<b>of</b>—<b>of</b> <b>dogs</b>?” <b>The</b> Mouse <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>answer</b>, <b>so</b> Alice <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>eagerly</b>: “<b>There</b> <b>is</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>nice</b> <b>little</b> <b>dog</b> <b>near</b> <b>our</b> <b>house</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>show</b> <b>you</b>! <b>A</b> <b>little</b> <b>bright</b>-<b>eyed</b> terrier, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>with</b> oh, <b>such</b> <b>long</b> <b>curly</b> <b>brown</b> <b>hair</b>! <b>And</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>fetch</b> <b>things</b> <b>when</b> <b>you</b> <b>throw</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>sit</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>beg</b> <b>for</b> <b>its</b> <b>dinner</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>sorts</b> <b>of</b> thins—<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b> <b>half</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>—<b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>belongs</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>farmer</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>says</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>so</b> <b>useful</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>worth</b> <b>a</b> <b>hundred</b> pounds! <b>He</b> <b>says</b> <b>it</b> kills <b>all</b> <b>the</b> rats <b>and</b>—oh <b>dear</b>!” <b>cried</b> Alice <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>sorrowful</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>offended</b> <b>it</b> <b>again</b>!” <b>For</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>was</b> <b>swimming</b> <b>away</b> <b>from</b> <b>her</b> <b>as</b> <b>hard</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>could</b> <b>go</b>, <b>and</b> <b>making</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>commotion</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>went</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>called</b> <b>softly</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>, “Mouse <b>dear</b>! <b>Do</b> <b>come</b> <b>back</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>we</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>cats</b> <b>or</b> <b>dogs</b> <b>either</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>them</b>!” <b>When</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>heard</b> <b>this</b>, <b>it</b> <b>turned</b> <b>round</b> <b>and</b> <b>swam</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>: <b>its</b> <b>face</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>pale</b> (<b>with</b> <b>passion</b>, Alice <b>thought</b>), <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>Let</b> <b>us</b> <b>get</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>shore</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>my</b> <b>history</b>, <b>and</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>understand</b> <b>why</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>I</b> <b>hate</b> <b>cats</b> <b>and</b> <b>dogs</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>high</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>was</b> <b>getting</b> <b>quite</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>birds</b> <b>and</b> <b>animals</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>fallen</b> <b>into</b> <b>it</b>: <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>a</b> Duck <b>and</b> <b>a</b> Dodo, <b>a</b> Lory <b>and</b> <b>an</b> Eaglet, <b>and</b> <b>several</b> <b>other</b> <b>curious</b> <b>creatures</b>. Alice <b>led</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>party</b> <b>swam</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>shore</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>III</b><br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> CAUCUS-RACE AND <b>A</b> <b>LONG</b> TALE<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>They</b> <b>were</b> <b>indeed</b> <b>a</b> <b>queer</b>-<b>looking</b> <b>party</b> <b>that</b> <b>assembled</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>bank</b>—<b>the</b> <b>birds</b> <b>with</b> <b>draggled</b> feathers, <b>the</b> <b>animals</b> <b>with</b> <b>their</b> <b>fur</b> <b>clinging</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>dripping</b> <b>wet</b>, <b>cross</b>, <b>and</b> <b>uncomfortable</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>first</b> <b>question</b> <b>of</b> <b>course</b> <b>was</b>, <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>dry</b> <b>again</b>: <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> consultation <b>about</b> <b>this</b>, <b>and</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>it</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>quite</b> <b>natural</b> <b>to</b> Alice <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>herself</b> <b>talking</b> familiarly <b>with</b> <b>them</b>, <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>known</b> <b>them</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>life</b>. <b>Indeed</b>, <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>argument</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> Lory, <b>who</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>turned</b> sulky, <b>and</b> <b>would</b> <b>only</b> <b>say</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>older</b> <b>than</b> <b>you</b>, <b>and</b> <b>must</b> <b>know</b> <b>better</b>'; <b>and</b> <b>this</b> Alice <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>allow</b> <b>without</b> <b>knowing</b> <b>how</b> <b>old</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> Lory <b>positively</b> <b>refused</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>its</b> <b>age</b>, <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>more</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>said</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>At</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> Mouse, <b>who</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>person</b> <b>of</b> <b>authority</b> <b>among</b> <b>them</b>, <b>called</b> <b>out</b>, “<b>Sit</b> <b>down</b>, <b>all</b> <b>of</b> <b>you</b>, <b>and</b> <b>listen</b> <b>to</b> <b>me</b>! <b>I</b>'LL <b>soon</b> <b>make</b> <b>you</b> <b>dry</b> <b>enough</b>!” <b>They</b> <b>all</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>ring</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b>. Alice <b>kept</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>fixed</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>sure</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>catch</b> <b>a</b> <b>bad</b> <b>cold</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>get</b> <b>dry</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Ahem!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>important</b> <b>air</b>, “<b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>all</b> <b>ready</b>? <b>This</b> <b>is</b> <b>the</b> driest <b>thing</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Silence</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>please</b>! «William <b>the</b> Conqueror, <b>whose</b> <b>cause</b> <b>was</b> <b>favoured</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> pope, <b>was</b> <b>soon</b> submitted <b>to</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> English, <b>who</b> <b>wanted</b> <b>leaders</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>of</b> <b>late</b> <b>much</b> <b>accustomed</b> <b>to</b> usurpation <b>and</b> <b>conquest</b>. Edwin <b>and</b> Morcar, <b>the</b> earls <b>of</b> Mercia <b>and</b> Northumbria- -"“<br>
|
||||
“Ugh!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Lory, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>shiver</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mouse, <b>frowning</b>, <b>but</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>: “<b>Did</b> <b>you</b> <b>speak</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>I</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Lory <b>hastily</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>thought</b> <b>you</b> <b>did</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mouse. “—<b>I</b> proceed. «Edwin <b>and</b> Morcar, <b>the</b> earls <b>of</b> Mercia <b>and</b> Northumbria, <b>declared</b> <b>for</b> <b>him</b>: <b>and</b> <b>even</b> Stigand, <b>the</b> patriotic archbishop <b>of</b> Canterbury, <b>found</b> <b>it</b> advisable—"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Found</b> WHAT?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duck.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Found</b> IT,” <b>the</b> Mouse <b>replied</b> <b>rather</b> crossly: “<b>of</b> <b>course</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> «<b>it</b>» <b>means</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> «<b>it</b>» <b>means</b> <b>well</b> <b>enough</b>, <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>find</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duck: “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>generally</b> <b>a</b> frog <b>or</b> <b>a</b> worm. <b>The</b> <b>question</b> <b>is</b>, <b>what</b> <b>did</b> <b>the</b> archbishop <b>find</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Mouse <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>notice</b> <b>this</b> <b>question</b>, <b>but</b> hurriedly <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “"—<b>found</b> <b>it</b> advisable <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>with</b> Edgar Atheling <b>to</b> <b>meet</b> William <b>and</b> <b>offer</b> <b>him</b> <b>the</b> <b>crown</b>. William'<b>s</b> <b>conduct</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b> <b>was</b> <b>moderate</b>. <b>But</b> <b>the</b> <b>insolence</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> Normans—» <b>How</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>getting</b> <b>on</b> <b>now</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>?” <b>it</b> <b>continued</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> Alice <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>spoke</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>As</b> <b>wet</b> <b>as</b> <b>ever</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>tone</b>: “<b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>dry</b> <b>me</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>that</b> <b>case</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dodo <b>solemnly</b>, <b>rising</b> <b>to</b> <b>its</b> <b>feet</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>move</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>meeting</b> adjourn, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>immediate</b> <b>adoption</b> <b>of</b> <b>more</b> <b>energetic</b> remedies—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Speak</b> English!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Eaglet. “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>the</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>of</b> <b>half</b> <b>those</b> <b>long</b> <b>words</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>what</b>'<b>s</b> <b>more</b>, <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>you</b> <b>do</b> <b>either</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>the</b> Eaglet <b>bent</b> <b>down</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b> <b>to</b> <b>hide</b> <b>a</b> <b>smile</b>: <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>birds</b> tittered audibly.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dodo <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>offended</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>thing</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>us</b> <b>dry</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> Caucus-<b>race</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>IS</b> <b>a</b> Caucus-<b>race</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice; <b>not</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>wanted</b> <b>much</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b>, <b>but</b> <b>the</b> Dodo <b>had</b> <b>paused</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>thought</b> <b>that</b> SOMEBODY <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b>, <b>and</b> <b>no</b> <b>one</b> <b>else</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>inclined</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>anything</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dodo, “<b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>way</b> <b>to</b> <b>explain</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b>.” (<b>And</b>, <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>might</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>thing</b> <b>yourself</b>, <b>some</b> <b>winter</b> <b>day</b>, <b>I</b> <b>will</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>how</b> <b>the</b> Dodo <b>managed</b> <b>it</b>.)<br>
|
||||
<b>First</b> <b>it</b> <b>marked</b> <b>out</b> <b>a</b> <b>race</b>-<b>course</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>circle</b>, (`<b>the</b> <b>exact</b> <b>shape</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>matter</b>,” <b>it</b> <b>said</b>,) <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>party</b> <b>were</b> <b>placed</b> <b>along</b> <b>the</b> <b>course</b>, <b>here</b> <b>and</b> <b>there</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> “<b>One</b>, <b>two</b>, <b>three</b>, <b>and</b> <b>away</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>they</b> <b>began</b> <b>running</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>liked</b>, <b>and</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>liked</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>easy</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b> <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>race</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>running</b> <b>half</b> <b>an</b> <b>hour</b> <b>or</b> <b>so</b>, <b>and</b> <b>were</b> <b>quite</b> <b>dry</b> <b>again</b>, <b>the</b> Dodo <b>suddenly</b> <b>called</b> <b>out</b> “<b>The</b> <b>race</b> <b>is</b> <b>over</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>round</b> <b>it</b>, <b>panting</b>, <b>and</b> <b>asking</b>, “<b>But</b> <b>who</b> <b>has</b> <b>won</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>question</b> <b>the</b> Dodo <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>answer</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>deal</b> <b>of</b> <b>thought</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>sat</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>time</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>finger</b> <b>pressed</b> <b>upon</b> <b>its</b> <b>forehead</b> (<b>the</b> <b>position</b> <b>in</b> <b>which</b> <b>you</b> <b>usually</b> <b>see</b> Shakespeare, <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pictures</b> <b>of</b> <b>him</b>), <b>while</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>waited</b> <b>in</b> <b>silence</b>. <b>At</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> Dodo <b>said</b>, “EVERYBODY <b>has</b> <b>won</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> prizes.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>who</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>give</b> <b>the</b> prizes?” <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>chorus</b> <b>of</b> <b>voices</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>, SHE, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dodo, <b>pointing</b> <b>to</b> Alice <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>finger</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>party</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b>, <b>calling</b> <b>out</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>confused</b> <b>way</b>, “Prizes! Prizes!”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>idea</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>, <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>despair</b> <b>she</b> <b>put</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>pocket</b>, <b>and</b> <b>pulled</b> <b>out</b> <b>a</b> <b>box</b> <b>of</b> comfits, (luckily <b>the</b> <b>salt</b> <b>water</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>got</b> <b>into</b> <b>it</b>), <b>and</b> <b>handed</b> <b>them</b> <b>round</b> <b>as</b> prizes. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>exactly</b> <b>one</b> <b>a</b>-<b>piece</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>she</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>a</b> prize <b>herself</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mouse.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>the</b> Dodo <b>replied</b> <b>very</b> <b>gravely</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>else</b> <b>have</b> <b>you</b> <b>got</b> <b>in</b> <b>your</b> <b>pocket</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Only</b> <b>a</b> thimble,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>sadly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Hand <b>it</b> <b>over</b> <b>here</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dodo.<br>
|
||||
<b>Then</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b> <b>once</b> <b>more</b>, <b>while</b> <b>the</b> Dodo <b>solemnly</b> <b>presented</b> <b>the</b> thimble, <b>saying</b> “<b>We</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> acceptance <b>of</b> <b>this</b> elegant thimble'; <b>and</b>, <b>when</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>finished</b> <b>this</b> <b>short</b> <b>speech</b>, <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>cheered</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>thought</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>thing</b> <b>very</b> <b>absurd</b>, <b>but</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>looked</b> <b>so</b> <b>grave</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>dare</b> <b>to</b> <b>laugh</b>; <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>anything</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>, <b>she</b> <b>simply</b> <b>bowed</b>, <b>and</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> thimble, <b>looking</b> <b>as</b> solemn <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>next</b> <b>thing</b> <b>was</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>the</b> comfits: <b>this</b> <b>caused</b> <b>some</b> <b>noise</b> <b>and</b> <b>confusion</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>large</b> <b>birds</b> complained <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>taste</b> <b>theirs</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>small</b> <b>ones</b> <b>choked</b> <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> patted <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>back</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>again</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>ring</b>, <b>and</b> <b>begged</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>them</b> <b>something</b> <b>more</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>promised</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b> <b>your</b> <b>history</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, “<b>and</b> <b>why</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>you</b> <b>hate</b>—<b>C</b> <b>and</b> <b>D</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>added</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>whisper</b>, <b>half</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>offended</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Mine <b>is</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>sad</b> <b>tale</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mouse, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> Alice, <b>and</b> <b>sighing</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>IS</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>tail</b>, <b>certainly</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>looking</b> <b>down</b> <b>with</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Mouse'<b>s</b> <b>tail</b>” “<b>but</b> <b>why</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>call</b> <b>it</b> <b>sad</b>?” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>kept</b> <b>on</b> puzzling <b>about</b> <b>it</b> <b>while</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>was</b> <b>speaking</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>her</b> <b>idea</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>tale</b> <b>was</b> <b>something</b> <b>like</b> <b>this</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“Fury <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> mouse,<br>
|
||||
<b>That</b> <b>he</b> <b>met</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>,<br>
|
||||
«<b>Let</b> <b>us</b> <b>both</b> <b>go</b> <b>to</b> <b>law</b>: <b>I</b> <b>will</b> prosecute YOU.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
—<b>Come</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>take</b> <b>no</b> <b>denial</b>;<br>
|
||||
<b>We</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>a</b> <b>trial</b>:<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>really</b> <b>this</b> <b>morning</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>.»<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Said</b> <b>the</b> mouse <b>to</b> <b>the</b> cur,<br>
|
||||
«<b>Such</b> <b>a</b> <b>trial</b>, <b>dear</b> Sir,<br>
|
||||
<b>With</b> <b>no</b> jury <b>or</b> <b>judge</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>would</b> <b>be</b> wasting <b>our</b> <b>breath</b>.»<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
«<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>judge</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> jury,»<br>
|
||||
<b>Said</b> <b>cunning</b> <b>old</b> Fury:<br>
|
||||
«<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>cause</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>and</b> condemn <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>death</b>.»<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>not</b> attending!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>to</b> Alice severely. “<b>What</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>of</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>very</b> humbly: “<b>you</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>fifth</b> <b>bend</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>NOT</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> Mouse, <b>sharply</b> <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>angrily</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>knot</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>always</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>herself</b> <b>useful</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looking</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b>. “<b>Oh</b>, <b>do</b> <b>let</b> <b>me</b> <b>help</b> <b>to</b> undo <b>it</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>do</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sort</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mouse, <b>getting</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>walking</b> <b>away</b>. “<b>You</b> <b>insult</b> <b>me</b> <b>by</b> <b>talking</b> <b>such</b> <b>nonsense</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mean</b> <b>it</b>!” pleaded <b>poor</b> Alice. “<b>But</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>so</b> <b>easily</b> <b>offended</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Mouse <b>only</b> <b>growled</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Please</b> <b>come</b> <b>back</b> <b>and</b> <b>finish</b> <b>your</b> <b>story</b>!” Alice <b>called</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>others</b> <b>all</b> <b>joined</b> <b>in</b> <b>chorus</b>, “<b>Yes</b>, <b>please</b> <b>do</b>!” <b>but</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>only</b> <b>shook</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b> <b>impatiently</b>, <b>and</b> <b>walked</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>quicker</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>pity</b> <b>it</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>stay</b>!” <b>sighed</b> <b>the</b> Lory, <b>as</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>; <b>and</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> Crab <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>of</b> <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>daughter</b> “<b>Ah</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>Let</b> <b>this</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>lesson</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b> <b>never</b> <b>to</b> <b>lose</b> YOUR <b>temper</b>!” “<b>Hold</b> <b>your</b> <b>tongue</b>, Ma!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>young</b> Crab, <b>a</b> <b>little</b> snappishly. “<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>enough</b> <b>to</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>patience</b> <b>of</b> <b>an</b> oyster!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>our</b> Dinah <b>here</b>, <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>I</b> <b>do</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice <b>aloud</b>, addressing <b>nobody</b> <b>in</b> <b>particular</b>. “<b>She</b>'<b>d</b> <b>soon</b> <b>fetch</b> <b>it</b> <b>back</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>who</b> <b>is</b> Dinah, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>might</b> <b>venture</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>the</b> <b>question</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Lory.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>replied</b> <b>eagerly</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>always</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> pet: “Dinah'<b>s</b> <b>our</b> <b>cat</b>. <b>And</b> <b>she</b>'<b>s</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>capital</b> <b>one</b> <b>for</b> <b>catching</b> mice <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b>! <b>And</b> oh, <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b> <b>her</b> <b>after</b> <b>the</b> <b>birds</b>! <b>Why</b>, <b>she</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>eat</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bird</b> <b>as</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>speech</b> <b>caused</b> <b>a</b> <b>remarkable</b> sensation <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>party</b>. <b>Some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>birds</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>off</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>: <b>one</b> <b>the</b> <b>old</b> Magpie <b>began</b> wrapping <b>itself</b> <b>up</b> <b>very</b> <b>carefully</b>, remarking, “<b>I</b> <b>really</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>getting</b> <b>home</b>; <b>the</b> <b>night</b>-<b>air</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>suit</b> <b>my</b> <b>throat</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>a</b> Canary <b>called</b> <b>out</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b> <b>to</b> <b>its</b> <b>children</b>, “<b>Come</b> <b>away</b>, <b>my</b> dears! <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>high</b> <b>time</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>in</b> <b>bed</b>!” <b>On</b> <b>various</b> pretexts <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>moved</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>was</b> <b>soon</b> <b>left</b> <b>alone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mentioned</b> Dinah!” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>tone</b>. “Nobody <b>seems</b> <b>to</b> <b>like</b> <b>her</b>, <b>down</b> <b>here</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>she</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>cat</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b>! <b>Oh</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b> Dinah! <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>ever</b> <b>see</b> <b>you</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>here</b> <b>poor</b> Alice <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>cry</b> <b>again</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>very</b> <b>lonely</b> <b>and</b> <b>low</b>-spirited. <b>In</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>while</b>, <b>however</b>, <b>she</b> <b>again</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> pattering <b>of</b> <b>footsteps</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b> <b>eagerly</b>, <b>half</b> <b>hoping</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> Mouse <b>had</b> <b>changed</b> <b>his</b> <b>mind</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>coming</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>finish</b> <b>his</b> <b>story</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>IV</b><br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> RABBIT SENDS <b>IN</b> <b>A</b> LITTLE BILL<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit, <b>trotting</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>back</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looking</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>about</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>went</b>, <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>lost</b> <b>something</b>; <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>it</b> <b>muttering</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b> “<b>The</b> Duchess! <b>The</b> Duchess! <b>Oh</b> <b>my</b> <b>dear</b> paws! <b>Oh</b> <b>my</b> <b>fur</b> <b>and</b> whiskers! <b>She</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>get</b> <b>me</b> executed, <b>as</b> <b>sure</b> <b>as</b> ferrets <b>are</b> ferrets! <b>Where</b> CAN <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>dropped</b> <b>them</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b>?” Alice <b>guessed</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>white</b> kid <b>gloves</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>very</b> <b>good</b>-naturedly <b>began</b> <b>hunting</b> <b>about</b> <b>for</b> <b>them</b>, <b>but</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>nowhere</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>seen</b>—<b>everything</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>changed</b> <b>since</b> <b>her</b> <b>swim</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>glass</b> <b>table</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>door</b>, <b>had</b> <b>vanished</b> <b>completely</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>noticed</b> Alice, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>hunting</b> <b>about</b>, <b>and</b> <b>called</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>angry</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>Why</b>, Mary <b>Ann</b>, <b>what</b> ARE <b>you</b> <b>doing</b> <b>out</b> <b>here</b>? <b>Run</b> <b>home</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b>, <b>and</b> <b>fetch</b> <b>me</b> <b>a</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>gloves</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>fan</b>! <b>Quick</b>, <b>now</b>!” <b>And</b> Alice <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>off</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>direction</b> <b>it</b> <b>pointed</b> <b>to</b>, <b>without</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>explain</b> <b>the</b> <b>mistake</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>made</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>He</b> <b>took</b> <b>me</b> <b>for</b> <b>his</b> housemaid,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b>. “<b>How</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>he</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>when</b> <b>he</b> <b>finds</b> <b>out</b> <b>who</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b>! <b>But</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>take</b> <b>him</b> <b>his</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>gloves</b>—<b>that</b> <b>is</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>find</b> <b>them</b>.” <b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>neat</b> <b>little</b> <b>house</b>, <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>of</b> <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>bright</b> brass plate <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b> “W. RABBIT” engraved <b>upon</b> <b>it</b>. <b>She</b> <b>went</b> <b>in</b> <b>without</b> <b>knocking</b>, <b>and</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>upstairs</b>, <b>in</b> <b>great</b> <b>fear</b> <b>lest</b> <b>she</b> <b>should</b> <b>meet</b> <b>the</b> <b>real</b> Mary <b>Ann</b>, <b>and</b> <b>be</b> <b>turned</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>found</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>gloves</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>queer</b> <b>it</b> <b>seems</b>,” Alice <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>going</b> <b>messages</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> rabbit! <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> Dinah'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>sending</b> <b>me</b> <b>on</b> <b>messages</b> <b>next</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> fancying <b>the</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>thing</b> <b>that</b> <b>would</b> <b>happen</b>: “"<b>Miss</b> Alice! <b>Come</b> <b>here</b> <b>directly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>get</b> <b>ready</b> <b>for</b> <b>your</b> <b>walk</b>!» «<b>Coming</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b>, nurse! <b>But</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> mouse <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b>.» <b>Only</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b>,” Alice <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>that</b> <b>they</b>'<b>d</b> <b>let</b> Dinah <b>stop</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>began</b> ordering <b>people</b> <b>about</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>By</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>found</b> <b>her</b> <b>way</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>tidy</b> <b>little</b> <b>room</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>table</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>and</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> (<b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>hoped</b>) <b>a</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>two</b> <b>or</b> <b>three</b> <b>pairs</b> <b>of</b> <b>tiny</b> <b>white</b> kid <b>gloves</b>: <b>she</b> <b>took</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>fan</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>pair</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>gloves</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>leave</b> <b>the</b> <b>room</b>, <b>when</b> <b>her</b> <b>eye</b> <b>fell</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>that</b> <b>stood</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>looking</b>- <b>glass</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>label</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> “DRINK ME,” <b>but</b> nevertheless <b>she</b> uncorked <b>it</b> <b>and</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>lips</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>know</b> SOMETHING <b>interesting</b> <b>is</b> <b>sure</b> <b>to</b> <b>happen</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>whenever</b> <b>I</b> <b>eat</b> <b>or</b> <b>drink</b> <b>anything</b>; <b>so</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>just</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>this</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>does</b>. <b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>hope</b> <b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>make</b> <b>me</b> <b>grow</b> <b>large</b> <b>again</b>, <b>for</b> <b>really</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>quite</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>being</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>tiny</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>did</b> <b>so</b> <b>indeed</b>, <b>and</b> <b>much</b> <b>sooner</b> <b>than</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>expected</b>: <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>drunk</b> <b>half</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottle</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>pressing</b> <b>against</b> <b>the</b> <b>ceiling</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> stoop <b>to</b> <b>save</b> <b>her</b> <b>neck</b> <b>from</b> <b>being</b> <b>broken</b>. <b>She</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>put</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottle</b>, <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>quite</b> <b>enough</b>—<b>I</b> <b>hope</b> <b>I</b> <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b> <b>grow</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b>—<b>As</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>, <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>get</b> <b>out</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>—<b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>drunk</b> <b>quite</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Alas</b>! <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>late</b> <b>to</b> <b>wish</b> <b>that</b>! <b>She</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>growing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>growing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> kneel <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>floor</b>: <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>minute</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>even</b> <b>room</b> <b>for</b> <b>this</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>the</b> <b>effect</b> <b>of</b> <b>lying</b> <b>down</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> elbow <b>against</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>arm</b> <b>curled</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>. <b>Still</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>growing</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>last</b> resource, <b>she</b> <b>put</b> <b>one</b> <b>arm</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>and</b> <b>one</b> <b>foot</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>Now</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>do</b> <b>no</b> <b>more</b>, <b>whatever</b> <b>happens</b>. <b>What</b> WILL <b>become</b> <b>of</b> <b>me</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>Luckily</b> <b>for</b> Alice, <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>magic</b> <b>bottle</b> <b>had</b> <b>now</b> <b>had</b> <b>its</b> <b>full</b> <b>effect</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>grew</b> <b>no</b> <b>larger</b>: <b>still</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>uncomfortable</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>there</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>chance</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>ever</b> <b>getting</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>room</b> <b>again</b>, <b>no</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>unhappy</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>much</b> pleasanter <b>at</b> <b>home</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>poor</b> Alice, “<b>when</b> <b>one</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>always</b> <b>growing</b> <b>larger</b> <b>and</b> <b>smaller</b>, <b>and</b> <b>being</b> <b>ordered</b> <b>about</b> <b>by</b> mice <b>and</b> rabbits. <b>I</b> <b>almost</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>gone</b> <b>down</b> <b>that</b> rabbit-<b>hole</b>—<b>and</b> <b>yet</b>—<b>and</b> <b>yet</b>—<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>rather</b> <b>curious</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>this</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>life</b>! <b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> CAN <b>have</b> <b>happened</b> <b>to</b> <b>me</b>! <b>When</b> <b>I</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>read</b> fairy-<b>tales</b>, <b>I</b> <b>fancied</b> <b>that</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>thing</b> <b>never</b> <b>happened</b>, <b>and</b> <b>now</b> <b>here</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b> <b>of</b> <b>one</b>! <b>There</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>book</b> <b>written</b> <b>about</b> <b>me</b>, <b>that</b> <b>there</b> <b>ought</b>! <b>And</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>grow</b> <b>up</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>write</b> <b>one</b>—<b>but</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>grown</b> <b>up</b> <b>now</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>added</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>sorrowful</b> <b>tone</b>; “<b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>room</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>up</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b> HERE.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>then</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, “<b>shall</b> <b>I</b> NEVER <b>get</b> <b>any</b> <b>older</b> <b>than</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>now</b>? <b>That</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>comfort</b>, <b>one</b> <b>way</b>—<b>never</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> <b>woman</b>- -<b>but</b> <b>then</b>—<b>always</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>lessons</b> <b>to</b> <b>learn</b>! <b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> THAT!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>you</b> <b>foolish</b> Alice!” <b>she</b> <b>answered</b> <b>herself</b>. “<b>How</b> <b>can</b> <b>you</b> <b>learn</b> <b>lessons</b> <b>in</b> <b>here</b>? <b>Why</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>room</b> <b>for</b> YOU, <b>and</b> <b>no</b> <b>room</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>for</b> <b>any</b> <b>lesson</b>-<b>books</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>taking</b> <b>first</b> <b>one</b> <b>side</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>and</b> <b>making</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>conversation</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>altogether</b>; <b>but</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>voice</b> <b>outside</b>, <b>and</b> <b>stopped</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Mary <b>Ann</b>! Mary <b>Ann</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>voice</b>. “Fetch <b>me</b> <b>my</b> <b>gloves</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b>!” <b>Then</b> <b>came</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> pattering <b>of</b> <b>feet</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>stairs</b>. Alice <b>knew</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>coming</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>trembled</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>shook</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>, <b>quite</b> <b>forgetting</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>now</b> <b>about</b> <b>a</b> <b>thousand</b> <b>times</b> <b>as</b> <b>large</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>no</b> <b>reason</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Presently</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>came</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>and</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>open</b> <b>it</b>; <b>but</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>opened</b> <b>inwards</b>, <b>and</b> Alice'<b>s</b> elbow <b>was</b> <b>pressed</b> <b>hard</b> <b>against</b> <b>it</b>, <b>that</b> <b>attempt</b> <b>proved</b> <b>a</b> failure. Alice <b>heard</b> <b>it</b> <b>say</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b> “<b>Then</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>go</b> <b>round</b> <b>and</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“THAT <b>you</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b>” <b>thought</b> Alice, <b>and</b>, <b>after</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>fancied</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>just</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>she</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>spread</b> <b>out</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>and</b> <b>made</b> <b>a</b> snatch <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>. <b>She</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>get</b> <b>hold</b> <b>of</b> <b>anything</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>shriek</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>fall</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>crash</b> <b>of</b> <b>broken</b> <b>glass</b>, <b>from</b> <b>which</b> <b>she</b> concluded <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>possible</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>fallen</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> cucumber-frame, <b>or</b> <b>something</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sort</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Next</b> <b>came</b> <b>an</b> <b>angry</b> <b>voice</b>—<b>the</b> Rabbit'<b>s</b>—`Pat! Pat! <b>Where</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>And</b> <b>then</b> <b>a</b> <b>voice</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>heard</b> <b>before</b>, “Sure <b>then</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>here</b>! Digging <b>for</b> <b>apples</b>, yer <b>honour</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“Digging <b>for</b> <b>apples</b>, <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>angrily</b>. “<b>Here</b>! <b>Come</b> <b>and</b> <b>help</b> <b>me</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> THIS!” (Sounds <b>of</b> <b>more</b> <b>broken</b> <b>glass</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>Now</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b>, Pat, <b>what</b>'<b>s</b> <b>that</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“Sure, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>an</b> <b>arm</b>, yer <b>honour</b>!” (<b>He</b> pronounced <b>it</b> “arrum.')<br>
|
||||
“<b>An</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>you</b> goose! <b>Who</b> <b>ever</b> <b>saw</b> <b>one</b> <b>that</b> <b>size</b>? <b>Why</b>, <b>it</b> fills <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>window</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“Sure, <b>it</b> <b>does</b>, yer <b>honour</b>: <b>but</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>an</b> <b>arm</b> <b>for</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>got</b> <b>no</b> <b>business</b> <b>there</b>, <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b>: <b>go</b> <b>and</b> <b>take</b> <b>it</b> <b>away</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>silence</b> <b>after</b> <b>this</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>could</b> <b>only</b> <b>hear</b> <b>whispers</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b>; <b>such</b> <b>as</b>, “Sure, <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b>, yer <b>honour</b>, <b>at</b> <b>all</b>, <b>at</b> <b>all</b>!” “<b>Do</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b>, <b>you</b> coward!” <b>and</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>she</b> <b>spread</b> <b>out</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>made</b> <b>another</b> snatch <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>. <b>This</b> <b>time</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> TWO <b>little</b> shrieks, <b>and</b> <b>more</b> <b>sounds</b> <b>of</b> <b>broken</b> <b>glass</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>number</b> <b>of</b> cucumber-frames <b>there</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b>!” <b>thought</b> Alice. “<b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>do</b> <b>next</b>! <b>As</b> <b>for</b> <b>pulling</b> <b>me</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>wish</b> <b>they</b> COULD! <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>sure</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>stay</b> <b>in</b> <b>here</b> <b>any</b> <b>longer</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>waited</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>without</b> <b>hearing</b> <b>anything</b> <b>more</b>: <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>came</b> <b>a</b> <b>rumbling</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> cartwheels, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>sound</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>many</b> <b>voice</b> <b>all</b> <b>talking</b> <b>together</b>: <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b>: “<b>Where</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>ladder</b>?—<b>Why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>to</b> <b>bring</b> <b>but</b> <b>one</b>; <b>Bill</b>'<b>s</b> <b>got</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>—<b>Bill</b>! <b>fetch</b> <b>it</b> <b>here</b>, <b>lad</b>!—<b>Here</b>, <b>put</b> '<b>em</b> <b>up</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b> <b>corner</b>—<b>No</b>, tie '<b>em</b> <b>together</b> <b>first</b>—<b>they</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>reach</b> <b>half</b> <b>high</b> <b>enough</b> <b>yet</b>—<b>Oh</b>! <b>they</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>do</b> <b>well</b> <b>enough</b>; <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>particular</b>- -<b>Here</b>, <b>Bill</b>! <b>catch</b> <b>hold</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>rope</b>—<b>Will</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>bear</b>?—<b>Mind</b> <b>that</b> <b>loose</b> slate—<b>Oh</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>coming</b> <b>down</b>! Heads <b>below</b>!” (<b>a</b> <b>loud</b> <b>crash</b>)—`<b>Now</b>, <b>who</b> <b>did</b> <b>that</b>?—<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>Bill</b>, <b>I</b> <b>fancy</b>—<b>Who</b>'<b>s</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b>?—<b>Nay</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b>! YOU <b>do</b> <b>it</b>!—<b>That</b> <b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b>, <b>then</b>!—<b>Bill</b>'<b>s</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>down</b>—<b>Here</b>, <b>Bill</b>! <b>the</b> <b>master</b> <b>says</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>! <b>So</b> <b>Bill</b>'<b>s</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b>, <b>has</b> <b>he</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>. “Shy, <b>they</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>everything</b> <b>upon</b> <b>Bill</b>! <b>I</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>in</b> <b>Bill</b>'<b>s</b> <b>place</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b>: <b>this</b> <b>fireplace</b> <b>is</b> <b>narrow</b>, <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>sure</b>; <b>but</b> <b>I</b> THINK <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>kick</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>drew</b> <b>her</b> <b>foot</b> <b>as</b> <b>far</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>and</b> <b>waited</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>animal</b> (<b>she</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>guess</b> <b>of</b> <b>what</b> <b>sort</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>) <b>scratching</b> <b>and</b> <b>scrambling</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimney</b> <b>close</b> <b>above</b> <b>her</b>: <b>then</b>, <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>This</b> <b>is</b> <b>Bill</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>gave</b> <b>one</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>kick</b>, <b>and</b> <b>waited</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>would</b> <b>happen</b> <b>next</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>first</b> <b>thing</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>general</b> <b>chorus</b> <b>of</b> “<b>There</b> <b>goes</b> <b>Bill</b>!” <b>then</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit'<b>s</b> <b>voice</b> <b>along</b>—`Catch <b>him</b>, <b>you</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>hedge</b>!” <b>then</b> <b>silence</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>another</b> <b>confusion</b> <b>of</b> <b>voices</b>—`<b>Hold</b> <b>up</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>—<b>Brandy</b> <b>now</b>—<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> choke <b>him</b>—<b>How</b> <b>was</b> <b>it</b>, <b>old</b> <b>fellow</b>? <b>What</b> <b>happened</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b>? <b>Tell</b> <b>us</b> <b>all</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Last</b> <b>came</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> feeble, <b>squeaking</b> <b>voice</b>, (`<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>Bill</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice,) “<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>know</b>—<b>No</b> <b>more</b>, <b>thank</b> <b>ye</b>; <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>better</b> <b>now</b>—<b>but</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>deal</b> <b>too</b> flustered <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b>—<b>all</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>is</b>, <b>something</b> <b>comes</b> <b>at</b> <b>me</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> Jack-<b>in</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>box</b>, <b>and</b> <b>up</b> <b>I</b> <b>goes</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>sky</b>-rocket!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>So</b> <b>you</b> <b>did</b>, <b>old</b> <b>fellow</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>others</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>We</b> <b>must</b> <b>burn</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>down</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit'<b>s</b> <b>voice</b>; <b>and</b> Alice <b>called</b> <b>out</b> <b>as</b> <b>loud</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, “<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>do</b>. <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>set</b> Dinah <b>at</b> <b>you</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>dead</b> <b>silence</b> <b>instantly</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b> WILL <b>do</b> <b>next</b>! <b>If</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>any</b> <b>sense</b>, <b>they</b>'<b>d</b> <b>take</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>off</b>.” <b>After</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>they</b> <b>began</b> <b>moving</b> <b>about</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>say</b>, “<b>A</b> barrowful <b>will</b> <b>do</b>, <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>with</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> barrowful <b>of</b> WHAT?” <b>thought</b> Alice; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>long</b> <b>to</b> <b>doubt</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>moment</b> <b>a</b> <b>shower</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>pebbles</b> <b>came</b> <b>rattling</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>window</b>, <b>and</b> <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>hit</b> <b>her</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>face</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>put</b> <b>a</b> <b>stop</b> <b>to</b> <b>this</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shouted</b> <b>out</b>, “<b>You</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>not</b> <b>do</b> <b>that</b> <b>again</b>!” <b>which</b> <b>produced</b> <b>another</b> <b>dead</b> <b>silence</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>noticed</b> <b>with</b> <b>some</b> <b>surprise</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>pebbles</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>turning</b> <b>into</b> <b>little</b> <b>cakes</b> <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>lay</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>floor</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>bright</b> <b>idea</b> <b>came</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>. “<b>If</b> <b>I</b> <b>eat</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>these</b> <b>cakes</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>sure</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> SOME <b>change</b> <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>size</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>possibly</b> <b>make</b> <b>me</b> <b>larger</b>, <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>make</b> <b>me</b> <b>smaller</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>swallowed</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>cakes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>delighted</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>shrinking</b> <b>directly</b>. <b>As</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>small</b> <b>enough</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>, <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>crowd</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>animals</b> <b>and</b> <b>birds</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>outside</b>. <b>The</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> Lizard, <b>Bill</b>, <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b>, <b>being</b> <b>held</b> <b>up</b> <b>by</b> <b>two</b> guinea-pigs, <b>who</b> <b>were</b> <b>giving</b> <b>it</b> <b>something</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>bottle</b>. <b>They</b> <b>all</b> <b>made</b> <b>a</b> <b>rush</b> <b>at</b> Alice <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>she</b> <b>appeared</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b> <b>off</b> <b>as</b> <b>hard</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>and</b> <b>soon</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>safe</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>thick</b> <b>wood</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>first</b> <b>thing</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>wandered</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>, “<b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>to</b> <b>my</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b> <b>again</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>second</b> <b>thing</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>my</b> <b>way</b> <b>into</b> <b>that</b> lovely <b>garden</b>. <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>that</b> <b>will</b> <b>be</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>plan</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>an</b> <b>excellent</b> <b>plan</b>, <b>no</b> <b>doubt</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>neatly</b> <b>and</b> <b>simply</b> <b>arranged</b>; <b>the</b> <b>only</b> <b>difficulty</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <b>smallest</b> <b>idea</b> <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>set</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>; <b>and</b> <b>while</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>peering</b> <b>about</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b>, <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>bark</b> <b>just</b> <b>over</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>look</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>An</b> <b>enormous</b> puppy <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>with</b> <b>large</b> <b>round</b> <b>eyes</b>, <b>and</b> feebly <b>stretching</b> <b>out</b> <b>one</b> paw, <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>touch</b> <b>her</b>. “<b>Poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> coaxing <b>tone</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>hard</b> <b>to</b> <b>whistle</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>terribly</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>thought</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>be</b> <b>hungry</b>, <b>in</b> <b>which</b> <b>case</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>very</b> <b>likely</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>her</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>spite</b> <b>of</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> coaxing.<br>
|
||||
<b>Hardly</b> <b>knowing</b> <b>what</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b>, <b>she</b> <b>picked</b> <b>up</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>bit</b> <b>of</b> <b>stick</b>, <b>and</b> <b>held</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> puppy; whereupon <b>the</b> puppy <b>jumped</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b> <b>off</b> <b>all</b> <b>its</b> <b>feet</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>yelp</b> <b>of</b> <b>delight</b>, <b>and</b> <b>rushed</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>stick</b>, <b>and</b> <b>made</b> <b>believe</b> <b>to</b> <b>worry</b> <b>it</b>; <b>then</b> Alice <b>dodged</b> <b>behind</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> thistle, <b>to</b> <b>keep</b> <b>herself</b> <b>from</b> <b>being</b> <b>run</b> <b>over</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>she</b> <b>appeared</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b>, <b>the</b> puppy <b>made</b> <b>another</b> <b>rush</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>stick</b>, <b>and</b> <b>tumbled</b> <b>head</b> <b>over</b> <b>heels</b> <b>in</b> <b>its</b> <b>hurry</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>hold</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>; <b>then</b> Alice, <b>thinking</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>like</b> <b>having</b> <b>a</b> <b>game</b> <b>of</b> <b>play</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>cart</b>-<b>horse</b>, <b>and</b> <b>expecting</b> <b>every</b> <b>moment</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>trampled</b> <b>under</b> <b>its</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>ran</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> thistle <b>again</b>; <b>then</b> <b>the</b> puppy <b>began</b> <b>a</b> <b>series</b> <b>of</b> <b>short</b> charges <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>stick</b>, <b>running</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>little</b> <b>way</b> <b>forwards</b> <b>each</b> <b>time</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>way</b> <b>back</b>, <b>and</b> <b>barking</b> hoarsely <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>while</b>, <b>till</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>it</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>way</b> <b>off</b>, <b>panting</b>, <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>tongue</b> <b>hanging</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b>, <b>and</b> <b>its</b> <b>great</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>half</b> <b>shut</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> Alice <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>for</b> <b>making</b> <b>her</b> <b>escape</b>; <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>off</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>and</b> <b>ran</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>tired</b> <b>and</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>breath</b>, <b>and</b> <b>till</b> <b>the</b> puppy'<b>s</b> <b>bark</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>quite</b> <b>faint</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>yet</b> <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>dear</b> <b>little</b> puppy <b>it</b> <b>was</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> leant <b>against</b> <b>a</b> buttercup <b>to</b> <b>rest</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>fanned</b> <b>herself</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>leaves</b>: “<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>have</b> <b>liked</b> teaching <b>it</b> tricks <b>very</b> <b>much</b>, <b>if</b>—<b>if</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>only</b> <b>been</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b>! <b>Oh</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>that</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b>! <b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>see</b>—<b>how</b> <b>IS</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>managed</b>? <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>I</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>or</b> <b>drink</b> <b>something</b> <b>or</b> <b>other</b>; <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>question</b> <b>is</b>, <b>what</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>great</b> <b>question</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>was</b>, <b>what</b>? Alice <b>looked</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b> <b>her</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>flowers</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>blades</b> <b>of</b> <b>grass</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>see</b> <b>anything</b> <b>that</b> <b>looked</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>thing</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>or</b> <b>drink</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>circumstances</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> mushroom <b>growing</b> <b>near</b> <b>her</b>, <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>height</b> <b>as</b> <b>herself</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>looked</b> <b>under</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>on</b> <b>both</b> <b>sides</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>behind</b> <b>it</b>, <b>it</b> <b>occurred</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>look</b> <b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>was</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>stretched</b> <b>herself</b> <b>up</b> <b>on</b> tiptoe, <b>and</b> <b>peeped</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>edge</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> mushroom, <b>and</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>immediately</b> <b>met</b> <b>those</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> caterpillar, <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>arms</b> <b>folded</b>, <b>quietly</b> <b>smoking</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> hookah, <b>and</b> <b>taking</b> <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <b>smallest</b> <b>notice</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>or</b> <b>of</b> <b>anything</b> <b>else</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> <b>V</b><br>
|
||||
ADVICE FROM <b>A</b> CATERPILLAR<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Caterpillar <b>and</b> Alice <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>each</b> <b>other</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>in</b> <b>silence</b>: <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar <b>took</b> <b>the</b> hookah <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b>, <b>and</b> <b>addressed</b> <b>her</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> languid, <b>sleepy</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b> <b>are</b> YOU?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>an</b> <b>encouraging</b> <b>opening</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>conversation</b>. Alice <b>replied</b>, <b>rather</b> <b>shyly</b>, “<b>I</b>—<b>I</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>know</b>, <b>sir</b>, <b>just</b> <b>at</b> <b>present</b>— <b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>who</b> <b>I</b> WAS <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>this</b> <b>morning</b>, <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>changed</b> <b>several</b> <b>times</b> <b>since</b> <b>then</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b> <b>by</b> <b>that</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar <b>sternly</b>. “Explain <b>yourself</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>explain</b> MYSELF, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b>, <b>sir</b>” <b>said</b> Alice, “<b>because</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>myself</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>more</b> <b>clearly</b>,” Alice <b>replied</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>understand</b> <b>it</b> <b>myself</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>with</b>; <b>and</b> <b>being</b> <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>different</b> <b>sizes</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>day</b> <b>is</b> <b>very</b> confusing.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>perhaps</b> <b>you</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>found</b> <b>it</b> <b>so</b> <b>yet</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice; “<b>but</b> <b>when</b> <b>you</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>turn</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> chrysalis—<b>you</b> <b>will</b> <b>some</b> <b>day</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—<b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>after</b> <b>that</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> butterfly, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>feel</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>queer</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>perhaps</b> <b>your</b> <b>feelings</b> <b>may</b> <b>be</b> <b>different</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice; “<b>all</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>is</b>, <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>feel</b> <b>very</b> <b>queer</b> <b>to</b> ME.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar contemptuously. “<b>Who</b> <b>are</b> YOU?”<br>
|
||||
<b>Which</b> <b>brought</b> <b>them</b> <b>back</b> <b>again</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>conversation</b>. Alice <b>felt</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> irritated <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar'<b>s</b> <b>making</b> <b>such</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>short</b> <b>remarks</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>drew</b> <b>herself</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, <b>very</b> <b>gravely</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>think</b>, <b>you</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b> <b>who</b> YOU <b>are</b>, <b>first</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>was</b> <b>another</b> puzzling <b>question</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> Alice <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>any</b> <b>good</b> <b>reason</b>, <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>unpleasant</b> state <b>of</b> <b>mind</b>, <b>she</b> <b>turned</b> <b>away</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b> <b>back</b>!” <b>the</b> Caterpillar <b>called</b> <b>after</b> <b>her</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>something</b> <b>important</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>promising</b>, <b>certainly</b>: Alice <b>turned</b> <b>and</b> <b>came</b> <b>back</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Keep</b> <b>your</b> <b>temper</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Is</b> <b>that</b> <b>all</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice, swallowing <b>down</b> <b>her</b> <b>anger</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>thought</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>wait</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>else</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>, <b>and</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>after</b> <b>all</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>tell</b> <b>her</b> <b>something</b> <b>worth</b> <b>hearing</b>. <b>For</b> <b>some</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>it</b> <b>puffed</b> <b>away</b> <b>without</b> <b>speaking</b>, <b>but</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>it</b> unfolded <b>its</b> <b>arms</b>, <b>took</b> <b>the</b> hookah <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>So</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>changed</b>, <b>do</b> <b>you</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b>, <b>sir</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice; “<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b> <b>things</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>used</b>—<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>keep</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>size</b> <b>for</b> <b>ten</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>together</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b> WHAT <b>things</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> «HOW DOTH <b>THE</b> LITTLE BUSY BEE,» <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>all</b> <b>came</b> <b>different</b>!” Alice <b>replied</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Repeat, «YOU ARE <b>OLD</b>, FATHER WILLIAM,"“ <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>folded</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>old</b>, Father William,” <b>the</b> <b>young</b> <b>man</b> <b>said</b>,<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>your</b> <b>hair</b> <b>has</b> <b>become</b> <b>very</b> <b>white</b>; <b>And</b> <b>yet</b> <b>you</b> incessantly <b>stand</b> <b>on</b> <b>your</b> <b>head</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b>, <b>at</b> <b>your</b> <b>age</b>, <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>right</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>my</b> <b>youth</b>,” Father William <b>replied</b> <b>to</b> <b>his</b> <b>son</b>,<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>feared</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> injure <b>the</b> brain; <b>But</b>, <b>now</b> <b>that</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>perfectly</b> <b>sure</b> <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>none</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b> <b>again</b> <b>and</b> <b>again</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>old</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>youth</b>, “<b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>mentioned</b> <b>before</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>have</b> <b>grown</b> <b>most</b> uncommonly <b>fat</b>; <b>Yet</b> <b>you</b> <b>turned</b> <b>a</b> <b>back</b>-<b>somersault</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>Pray</b>, <b>what</b> <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>of</b> <b>that</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>my</b> <b>youth</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> sage, <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>shook</b> <b>his</b> <b>grey</b> <b>locks</b>,<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>kept</b> <b>all</b> <b>my</b> <b>limbs</b> <b>very</b> <b>supple</b> <b>By</b> <b>the</b> <b>use</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>ointment</b>—<b>one</b> shilling <b>the</b> <b>box</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>Allow</b> <b>me</b> <b>to</b> <b>sell</b> <b>you</b> <b>a</b> <b>couple</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>old</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>youth</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>your</b> <b>jaws</b> <b>are</b> <b>too</b> <b>weak</b><br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>anything</b> <b>tougher</b> <b>than</b> suet; <b>Yet</b> <b>you</b> <b>finished</b> <b>the</b> goose, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>bones</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>beak</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>Pray</b> <b>how</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>manage</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>it</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> <b>my</b> <b>youth</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>his</b> <b>father</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>took</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>law</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>argued</b> <b>each</b> <b>case</b> <b>with</b> <b>my</b> <b>wife</b>; <b>And</b> <b>the</b> muscular <b>strength</b>, <b>which</b> <b>it</b> <b>gave</b> <b>to</b> <b>my</b> <b>jaw</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Has</b> <b>lasted</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>my</b> <b>life</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>old</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>youth</b>, “<b>one</b> <b>would</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>suppose</b><br>
|
||||
<b>That</b> <b>your</b> <b>eye</b> <b>was</b> <b>as</b> <b>steady</b> <b>as</b> <b>ever</b>; <b>Yet</b> <b>you</b> <b>balanced</b> <b>an</b> eel <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>your</b> <b>nose</b>—<br>
|
||||
<b>What</b> <b>made</b> <b>you</b> <b>so</b> awfully <b>clever</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>answered</b> <b>three</b> <b>questions</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b> <b>enough</b>,”<br>
|
||||
<b>Said</b> <b>his</b> <b>father</b>; “<b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>give</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>airs</b>! <b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>listen</b> <b>all</b> <b>day</b> <b>to</b> <b>such</b> <b>stuff</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Be</b> <b>off</b>, <b>or</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>kick</b> <b>you</b> <b>down</b> <b>stairs</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>is</b> <b>not</b> <b>said</b> <b>right</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> QUITE <b>right</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, timidly; <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>have</b> <b>got</b> <b>altered</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>is</b> <b>wrong</b> <b>from</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>end</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar decidedly, <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>silence</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>minutes</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Caterpillar <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>size</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b>?” <b>it</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>particular</b> <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>size</b>,” Alice <b>hastily</b> <b>replied</b>; “<b>only</b> <b>one</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>changing</b> <b>so</b> <b>often</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> DON'<b>T</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>: <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>been</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> contradicted <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>life</b> <b>before</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>losing</b> <b>her</b> <b>temper</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Are</b> <b>you</b> <b>content</b> <b>now</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> LITTLE <b>larger</b>, <b>sir</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mind</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice: “<b>three</b> inches <b>is</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>wretched</b> <b>height</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>is</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>good</b> <b>height</b> <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar <b>angrily</b>, rearing <b>itself</b> <b>upright</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>spoke</b> (<b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>exactly</b> <b>three</b> inches <b>high</b>).<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b>!” pleaded <b>poor</b> Alice <b>in</b> <b>a</b> piteous <b>tone</b>. <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>of</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>the</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>so</b> <b>easily</b> <b>offended</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>get</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar; <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>put</b> <b>the</b> hookah <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>smoking</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>time</b> Alice <b>waited</b> <b>patiently</b> <b>until</b> <b>it</b> <b>chose</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>again</b>. <b>In</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar <b>took</b> <b>the</b> hookah <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>and</b> <b>yawned</b> <b>once</b> <b>or</b> <b>twice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shook</b> <b>itself</b>. <b>Then</b> <b>it</b> <b>got</b> <b>down</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> mushroom, <b>and</b> <b>crawled</b> <b>away</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>grass</b>, <b>merely</b> remarking <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>went</b>, “<b>One</b> <b>side</b> <b>will</b> <b>make</b> <b>you</b> <b>grow</b> <b>taller</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b> <b>will</b> <b>make</b> <b>you</b> <b>grow</b> <b>shorter</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>One</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> WHAT? <b>The</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> WHAT?” <b>thought</b> Alice <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>the</b> mushroom,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar, <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>asked</b> <b>it</b> <b>aloud</b>; <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>remained</b> <b>looking</b> <b>thoughtfully</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> mushroom <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b>, <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>which</b> <b>were</b> <b>the</b> <b>two</b> <b>sides</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>perfectly</b> <b>round</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>this</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>difficult</b> <b>question</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>she</b> <b>stretched</b> <b>her</b> <b>arms</b> <b>round</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>far</b> <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>would</b> <b>go</b>, <b>and</b> <b>broke</b> <b>off</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>edge</b> <b>with</b> <b>each</b> <b>hand</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>now</b> <b>which</b> <b>is</b> <b>which</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>nibbled</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b>-<b>hand</b> <b>bit</b> <b>to</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>effect</b>: <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>moment</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>a</b> violent <b>blow</b> <b>underneath</b> <b>her</b> <b>chin</b>: <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>struck</b> <b>her</b> <b>foot</b>!<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>very</b> <b>sudden</b> <b>change</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>lost</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>shrinking</b> <b>rapidly</b>; <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>to</b> <b>eat</b> <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>bit</b>. <b>Her</b> <b>chin</b> <b>was</b> <b>pressed</b> <b>so</b> <b>closely</b> <b>against</b> <b>her</b> <b>foot</b>, <b>that</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>room</b> <b>to</b> <b>open</b> <b>her</b> <b>mouth</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>it</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>and</b> <b>managed</b> <b>to</b> swallow <b>a</b> morsel <b>of</b> <b>the</b> lefthand <b>bit</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>my</b> <b>head</b>'<b>s</b> <b>free</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>delight</b>, <b>which</b> <b>changed</b> <b>into</b> <b>alarm</b> <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b>, <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>that</b> <b>her</b> <b>shoulders</b> <b>were</b> <b>nowhere</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>found</b>: <b>all</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>see</b>, <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b>, <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>immense</b> <b>length</b> <b>of</b> <b>neck</b>, <b>which</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>rise</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> stalk <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>sea</b> <b>of</b> <b>green</b> <b>leaves</b> <b>that</b> <b>lay</b> <b>far</b> <b>below</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> CAN <b>all</b> <b>that</b> <b>green</b> <b>stuff</b> <b>be</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice. “<b>And</b> <b>where</b> HAVE <b>my</b> <b>shoulders</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b>? <b>And</b> oh, <b>my</b> <b>poor</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>how</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>moving</b> <b>them</b> <b>about</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>, <b>but</b> <b>no</b> <b>result</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>follow</b>, <b>except</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>shaking</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>distant</b> <b>green</b> <b>leaves</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>there</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>chance</b> <b>of</b> <b>getting</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>, <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>delighted</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>her</b> <b>neck</b> <b>would</b> <b>bend</b> <b>about</b> <b>easily</b> <b>in</b> <b>any</b> <b>direction</b>, <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>. <b>She</b> <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>succeeded</b> <b>in</b> <b>curving</b> <b>it</b> <b>down</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>graceful</b> zigzag, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>dive</b> <b>in</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>leaves</b>, <b>which</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>tops</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>under</b> <b>which</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>wandering</b>, <b>when</b> <b>a</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>hiss</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>draw</b> <b>back</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurry</b>: <b>a</b> <b>large</b> pigeon <b>had</b> <b>flown</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>beating</b> <b>her</b> <b>violently</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>wings</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Serpent!” <b>screamed</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice indignantly. “<b>Let</b> <b>me</b> <b>alone</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“Serpent, <b>I</b> <b>say</b> <b>again</b>!” <b>repeated</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon, <b>but</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>more</b> subdued <b>tone</b>, <b>and</b> <b>added</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> sob, “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>every</b> <b>way</b>, <b>and</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>seems</b> <b>to</b> <b>suit</b> <b>them</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>the</b> <b>least</b> <b>idea</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>talking</b> <b>about</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>the</b> <b>roots</b> <b>of</b> <b>trees</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>banks</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>tried</b> <b>hedges</b>,” <b>the</b> Pigeon <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>without</b> attending <b>to</b> <b>her</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>those</b> serpents! <b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> pleasing <b>them</b>!”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>more</b> <b>and</b> <b>more</b> <b>puzzled</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>saying</b> <b>anything</b> <b>more</b> <b>till</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon <b>had</b> <b>finished</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>As</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>trouble</b> <b>enough</b> hatching <b>the</b> eggs,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon; “<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b>-<b>out</b> <b>for</b> serpents <b>night</b> <b>and</b> <b>day</b>! <b>Why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>wink</b> <b>of</b> <b>sleep</b> <b>these</b> <b>three</b> <b>weeks</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>very</b> <b>sorry</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>been</b> <b>annoyed</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>its</b> <b>meaning</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>taken</b> <b>the</b> <b>highest</b> <b>tree</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>,” <b>continued</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon, <b>raising</b> <b>its</b> <b>voice</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>shriek</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>be</b> <b>free</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>they</b> <b>must</b> <b>needs</b> <b>come</b> <b>wriggling</b> <b>down</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>sky</b>! Ugh, Serpent!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>, <b>I</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b>—<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>! WHAT <b>are</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon. “<b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>see</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> invent <b>something</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>—<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> girl,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>rather</b> <b>doubtfully</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>the</b> <b>number</b> <b>of</b> <b>changes</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>gone</b> <b>through</b> <b>that</b> <b>day</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>likely</b> <b>story</b> <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> deepest <b>contempt</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>many</b> <b>little</b> girls <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>time</b>, <b>but</b> <b>never</b> ONE <b>with</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>neck</b> <b>as</b> <b>that</b>! <b>No</b>, <b>no</b>! <b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>; <b>and</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>denying</b> <b>it</b>. <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>telling</b> <b>me</b> <b>next</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>never</b> <b>tasted</b> <b>an</b> egg!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> HAVE <b>tasted</b> eggs, <b>certainly</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> truthful <b>child</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>little</b> girls <b>eat</b> eggs <b>quite</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>as</b> serpents <b>do</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon; “<b>but</b> <b>if</b> <b>they</b> <b>do</b>, <b>why</b> <b>then</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>a</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>serpent</b>, <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>say</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>was</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>new</b> <b>idea</b> <b>to</b> Alice, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>silent</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>which</b> <b>gave</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon <b>the</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>of</b> <b>adding</b>, “<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> eggs, <b>I</b> <b>know</b> THAT <b>well</b> <b>enough</b>; <b>and</b> <b>what</b> <b>does</b> <b>it</b> <b>matter</b> <b>to</b> <b>me</b> <b>whether</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> girl <b>or</b> <b>a</b> <b>serpent</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>matters</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>to</b> ME,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>hastily</b>; “<b>but</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>not</b> <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> eggs, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>happens</b>; <b>and</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>want</b> YOURS: <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>them</b> <b>raw</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>be</b> <b>off</b>, <b>then</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Pigeon <b>in</b> <b>a</b> sulky <b>tone</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>settled</b> <b>down</b> <b>again</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>nest</b>. Alice <b>crouched</b> <b>down</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>for</b> <b>her</b> <b>neck</b> <b>kept</b> <b>getting</b> <b>entangled</b> <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>branches</b>, <b>and</b> <b>every</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>stop</b> <b>and</b> untwist <b>it</b>. <b>After</b> <b>a</b> <b>while</b> <b>she</b> <b>remembered</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>still</b> <b>held</b> <b>the</b> <b>pieces</b> <b>of</b> mushroom <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>very</b> <b>carefully</b>, <b>nibbling</b> <b>first</b> <b>at</b> <b>one</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>and</b> <b>growing</b> <b>sometimes</b> <b>taller</b> <b>and</b> <b>sometimes</b> <b>shorter</b>, <b>until</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>succeeded</b> <b>in</b> <b>bringing</b> <b>herself</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>usual</b> <b>height</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>long</b> <b>since</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>anything</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>felt</b> <b>quite</b> <b>strange</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>talking</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>as</b> <b>usual</b>. “<b>Come</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>half</b> <b>my</b> <b>plan</b> <b>done</b> <b>now</b>! <b>How</b> puzzling <b>all</b> <b>these</b> <b>changes</b> <b>are</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>never</b> <b>sure</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b>, <b>from</b> <b>one</b> <b>minute</b> <b>to</b> <b>another</b>! <b>However</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>my</b> <b>right</b> <b>size</b>: <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>thing</b> <b>is</b>, <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>into</b> <b>that</b> <b>beautiful</b> <b>garden</b>—<b>how</b> <b>IS</b> <b>that</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>done</b>, <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b>?” <b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>upon</b> <b>an</b> <b>open</b> <b>place</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>house</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b> <b>about</b> <b>four</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>. “<b>Whoever</b> <b>lives</b> <b>there</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, “<b>it</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>never</b> <b>do</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>upon</b> <b>them</b> THIS <b>size</b>: <b>why</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>frighten</b> <b>them</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>their</b> <b>wits</b>!” <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>nibbling</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> righthand <b>bit</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>venture</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>brought</b> <b>herself</b> <b>down</b> <b>to</b> <b>nine</b> inches <b>high</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> VI<br>
|
||||
PIG AND PEPPER<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>she</b> <b>stood</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wondering</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>next</b>, <b>when</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>a</b> footman <b>in</b> livery <b>came</b> <b>running</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>—(<b>she</b> <b>considered</b> <b>him</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> footman <b>because</b> <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> livery: <b>otherwise</b>, judging <b>by</b> <b>his</b> <b>face</b> <b>only</b>, <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>called</b> <b>him</b> <b>a</b> <b>fish</b>)—<b>and</b> rapped <b>loudly</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> knuckles. <b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>opened</b> <b>by</b> <b>another</b> footman <b>in</b> livery, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>round</b> <b>face</b>, <b>and</b> <b>large</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> frog; <b>and</b> <b>both</b> footmen, Alice <b>noticed</b>, <b>had</b> powdered <b>hair</b> <b>that</b> <b>curled</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b>. <b>She</b> <b>felt</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>about</b>, <b>and</b> <b>crept</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>way</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Fish-Footman <b>began</b> <b>by</b> <b>producing</b> <b>from</b> <b>under</b> <b>his</b> <b>arm</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>letter</b>, <b>nearly</b> <b>as</b> <b>large</b> <b>as</b> <b>himself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>he</b> <b>handed</b> <b>over</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>saying</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> solemn <b>tone</b>, “<b>For</b> <b>the</b> Duchess. <b>An</b> <b>invitation</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>to</b> <b>play</b> croquet.” <b>The</b> Frog-Footman <b>repeated</b>, <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> solemn <b>tone</b>, <b>only</b> <b>changing</b> <b>the</b> <b>order</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>, “<b>From</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>. <b>An</b> <b>invitation</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> Duchess <b>to</b> <b>play</b> croquet.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Then</b> <b>they</b> <b>both</b> <b>bowed</b> <b>low</b>, <b>and</b> <b>their</b> <b>curls</b> <b>got</b> <b>entangled</b> <b>together</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>laughed</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>run</b> <b>back</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b> <b>for</b> <b>fear</b> <b>of</b> <b>their</b> <b>hearing</b> <b>her</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>next</b> <b>peeped</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> Fish-Footman <b>was</b> <b>gone</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>staring</b> <b>stupidly</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>sky</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>went</b> timidly <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>, <b>and</b> <b>knocked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>knocking</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Footman, “<b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>for</b> <b>two</b> <b>reasons</b>. <b>First</b>, <b>because</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>are</b>; secondly, <b>because</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>making</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>noise</b> <b>inside</b>, <b>no</b> <b>one</b> <b>could</b> <b>possibly</b> <b>hear</b> <b>you</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>most</b> extraordinary <b>noise</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b> <b>within</b>—<b>a</b> <b>constant</b> <b>howling</b> <b>and</b> sneezing, <b>and</b> <b>every</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>crash</b>, <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>a</b> <b>dish</b> <b>or</b> <b>kettle</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>broken</b> <b>to</b> <b>pieces</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Please</b>, <b>then</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, “<b>how</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b> <b>might</b> <b>be</b> <b>some</b> <b>sense</b> <b>in</b> <b>your</b> <b>knocking</b>,” <b>the</b> Footman <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>without</b> attending <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>we</b> <b>had</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>between</b> <b>us</b>. <b>For</b> <b>instance</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> INSIDE, <b>you</b> <b>might</b> <b>knock</b>, <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>let</b> <b>you</b> <b>out</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.” <b>He</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>sky</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>speaking</b>, <b>and</b> <b>this</b> Alice <b>thought</b> decidedly uncivil. “<b>But</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>he</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>help</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>; “<b>his</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>are</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>. <b>But</b> <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b> <b>he</b> <b>might</b> <b>answer</b> <b>questions</b>.—<b>How</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>repeated</b>, <b>aloud</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>sit</b> <b>here</b>,” <b>the</b> Footman remarked, “<b>till</b> <b>tomorrow</b>—”<br>
|
||||
<b>At</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>opened</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> plate <b>came</b> skimming <b>out</b>, <b>straight</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Footman'<b>s</b> <b>head</b>: <b>it</b> <b>just</b> grazed <b>his</b> <b>nose</b>, <b>and</b> <b>broke</b> <b>to</b> <b>pieces</b> <b>against</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>behind</b> <b>him</b>.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>or</b> <b>next</b> <b>day</b>, <b>maybe</b>,” <b>the</b> Footman <b>continued</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>exactly</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>had</b> <b>happened</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b>?” <b>asked</b> Alice <b>again</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>louder</b> <b>tone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“ARE <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Footman. “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>question</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>It</b> <b>was</b>, <b>no</b> <b>doubt</b>: <b>only</b> Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>told</b> <b>so</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>really</b> <b>dreadful</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>muttered</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>argue</b>. <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>enough</b> <b>to</b> <b>drive</b> <b>one</b> crazy!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Footman <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>this</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>for</b> <b>repeating</b> <b>his</b> <b>remark</b>, <b>with</b> <b>variations</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>sit</b> <b>here</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>on</b> <b>and</b> <b>off</b>, <b>for</b> <b>days</b> <b>and</b> <b>days</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>what</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“Anything <b>you</b> <b>like</b>” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Footman, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>whistling</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>talking</b> <b>to</b> <b>him</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>desperately</b>: “<b>he</b>'<b>s</b> <b>perfectly</b> idiotic!” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>opened</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>in</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>door</b> <b>led</b> <b>right</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>kitchen</b>, <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>full</b> <b>of</b> <b>smoke</b> <b>from</b> <b>one</b> <b>end</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>: <b>the</b> Duchess <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>three</b>-<b>legged</b> <b>stool</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b>, nursing <b>a</b> baby; <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>was</b> <b>leaning</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>fire</b>, <b>stirring</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> cauldron <b>which</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>full</b> <b>of</b> <b>soup</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b> pepper <b>in</b> <b>that</b> <b>soup</b>!” Alice <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>for</b> sneezing.<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>. <b>Even</b> <b>the</b> Duchess sneezed <b>occasionally</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> baby, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> sneezing <b>and</b> <b>howling</b> alternately <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b>'<b>s</b> <b>pause</b>. <b>The</b> <b>only</b> <b>things</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>kitchen</b> <b>that</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> sneeze, <b>were</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>cat</b> <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>hearth</b> <b>and</b> <b>grinning</b> <b>from</b> <b>ear</b> <b>to</b> <b>ear</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Please</b> <b>would</b> <b>you</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>a</b> <b>little</b> timidly, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>quite</b> <b>sure</b> <b>whether</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>good</b> manners <b>for</b> <b>her</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>first</b>, “<b>why</b> <b>your</b> <b>cat</b> <b>grins</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> Cheshire <b>cat</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess, “<b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>why</b>. Pig!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>word</b> <b>with</b> <b>such</b> <b>sudden</b> violence <b>that</b> Alice <b>quite</b> <b>jumped</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>saw</b> <b>in</b> <b>another</b> <b>moment</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>addressed</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> baby, <b>and</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>took</b> <b>courage</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>again</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>that</b> Cheshire <b>cats</b> <b>always</b> <b>grinned</b>; <b>in</b> <b>fact</b>, <b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>that</b> <b>cats</b> COULD <b>grin</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>all</b> <b>can</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess; “<b>and</b> <b>most</b> <b>of</b> '<b>em</b> <b>do</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>of</b> <b>any</b> <b>that</b> <b>do</b>,” Alice <b>said</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>, <b>feeling</b> <b>quite</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>got</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>conversation</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess; “<b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>fact</b>.”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b> <b>remark</b>, <b>and</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>to</b> introduce <b>some</b> <b>other</b> <b>subject</b> <b>of</b> <b>conversation</b>. <b>While</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> fix <b>on</b> <b>one</b>, <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> cauldron <b>of</b> <b>soup</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>fire</b>, <b>and</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>throwing</b> <b>everything</b> <b>within</b> <b>her</b> <b>reach</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Duchess <b>and</b> <b>the</b> baby- -<b>the</b> <b>fire</b>-irons <b>came</b> <b>first</b>; <b>then</b> <b>followed</b> <b>a</b> <b>shower</b> <b>of</b> saucepans, <b>plates</b>, <b>and</b> <b>dishes</b>. <b>The</b> Duchess <b>took</b> <b>no</b> <b>notice</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>even</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>hit</b> <b>her</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> baby <b>was</b> <b>howling</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>already</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>impossible</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>whether</b> <b>the</b> <b>blows</b> <b>hurt</b> <b>it</b> <b>or</b> <b>not</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, PLEASE <b>mind</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>doing</b>!” <b>cried</b> Alice, <b>jumping</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>down</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> agony <b>of</b> <b>terror</b>. “<b>Oh</b>, <b>there</b> <b>goes</b> <b>his</b> PRECIOUS <b>nose</b>'; <b>as</b> <b>an</b> <b>unusually</b> <b>large</b> saucepan <b>flew</b> <b>close</b> <b>by</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>carried</b> <b>it</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>minded</b> <b>their</b> <b>own</b> <b>business</b>,” <b>the</b> Duchess <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hoarse</b> growl, “<b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>would</b> <b>go</b> <b>round</b> <b>a</b> <b>deal</b> <b>faster</b> <b>than</b> <b>it</b> <b>does</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Which</b> <b>would</b> <b>NOT</b> <b>be</b> <b>an</b> <b>advantage</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>who</b> <b>felt</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>an</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>of</b> <b>showing</b> <b>off</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>knowledge</b>. “<b>Just</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>what</b> <b>work</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>make</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>day</b> <b>and</b> <b>night</b>! <b>You</b> <b>see</b> <b>the</b> <b>earth</b> <b>takes</b> <b>twenty</b>-<b>four</b> <b>hours</b> <b>to</b> <b>turn</b> <b>round</b> <b>on</b> <b>its</b> axis—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Talking</b> <b>of</b> axes,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess, “chop <b>off</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>!”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>glanced</b> <b>rather</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b>, <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>meant</b> <b>to</b> <b>take</b> <b>the</b> <b>hint</b>; <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>was</b> <b>busily</b> <b>stirring</b> <b>the</b> <b>soup</b>, <b>and</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>listening</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>again</b>: “<b>Twenty</b>-<b>four</b> <b>hours</b>, <b>I</b> THINK; <b>or</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b> <b>twelve</b>? <b>I</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> bother ME,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess; “<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>could</b> <b>abide</b> <b>figures</b>!” <b>And</b> <b>with</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> nursing <b>her</b> <b>child</b> <b>again</b>, <b>singing</b> <b>a</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> lullaby <b>to</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>so</b>, <b>and</b> <b>giving</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> violent <b>shake</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>every</b> <b>line</b>:<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Speak</b> <b>roughly</b> <b>to</b> <b>your</b> <b>little</b> boy,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>beat</b> <b>him</b> <b>when</b> <b>he</b> sneezes:<br>
|
||||
<b>He</b> <b>only</b> <b>does</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> annoy,<br>
|
||||
<b>Because</b> <b>he</b> <b>knows</b> <b>it</b> teases.”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
CHORUS.<br>
|
||||
(<b>In</b> <b>which</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> baby <b>joined</b>):—<br>
|
||||
“Wow! wow! wow!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>While</b> <b>the</b> Duchess <b>sang</b> <b>the</b> <b>second</b> <b>verse</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>song</b>, <b>she</b> <b>kept</b> <b>tossing</b> <b>the</b> baby <b>violently</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>down</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> howled <b>so</b>, <b>that</b> Alice <b>could</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>speak</b> severely <b>to</b> <b>my</b> boy,<br>
|
||||
<b>I</b> <b>beat</b> <b>him</b> <b>when</b> <b>he</b> sneezes;<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>he</b> <b>can</b> <b>thoroughly</b> <b>enjoy</b><br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> pepper <b>when</b> <b>he</b> pleases!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
CHORUS.<br>
|
||||
“Wow! wow! wow!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Here</b>! <b>you</b> <b>may</b> nurse <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>!” <b>the</b> Duchess <b>said</b> <b>to</b> Alice, flinging <b>the</b> baby <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>go</b> <b>and</b> <b>get</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>play</b> croquet <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>room</b>. <b>The</b> <b>cook</b> <b>threw</b> <b>a</b> frying-<b>pan</b> <b>after</b> <b>her</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>out</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>just</b> <b>missed</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>caught</b> <b>the</b> baby <b>with</b> <b>some</b> <b>difficulty</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>queer</b>- <b>shaped</b> <b>little</b> <b>creature</b>, <b>and</b> <b>held</b> <b>out</b> <b>its</b> <b>arms</b> <b>and</b> <b>legs</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>directions</b>, “<b>just</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>star</b>-<b>fish</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice. <b>The</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>was</b> snorting <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>steam</b>-engine <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>caught</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>kept</b> doubling <b>itself</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>straightening</b> <b>itself</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>altogether</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>do</b> <b>to</b> <b>hold</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>proper</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> nursing <b>it</b>, (<b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>to</b> twist <b>it</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>knot</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>keep</b> <b>tight</b> <b>hold</b> <b>of</b> <b>its</b> <b>right</b> <b>ear</b> <b>and</b> <b>left</b> <b>foot</b>, <b>so</b> <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>prevent</b> <b>its</b> <b>undoing</b> <b>itself</b>,) <b>she</b> <b>carried</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>open</b> <b>air</b>. “IF <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>take</b> <b>this</b> <b>child</b> <b>away</b> <b>with</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, “<b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>sure</b> <b>to</b> <b>kill</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>day</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>: <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>it</b> <b>be</b> <b>murder</b> <b>to</b> <b>leave</b> <b>it</b> <b>behind</b>?” <b>She</b> <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>words</b> <b>out</b> <b>loud</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> grunted <b>in</b> <b>reply</b> (<b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> sneezing <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>). “<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> grunt,” <b>said</b> Alice; “<b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>not</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>a</b> <b>proper</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> expressing <b>yourself</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> baby grunted <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>looked</b> <b>very</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>face</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>matter</b> <b>with</b> <b>it</b>. <b>There</b> <b>could</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>doubt</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>turn</b>-<b>up</b> <b>nose</b>, <b>much</b> <b>more</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>snout</b> <b>than</b> <b>a</b> <b>real</b> <b>nose</b>; <b>also</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>were</b> <b>getting</b> <b>extremely</b> <b>small</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> baby: <b>altogether</b> Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>thing</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>. “<b>But</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>only</b> sobbing,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>again</b>, <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>any</b> <b>tears</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>No</b>, <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>no</b> <b>tears</b>. “<b>If</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>turn</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> pig, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, seriously, “<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>have</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>more</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>with</b> <b>you</b>. <b>Mind</b> <b>now</b>!” <b>The</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> sobbed <b>again</b> (<b>or</b> grunted, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>impossible</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>which</b>), <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>while</b> <b>in</b> <b>silence</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>Now</b>, <b>what</b> <b>am</b> <b>I</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>with</b> <b>this</b> <b>creature</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>get</b> <b>it</b> <b>home</b>?” <b>when</b> <b>it</b> grunted <b>again</b>, <b>so</b> <b>violently</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>down</b> <b>into</b> <b>its</b> <b>face</b> <b>in</b> <b>some</b> <b>alarm</b>. <b>This</b> <b>time</b> <b>there</b> <b>could</b> <b>be</b> NO <b>mistake</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>: <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>neither</b> <b>more</b> <b>nor</b> <b>less</b> <b>than</b> <b>a</b> pig, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>quite</b> <b>absurd</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b> <b>to</b> <b>carry</b> <b>it</b> <b>further</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>set</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>creature</b> <b>down</b>, <b>and</b> <b>felt</b> <b>quite</b> <b>relieved</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>trot</b> <b>away</b> <b>quietly</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>. “<b>If</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>grown</b> <b>up</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>made</b> <b>a</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>ugly</b> <b>child</b>: <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>makes</b> <b>rather</b> <b>a</b> <b>handsome</b> pig, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>over</b> <b>other</b> <b>children</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b>, <b>who</b> <b>might</b> <b>do</b> <b>very</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> pigs, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>just</b> <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>one</b> <b>only</b> <b>knew</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>way</b> <b>to</b> <b>change</b> <b>them</b>—” <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>startled</b> <b>by</b> <b>seeing</b> <b>the</b> Cheshire Cat <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>bough</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>tree</b> <b>a</b> <b>few</b> <b>yards</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Cat <b>only</b> <b>grinned</b> <b>when</b> <b>it</b> <b>saw</b> Alice. <b>It</b> <b>looked</b> <b>good</b>- <b>natured</b>, <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>: <b>still</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>long</b> <b>claws</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>many</b> <b>teeth</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>treated</b> <b>with</b> <b>respect</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Cheshire Puss,” <b>she</b> <b>began</b>, <b>rather</b> timidly, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>know</b> <b>whether</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b>: <b>however</b>, <b>it</b> <b>only</b> <b>grinned</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>wider</b>. “<b>Come</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>so</b> <b>far</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>. “<b>Would</b> <b>you</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b>, <b>please</b>, <b>which</b> <b>way</b> <b>I</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>from</b> <b>here</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>depends</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>on</b> <b>where</b> <b>you</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>get</b> <b>to</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>much</b> <b>care</b> <b>where</b>—” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>matter</b> <b>which</b> <b>way</b> <b>you</b> <b>go</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>so</b> <b>long</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>get</b> SOMEWHERE,” Alice <b>added</b> <b>as</b> <b>an</b> <b>explanation</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>sure</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat, “<b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>only</b> <b>walk</b> <b>long</b> <b>enough</b>.”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>felt</b> <b>that</b> <b>this</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>be</b> denied, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>tried</b> <b>another</b> <b>question</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>people</b> <b>live</b> <b>about</b> <b>here</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>In</b> THAT <b>direction</b>,” <b>the</b> Cat <b>said</b>, <b>waving</b> <b>its</b> <b>right</b> paw <b>round</b>, “<b>lives</b> <b>a</b> Hatter: <b>and</b> <b>in</b> THAT <b>direction</b>,” <b>waving</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> paw, “<b>lives</b> <b>a</b> March Hare. Visit <b>either</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>: <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>both</b> <b>mad</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>among</b> <b>mad</b> <b>people</b>,” Alice remarked.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>help</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat: “<b>we</b>'<b>re</b> <b>all</b> <b>mad</b> <b>here</b>. <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>mad</b>. <b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>mad</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>mad</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat, “<b>or</b> <b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>come</b> <b>here</b>.”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b> <b>that</b> <b>proved</b> <b>it</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>; <b>however</b>, <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> “<b>And</b> <b>how</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>mad</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>To</b> <b>begin</b> <b>with</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat, “<b>a</b> <b>dog</b>'<b>s</b> <b>not</b> <b>mad</b>. <b>You</b> <b>grant</b> <b>that</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>so</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>then</b>,” <b>the</b> Cat <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>a</b> <b>dog</b> growls <b>when</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>angry</b>, <b>and</b> wags <b>its</b> <b>tail</b> <b>when</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>pleased</b>. <b>Now</b> <b>I</b> growl <b>when</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>pleased</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wag</b> <b>my</b> <b>tail</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>angry</b>. <b>Therefore</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>mad</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>call</b> <b>it</b> <b>purring</b>, <b>not</b> <b>growling</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Call</b> <b>it</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat. “<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>play</b> croquet <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>to</b>-<b>day</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, “<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>been</b> <b>invited</b> <b>yet</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>see</b> <b>me</b> <b>there</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat, <b>and</b> <b>vanished</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>much</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>getting</b> <b>so</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>queer</b> <b>things</b> <b>happening</b>. <b>While</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>place</b> <b>where</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b>, <b>it</b> <b>suddenly</b> <b>appeared</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>By</b>-<b>the</b>-<b>bye</b>, <b>what</b> <b>became</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> baby?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat. “<b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>turned</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> pig,” Alice <b>quietly</b> <b>said</b>, <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>come</b> <b>back</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>natural</b> <b>way</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat, <b>and</b> <b>vanished</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>waited</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>, <b>half</b> <b>expecting</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>again</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>appear</b>, <b>and</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>direction</b> <b>in</b> <b>which</b> <b>the</b> March Hare <b>was</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>live</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> hatters <b>before</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>; “<b>the</b> March Hare <b>will</b> <b>be</b> <b>much</b> <b>the</b> <b>most</b> <b>interesting</b>, <b>and</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>as</b> <b>this</b> <b>is</b> <b>May</b> <b>it</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> raving <b>mad</b>—<b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>not</b> <b>so</b> <b>mad</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> March.” <b>As</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> Cat <b>again</b>, <b>sitting</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>branch</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>tree</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Did</b> <b>you</b> <b>say</b> pig, <b>or</b> fig?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>said</b> pig,” <b>replied</b> Alice; “<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>keep</b> <b>appearing</b> <b>and</b> <b>vanishing</b> <b>so</b> <b>suddenly</b>: <b>you</b> <b>make</b> <b>on</b> <b>quite</b> giddy.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>All</b> <b>right</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat; <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>it</b> <b>vanished</b> <b>quite</b> <b>slowly</b>, <b>beginning</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>tail</b>, <b>and</b> <b>ending</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>grin</b>, <b>which</b> <b>remained</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>after</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>gone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>! <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>often</b> <b>seen</b> <b>a</b> <b>cat</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>grin</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice; “<b>but</b> <b>a</b> <b>grin</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> <b>cat</b>! <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>most</b> <b>curious</b> <b>thing</b> <b>I</b> <b>ever</b> <b>say</b> <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>life</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>gone</b> <b>much</b> farther <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>in</b> <b>sight</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> March Hare: <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>house</b>, <b>because</b> <b>the</b> <b>chimneys</b> <b>were</b> <b>shaped</b> <b>like</b> <b>ears</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>was</b> <b>thatched</b> <b>with</b> <b>fur</b>. <b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>large</b> <b>a</b> <b>house</b>, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>nearer</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>nibbled</b> <b>some</b> <b>more</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> lefthand <b>bit</b> <b>of</b> mushroom, <b>and</b> <b>raised</b> <b>herself</b> <b>to</b> <b>about</b> <b>two</b> <b>feet</b> <b>high</b>: <b>even</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>up</b> <b>towards</b> <b>it</b> <b>rather</b> timidly, <b>saying</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “Suppose <b>it</b> <b>should</b> <b>be</b> raving <b>mad</b> <b>after</b> <b>all</b>! <b>I</b> <b>almost</b> <b>wish</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>gone</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>the</b> Hatter <b>instead</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> VII<br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> MAD TEA-<b>PARTY</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>table</b> <b>set</b> <b>out</b> <b>under</b> <b>a</b> <b>tree</b> <b>in</b> <b>front</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>house</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> March Hare <b>and</b> <b>the</b> Hatter <b>were</b> <b>having</b> <b>tea</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b>: <b>a</b> Dormouse <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>between</b> <b>them</b>, <b>fast</b> <b>asleep</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>two</b> <b>were</b> <b>using</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>a</b> cushion, <b>resting</b> <b>their</b> elbows <b>on</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>talking</b> <b>over</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b>. “<b>Very</b> <b>uncomfortable</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse,” <b>thought</b> Alice; “<b>only</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>asleep</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mind</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>table</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>one</b>, <b>but</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>crowded</b> <b>together</b> <b>at</b> <b>one</b> <b>corner</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>: “<b>No</b> <b>room</b>! <b>No</b> <b>room</b>!” <b>they</b> <b>cried</b> <b>out</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>saw</b> Alice <b>coming</b>. “<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> PLENTY <b>of</b> <b>room</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice indignantly, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>arm</b>-<b>chair</b> <b>at</b> <b>one</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Have</b> <b>some</b> <b>wine</b>,” <b>the</b> March Hare <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>encouraging</b> <b>tone</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>looked</b> <b>all</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>, <b>but</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> <b>but</b> <b>tea</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b> <b>any</b> <b>wine</b>,” <b>she</b> remarked.<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>any</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> March Hare.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>it</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>very</b> civil <b>of</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>offer</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>angrily</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>very</b> civil <b>of</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>sit</b> <b>down</b> <b>without</b> <b>being</b> <b>invited</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> March Hare.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> YOUR <b>table</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice; “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>laid</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>many</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> <b>three</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Your</b> <b>hair</b> <b>wants</b> <b>cutting</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter. <b>He</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> Alice <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>with</b> <b>great</b> <b>curiosity</b>, <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>his</b> <b>first</b> <b>speech</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>should</b> <b>learn</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>personal</b> <b>remarks</b>,” Alice <b>said</b> <b>with</b> <b>some</b> severity; “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> rude.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Hatter <b>opened</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>very</b> <b>wide</b> <b>on</b> <b>hearing</b> <b>this</b>; <b>but</b> <b>all</b> <b>he</b> SAID <b>was</b>, “<b>Why</b> <b>is</b> <b>a</b> raven <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>writing</b>-desk?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>we</b> <b>shall</b> <b>have</b> <b>some</b> <b>fun</b> <b>now</b>!” <b>thought</b> Alice. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>glad</b> <b>they</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>begun</b> <b>asking</b> <b>riddles</b>.—<b>I</b> <b>believe</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>guess</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>added</b> <b>aloud</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b> <b>find</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>answer</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> March Hare.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Exactly</b> <b>so</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>you</b> <b>should</b> <b>say</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b>,” <b>the</b> March Hare <b>went</b> <b>on</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>do</b>,” Alice <b>hastily</b> <b>replied</b>; “<b>at</b> <b>least</b>—<b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>I</b> <b>mean</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>say</b>—<b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter. “<b>You</b> <b>might</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>say</b> <b>that</b> «<b>I</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>eat</b>» <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>as</b> «<b>I</b> <b>eat</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>see</b>»!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>might</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>say</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> March Hare, “<b>that</b> «<b>I</b> <b>like</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>get</b>» <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>as</b> «<b>I</b> <b>get</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>like</b>»!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>might</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>say</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse, <b>who</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>talking</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>sleep</b>, “<b>that</b> «<b>I</b> <b>breathe</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>sleep</b>» <b>is</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>as</b> «<b>I</b> <b>sleep</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>breathe</b>»!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>IS</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b> <b>with</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, <b>and</b> <b>here</b> <b>the</b> <b>conversation</b> <b>dropped</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>party</b> <b>sat</b> <b>silent</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b>, <b>while</b> Alice <b>thought</b> <b>over</b> <b>all</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>remember</b> <b>about</b> ravens <b>and</b> <b>writing</b>-desks, <b>which</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>much</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Hatter <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>to</b> <b>break</b> <b>the</b> <b>silence</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>day</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>month</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>said</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> Alice: <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>taken</b> <b>his</b> <b>watch</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>pocket</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b> <b>uneasily</b>, <b>shaking</b> <b>it</b> <b>every</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b>, <b>and</b> <b>holding</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>his</b> <b>ear</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>considered</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>said</b> “<b>The</b> <b>fourth</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Two</b> <b>days</b> <b>wrong</b>!” <b>sighed</b> <b>the</b> Hatter. “<b>I</b> <b>told</b> <b>you</b> <b>butter</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>suit</b> <b>the</b> <b>works</b>!” <b>he</b> <b>added</b> <b>looking</b> <b>angrily</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> March Hare.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> BEST <b>butter</b>,” <b>the</b> March Hare meekly <b>replied</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>but</b> <b>some</b> <b>crumbs</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>got</b> <b>in</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b>,” <b>the</b> Hatter grumbled: “<b>you</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>knife</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> March Hare <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>watch</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b> <b>gloomily</b>: <b>then</b> <b>he</b> <b>dipped</b> <b>it</b> <b>into</b> <b>his</b> <b>cup</b> <b>of</b> <b>tea</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>it</b> <b>again</b>: <b>but</b> <b>he</b> <b>could</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>better</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>than</b> <b>his</b> <b>first</b> <b>remark</b>, “<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> BEST <b>butter</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>looking</b> <b>over</b> <b>his</b> <b>shoulder</b> <b>with</b> <b>some</b> <b>curiosity</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>funny</b> <b>watch</b>!” <b>she</b> remarked. “<b>It</b> <b>tells</b> <b>the</b> <b>day</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>month</b>, <b>and</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>tell</b> <b>what</b> <b>o</b>'<b>clock</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b> <b>should</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>muttered</b> <b>the</b> Hatter. “Does YOUR <b>watch</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>what</b> <b>year</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>not</b>,” Alice <b>replied</b> <b>very</b> readily: “<b>but</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>because</b> <b>it</b> stays <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>year</b> <b>for</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>time</b> <b>together</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Which</b> <b>is</b> <b>just</b> <b>the</b> <b>case</b> <b>with</b> MINE,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>felt</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>puzzled</b>. <b>The</b> Hatter'<b>s</b> <b>remark</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>yet</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>certainly</b> English. “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>quite</b> <b>understand</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, <b>as</b> <b>politely</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> Dormouse <b>is</b> <b>asleep</b> <b>again</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>poured</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>hot</b> <b>tea</b> <b>upon</b> <b>its</b> <b>nose</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Dormouse <b>shook</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b> <b>impatiently</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, <b>without</b> <b>opening</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b>, “<b>Of</b> <b>course</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>; <b>just</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>remark</b> <b>myself</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Have</b> <b>you</b> <b>guessed</b> <b>the</b> <b>riddle</b> <b>yet</b>?” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>said</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> Alice <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>I</b> <b>give</b> <b>it</b> <b>up</b>,” Alice <b>replied</b>: “<b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>answer</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>the</b> slightest <b>idea</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nor</b> <b>I</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> March Hare.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>sighed</b> <b>wearily</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>might</b> <b>do</b> <b>something</b> <b>better</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>than</b> <b>waste</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>asking</b> <b>riddles</b> <b>that</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>answers</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>knew</b> <b>Time</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>I</b> <b>do</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, “<b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> wasting IT. <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> HIM.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b>!” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>said</b>, <b>tossing</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b> contemptuously. “<b>I</b> <b>dare</b> <b>say</b> <b>you</b> <b>never</b> <b>even</b> <b>spoke</b> <b>to</b> <b>Time</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Perhaps</b> <b>not</b>,” Alice <b>cautiously</b> <b>replied</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b> <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>beat</b> <b>time</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>learn</b> <b>music</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ah</b>! <b>that</b> <b>accounts</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter. “<b>He</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>stand</b> <b>beating</b>. <b>Now</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>only</b> <b>kept</b> <b>on</b> <b>good</b> <b>terms</b> <b>with</b> <b>him</b>, <b>he</b>'<b>d</b> <b>do</b> <b>almost</b> <b>anything</b> <b>you</b> <b>liked</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>clock</b>. <b>For</b> <b>instance</b>, <b>suppose</b> <b>it</b> <b>were</b> <b>nine</b> <b>o</b>'<b>clock</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>morning</b>, <b>just</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>lessons</b>: <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>only</b> <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>whisper</b> <b>a</b> <b>hint</b> <b>to</b> <b>Time</b>, <b>and</b> <b>round</b> <b>goes</b> <b>the</b> <b>clock</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>twinkling</b>! <b>Half</b>-<b>past</b> <b>one</b>, <b>time</b> <b>for</b> <b>dinner</b>!”<br>
|
||||
(`<b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>wish</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>,” <b>the</b> March Hare <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>whisper</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> grand, <b>certainly</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>thoughtfully</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>then</b>—<b>I</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>hungry</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b>, <b>perhaps</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter: “<b>but</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>keep</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>half</b>-<b>past</b> <b>one</b> <b>as</b> <b>long</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>liked</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Is</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> YOU <b>manage</b>?” Alice <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Hatter <b>shook</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b> <b>mournfully</b>. “<b>Not</b> <b>I</b>!” <b>he</b> <b>replied</b>. “<b>We</b> quarrelled <b>last</b> March—<b>just</b> <b>before</b> HE <b>went</b> <b>mad</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—” (<b>pointing</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>tea</b> <b>spoon</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> March Hare,) “—<b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>great</b> concert <b>given</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>of</b> Hearts, <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>sing</b><br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
«Twinkle, <b>twinkle</b>, <b>little</b> bat!<br>
|
||||
<b>How</b> <b>I</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>at</b>!»<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>You</b> <b>know</b> <b>the</b> <b>song</b>, <b>perhaps</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>heard</b> <b>something</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>goes</b> <b>on</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>continued</b>, “<b>in</b> <b>this</b> <b>way</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
«<b>Up</b> <b>above</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>you</b> <b>fly</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Like</b> <b>a</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>tray</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sky</b>.<br>
|
||||
Twinkle, <b>twinkle</b>—"“<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>shook</b> <b>itself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>singing</b> <b>in</b> <b>its</b> <b>sleep</b> “Twinkle, <b>twinkle</b>, <b>twinkle</b>, <b>twinkle</b>—” <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>so</b> <b>long</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>pinch</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>it</b> <b>stop</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>finished</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>verse</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, “<b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> bawled <b>out</b>, «<b>He</b>'<b>s</b> murdering <b>the</b> <b>time</b>! <b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>!"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>dreadfully</b> savage!” <b>exclaimed</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>ever</b> <b>since</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>mournful</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>he</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>do</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b> <b>I</b> <b>ask</b>! <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>always</b> <b>six</b> <b>o</b>'<b>clock</b> <b>now</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> <b>bright</b> <b>idea</b> <b>came</b> <b>into</b> Alice'<b>s</b> <b>head</b>. “<b>Is</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>things</b> <b>are</b> <b>put</b> <b>out</b> <b>here</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>sigh</b>: “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>always</b> <b>tea</b>-<b>time</b>, <b>and</b> <b>we</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>no</b> <b>time</b> <b>to</b> <b>wash</b> <b>the</b> <b>things</b> <b>between</b> <b>whiles</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>you</b> <b>keep</b> <b>moving</b> <b>round</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Exactly</b> <b>so</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter: “<b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>things</b> <b>get</b> <b>used</b> <b>up</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>what</b> <b>happens</b> <b>when</b> <b>you</b> <b>come</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>again</b>?” Alice ventured <b>to</b> <b>ask</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Suppose <b>we</b> <b>change</b> <b>the</b> <b>subject</b>,” <b>the</b> March Hare <b>interrupted</b>, <b>yawning</b>. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>getting</b> <b>tired</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b>. <b>I</b> <b>vote</b> <b>the</b> <b>young</b> <b>lady</b> <b>tells</b> <b>us</b> <b>a</b> <b>story</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>one</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>rather</b> <b>alarmed</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>proposal</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>shall</b>!” <b>they</b> <b>both</b> <b>cried</b>. “<b>Wake</b> <b>up</b>, Dormouse!” <b>And</b> <b>they</b> pinched <b>it</b> <b>on</b> <b>both</b> <b>sides</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Dormouse <b>slowly</b> <b>opened</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>asleep</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hoarse</b>, feeble <b>voice</b>: “<b>I</b> <b>heard</b> <b>every</b> <b>word</b> <b>you</b> <b>fellows</b> <b>were</b> <b>saying</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Tell</b> <b>us</b> <b>a</b> <b>story</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> March Hare.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>please</b> <b>do</b>!” pleaded Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>be</b> <b>quick</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, “<b>or</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>asleep</b> <b>again</b> <b>before</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>done</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Once</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> <b>time</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>three</b> <b>little</b> sisters,” <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>began</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>their</b> <b>names</b> <b>were</b> Elsie, Lacie, <b>and</b> Tillie; <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>lived</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottom</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>well</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>live</b> <b>on</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>who</b> <b>always</b> <b>took</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>interest</b> <b>in</b> <b>questions</b> <b>of</b> <b>eating</b> <b>and</b> <b>drinking</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>lived</b> <b>on</b> treacle,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse, <b>after</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>done</b> <b>that</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” Alice <b>gently</b> remarked; “<b>they</b>'<b>d</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>ill</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse; “<b>VERY</b> <b>ill</b>.”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>fancy</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>what</b> <b>such</b> <b>an</b> extraordinary <b>ways</b> <b>of</b> <b>living</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>like</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>her</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>: “<b>But</b> <b>why</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>live</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottom</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>well</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Take</b> <b>some</b> <b>more</b> <b>tea</b>,” <b>the</b> March Hare <b>said</b> <b>to</b> Alice, <b>very</b> <b>earnestly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>had</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>yet</b>,” Alice <b>replied</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>offended</b> <b>tone</b>, “<b>so</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>take</b> <b>more</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>mean</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>take</b> LESS,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter: “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>easy</b> <b>to</b> <b>take</b> MORE <b>than</b> <b>nothing</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“Nobody <b>asked</b> YOUR <b>opinion</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b>'<b>s</b> <b>making</b> <b>personal</b> <b>remarks</b> <b>now</b>?” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>asked</b> triumphantly.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>quite</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>to</b> <b>this</b>: <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>helped</b> <b>herself</b> <b>to</b> <b>some</b> <b>tea</b> <b>and</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>turned</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse, <b>and</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>her</b> <b>question</b>. “<b>Why</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>live</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottom</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>well</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Dormouse <b>again</b> <b>took</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> treacle-<b>well</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>such</b> <b>thing</b>!” Alice <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>very</b> <b>angrily</b>, <b>but</b> <b>the</b> Hatter <b>and</b> <b>the</b> March Hare <b>went</b> “Sh! <b>sh</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse sulkily remarked, “<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> civil, <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>finish</b> <b>the</b> <b>story</b> <b>for</b> <b>yourself</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>please</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b>!” Alice <b>said</b> <b>very</b> humbly; “<b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>interrupt</b> <b>again</b>. <b>I</b> <b>dare</b> <b>say</b> <b>there</b> <b>may</b> <b>be</b> ONE.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>One</b>, <b>indeed</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse indignantly. <b>However</b>, <b>he</b> consented <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b>. “<b>And</b> <b>so</b> <b>these</b> <b>three</b> <b>little</b> sisters—<b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>learning</b> <b>to</b> <b>draw</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>draw</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>quite</b> <b>forgetting</b> <b>her</b> <b>promise</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Treacle,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse, <b>without</b> <b>considering</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>want</b> <b>a</b> <b>clean</b> <b>cup</b>,” <b>interrupted</b> <b>the</b> Hatter: “<b>let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>move</b> <b>one</b> <b>place</b> <b>on</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>He</b> <b>moved</b> <b>on</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>followed</b> <b>him</b>: <b>the</b> March Hare <b>moved</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse'<b>s</b> <b>place</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>rather</b> unwillingly <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>place</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> March Hare. <b>The</b> Hatter <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>only</b> <b>one</b> <b>who</b> <b>got</b> <b>any</b> <b>advantage</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>change</b>: <b>and</b> Alice <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>worse</b> <b>off</b> <b>than</b> <b>before</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> March Hare <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>upset</b> <b>the</b> <b>milk</b>-<b>jug</b> <b>into</b> <b>his</b> plate.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>wish</b> <b>to</b> offend <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>again</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>very</b> <b>cautiously</b>: “<b>But</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>understand</b>. <b>Where</b> <b>did</b> <b>they</b> <b>draw</b> <b>the</b> treacle <b>from</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>can</b> <b>draw</b> <b>water</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>water</b>-<b>well</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter; “<b>so</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>could</b> <b>draw</b> treacle <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> treacle-<b>well</b>—<b>eh</b>, <b>stupid</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>IN</b> <b>the</b> <b>well</b>,” Alice <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse, <b>not</b> <b>choosing</b> <b>to</b> <b>notice</b> <b>this</b> <b>last</b> <b>remark</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b>', <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse; “—<b>well</b> <b>in</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>answer</b> <b>so</b> <b>confused</b> <b>poor</b> Alice, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>let</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>without</b> <b>interrupting</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>were</b> <b>learning</b> <b>to</b> <b>draw</b>,” <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>yawning</b> <b>and</b> <b>rubbing</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b>, <b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>getting</b> <b>very</b> <b>sleepy</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>drew</b> <b>all</b> <b>manner</b> <b>of</b> <b>things</b>—<b>everything</b> <b>that</b> <b>begins</b> <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>M</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b> <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>M</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b> <b>not</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> March Hare.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>silent</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Dormouse <b>had</b> <b>closed</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>off</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> doze; <b>but</b>, <b>on</b> <b>being</b> pinched <b>by</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, <b>it</b> <b>woke</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>shriek</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>: “—<b>that</b> <b>begins</b> <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>M</b>, <b>such</b> <b>as</b> mouse-<b>traps</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>moon</b>, <b>and</b> <b>memory</b>, <b>and</b> muchness— <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>you</b> <b>say</b> <b>things</b> <b>are</b> «<b>much</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> muchness"—<b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>ever</b> <b>see</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b> <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>drawing</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> muchness?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Really</b>, <b>now</b> <b>you</b> <b>ask</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>confused</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>you</b> <b>shouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter.<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>piece</b> <b>of</b> rudeness <b>was</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> Alice <b>could</b> <b>bear</b>: <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>great</b> <b>disgust</b>, <b>and</b> <b>walked</b> <b>off</b>; <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>fell</b> <b>asleep</b> <b>instantly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>neither</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>others</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>least</b> <b>notice</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>going</b>, <b>though</b> <b>she</b> <b>looked</b> <b>back</b> <b>once</b> <b>or</b> <b>twice</b>, <b>half</b> <b>hoping</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>would</b> <b>call</b> <b>after</b> <b>her</b>: <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>saw</b> <b>them</b>, <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>trying</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>into</b> <b>the</b> teapot.<br>
|
||||
“<b>At</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>never</b> <b>go</b> THERE <b>again</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>picked</b> <b>her</b> <b>way</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> <b>wood</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> stupidest <b>tea</b>-<b>party</b> <b>I</b> <b>ever</b> <b>was</b> <b>at</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>my</b> <b>life</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>Just</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b>, <b>she</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>that</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>door</b> <b>leading</b> <b>right</b> <b>into</b> <b>it</b>. “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>. “<b>But</b> <b>everything</b>'<b>s</b> <b>curious</b> <b>today</b>. <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>may</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>go</b> <b>in</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>in</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Once</b> <b>more</b> <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>long</b> <b>hall</b>, <b>and</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>glass</b> <b>table</b>. “<b>Now</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>manage</b> <b>better</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>by</b> <b>taking</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>golden</b> <b>key</b>, <b>and</b> unlocking <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>that</b> <b>led</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>. <b>Then</b> <b>she</b> <b>wet</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>nibbling</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> mushroom (<b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>kept</b> <b>a</b> <b>piece</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>pocked</b>) <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>about</b> <b>a</b> <b>foot</b> <b>high</b>: <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>down</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> <b>passage</b>: <b>and</b> THEN—<b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>beautiful</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>among</b> <b>the</b> <b>bright</b> <b>flower</b>-<b>beds</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>cool</b> <b>fountains</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> VIII<br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> QUEEN'<b>S</b> CROQUET-GROUND<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> <b>large</b> <b>rose</b>-<b>tree</b> <b>stood</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>entrance</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>: <b>the</b> roses <b>growing</b> <b>on</b> <b>it</b> <b>were</b> <b>white</b>, <b>but</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>three</b> gardeners <b>at</b> <b>it</b>, <b>busily</b> painting <b>them</b> <b>red</b>. Alice <b>thought</b> <b>this</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b> <b>thing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>nearer</b> <b>to</b> <b>watch</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>say</b>, “<b>Look</b> <b>out</b> <b>now</b>, <b>Five</b>! <b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>go</b> <b>splashing</b> paint <b>over</b> <b>me</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>help</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>Five</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> sulky <b>tone</b>; “<b>Seven</b> <b>jogged</b> <b>my</b> elbow.”<br>
|
||||
<b>On</b> <b>which</b> <b>Seven</b> <b>looked</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>right</b>, <b>Five</b>! <b>Always</b> <b>lay</b> <b>the</b> <b>blame</b> <b>on</b> <b>others</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“YOU'<b>D</b> <b>better</b> <b>not</b> <b>talk</b>!'<b>said</b> <b>Five</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>say</b> <b>only</b> <b>yesterday</b> <b>you</b> deserved <b>to</b> <b>be</b> beheaded!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>for</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>one</b> <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>spoken</b> <b>first</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>none</b> <b>of</b> YOUR <b>business</b>, <b>Two</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Seven</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>it</b> <b>IS</b> <b>his</b> <b>business</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>Five</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>tell</b> <b>him</b>—<b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>for</b> <b>bringing</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> tulip-<b>roots</b> <b>instead</b> <b>of</b> onions.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Seven</b> <b>flung</b> <b>down</b> <b>his</b> <b>brush</b>, <b>and</b> <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>begun</b> “<b>Well</b>, <b>of</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> unjust <b>things</b>—” <b>when</b> <b>his</b> <b>eye</b> <b>chanced</b> <b>to</b> <b>fall</b> <b>upon</b> Alice, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>stood</b> <b>watching</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>checked</b> <b>himself</b> <b>suddenly</b>: <b>the</b> <b>others</b> <b>looked</b> <b>round</b> <b>also</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>bowed</b> <b>low</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Would</b> <b>you</b> <b>tell</b> <b>me</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>a</b> <b>little</b> timidly, “<b>why</b> <b>you</b> <b>are</b> painting <b>those</b> roses?”<br>
|
||||
<b>Five</b> <b>and</b> <b>Seven</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>, <b>but</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>Two</b>. <b>Two</b> <b>began</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>Why</b> <b>the</b> <b>fact</b> <b>is</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>Miss</b>, <b>this</b> <b>here</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>a</b> RED <b>rose</b>-<b>tree</b>, <b>and</b> <b>we</b> <b>put</b> <b>a</b> <b>white</b> <b>one</b> <b>in</b> <b>by</b> <b>mistake</b>; <b>and</b> <b>if</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>was</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b>, <b>we</b> <b>should</b> <b>all</b> <b>have</b> <b>our</b> <b>heads</b> <b>cut</b> <b>off</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>So</b> <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>Miss</b>, <b>we</b>'<b>re</b> <b>doing</b> <b>our</b> <b>best</b>, afore <b>she</b> <b>comes</b>, <b>to</b>—” <b>At</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b> <b>Five</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>looking</b> <b>across</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>called</b> <b>out</b> “<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b>! <b>The</b> <b>Queen</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> gardeners <b>instantly</b> <b>threw</b> <b>themselves</b> <b>flat</b> <b>upon</b> <b>their</b> <b>faces</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>sound</b> <b>of</b> <b>many</b> <b>footsteps</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>looked</b> <b>round</b>, <b>eager</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>First</b> <b>came</b> <b>ten</b> soldiers <b>carrying</b> clubs; <b>these</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>shaped</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> gardeners, <b>oblong</b> <b>and</b> <b>flat</b>, <b>with</b> <b>their</b> <b>hands</b> <b>and</b> <b>feet</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>corners</b>: <b>next</b> <b>the</b> <b>ten</b> courtiers; <b>these</b> <b>were</b> ornamented <b>all</b> <b>over</b> <b>with</b> <b>diamonds</b>, <b>and</b> <b>walked</b> <b>two</b> <b>and</b> <b>two</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> soldiers <b>did</b>. <b>After</b> <b>these</b> <b>came</b> <b>the</b> royal <b>children</b>; <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>ten</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>little</b> dears <b>came</b> <b>jumping</b> <b>merrily</b> <b>along</b> <b>hand</b> <b>in</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>in</b> couples: <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> ornamented <b>with</b> <b>hearts</b>. <b>Next</b> <b>came</b> <b>the</b> <b>guests</b>, <b>mostly</b> <b>Kings</b> <b>and</b> Queens, <b>and</b> <b>among</b> <b>them</b> Alice recognised <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit: <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>talking</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurried</b> nervous <b>manner</b>, <b>smiling</b> <b>at</b> <b>everything</b> <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>said</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>by</b> <b>without</b> <b>noticing</b> <b>her</b>. <b>Then</b> <b>followed</b> <b>the</b> Knave <b>of</b> Hearts, <b>carrying</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>'<b>s</b> <b>crown</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> crimson velvet cushion; <b>and</b>, <b>last</b> <b>of</b> <b>all</b> <b>this</b> grand procession, <b>came</b> <b>THE</b> KING AND QUEEN <b>OF</b> HEARTS.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>rather</b> <b>doubtful</b> <b>whether</b> <b>she</b> <b>ought</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>lie</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> gardeners, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>remember</b> <b>every</b> <b>having</b> <b>heard</b> <b>of</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>rule</b> <b>at</b> processions; “<b>and</b> <b>besides</b>, <b>what</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>the</b> <b>use</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> procession,” <b>thought</b> <b>she</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>people</b> <b>had</b> <b>all</b> <b>to</b> <b>lie</b> <b>down</b> <b>upon</b> <b>their</b> <b>faces</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>stood</b> <b>still</b> <b>where</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b>, <b>and</b> <b>waited</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>When</b> <b>the</b> procession <b>came</b> <b>opposite</b> <b>to</b> Alice, <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>stopped</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>said</b> severely “<b>Who</b> <b>is</b> <b>this</b>?” <b>She</b> <b>said</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Knave <b>of</b> Hearts, <b>who</b> <b>only</b> <b>bowed</b> <b>and</b> <b>smiled</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Idiot!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>tossing</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>impatiently</b>; <b>and</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> Alice, <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>What</b>'<b>s</b> <b>your</b> <b>name</b>, <b>child</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>My</b> <b>name</b> <b>is</b> Alice, <b>so</b> <b>please</b> <b>your</b> Majesty,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>; <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>added</b>, <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>Why</b>, <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>only</b> <b>a</b> <b>pack</b> <b>of</b> cards, <b>after</b> <b>all</b>. <b>I</b> <b>needn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>who</b> <b>are</b> THESE?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>pointing</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> gardeners <b>who</b> <b>were</b> <b>lying</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> rosetree; <b>for</b>, <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>lying</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>faces</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>pattern</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>backs</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>pack</b>, <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>tell</b> <b>whether</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> gardeners, <b>or</b> soldiers, <b>or</b> courtiers, <b>or</b> <b>three</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>children</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>should</b> <b>I</b> <b>know</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>surprised</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>courage</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>business</b> <b>of</b> MINE.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>turned</b> crimson <b>with</b> <b>fury</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>after</b> glaring <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>wild</b> <b>beast</b>, <b>screamed</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>! <b>Off</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nonsense</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>very</b> <b>loudly</b> <b>and</b> decidedly, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>was</b> <b>silent</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b> <b>laid</b> <b>his</b> <b>hand</b> <b>upon</b> <b>her</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>and</b> timidly <b>said</b> “<b>Consider</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>: <b>she</b> <b>is</b> <b>only</b> <b>a</b> <b>child</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>turned</b> <b>angrily</b> <b>away</b> <b>from</b> <b>him</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Knave “<b>Turn</b> <b>them</b> <b>over</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Knave <b>did</b> <b>so</b>, <b>very</b> <b>carefully</b>, <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>foot</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Get</b> <b>up</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>shrill</b>, <b>loud</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>three</b> gardeners <b>instantly</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>bowing</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>the</b> royal <b>children</b>, <b>and</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>else</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Leave</b> <b>off</b> <b>that</b>!” <b>screamed</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>. “<b>You</b> <b>make</b> <b>me</b> giddy.” <b>And</b> <b>then</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>rose</b>-<b>tree</b>, <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>What</b> HAVE <b>you</b> <b>been</b> <b>doing</b> <b>here</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>May</b> <b>it</b> <b>please</b> <b>your</b> Majesty,” <b>said</b> <b>Two</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> humble <b>tone</b>, <b>going</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b> knee <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>, “<b>we</b> <b>were</b> <b>trying</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>see</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>meanwhile</b> <b>been</b> examining <b>the</b> roses. “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> procession <b>moved</b> <b>on</b>, <b>three</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> soldiers <b>remaining</b> <b>behind</b> <b>to</b> execute <b>the</b> <b>unfortunate</b> gardeners, <b>who</b> <b>ran</b> <b>to</b> Alice <b>for</b> <b>protection</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> beheaded!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>put</b> <b>them</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>flower</b>-<b>pot</b> <b>that</b> <b>stood</b> <b>near</b>. <b>The</b> <b>three</b> soldiers <b>wandered</b> <b>about</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>quietly</b> <b>marched</b> <b>off</b> <b>after</b> <b>the</b> <b>others</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Are</b> <b>their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>off</b>?” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Their</b> <b>heads</b> <b>are</b> <b>gone</b>, <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>please</b> <b>your</b> Majesty!” <b>the</b> soldiers <b>shouted</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>right</b>!” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>. “<b>Can</b> <b>you</b> <b>play</b> croquet?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> soldiers <b>were</b> <b>silent</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> Alice, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>question</b> <b>was</b> <b>evidently</b> <b>meant</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>!” <b>shouted</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b> <b>on</b>, <b>then</b>!” <b>roared</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>joined</b> <b>the</b> procession, <b>wondering</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>what</b> <b>would</b> <b>happen</b> <b>next</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b>—<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>fine</b> <b>day</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>a</b> <b>timid</b> <b>voice</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>side</b>. <b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>walking</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>peeping</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Very</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice: “—<b>where</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> Duchess?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hush</b>! <b>Hush</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b>, <b>hurried</b> <b>tone</b>. <b>He</b> <b>looked</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>over</b> <b>his</b> <b>shoulder</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>raised</b> <b>himself</b> <b>upon</b> tiptoe, <b>put</b> <b>his</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>ear</b>, <b>and</b> <b>whispered</b> “<b>She</b>'<b>s</b> <b>under</b> sentence <b>of</b> execution.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>for</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Did</b> <b>you</b> <b>say</b> «<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>pity</b>!»?” <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice: “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>a</b> <b>pity</b>. <b>I</b> <b>said</b> «<b>What</b> <b>for</b>?"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>She</b> boxed <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>ears</b>—” <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>began</b>. Alice <b>gave</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>scream</b> <b>of</b> <b>laughter</b>. “<b>Oh</b>, <b>hush</b>!” <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>whispered</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>tone</b>. “<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>will</b> <b>hear</b> <b>you</b>! <b>You</b> <b>see</b>, <b>she</b> <b>came</b> <b>rather</b> <b>late</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>said</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Get</b> <b>to</b> <b>your</b> <b>places</b>!” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>voice</b> <b>of</b> <b>thunder</b>, <b>and</b> <b>people</b> <b>began</b> <b>running</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>directions</b>, <b>tumbling</b> <b>up</b> <b>against</b> <b>each</b> <b>other</b>; <b>however</b>, <b>they</b> <b>got</b> <b>settled</b> <b>down</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b> <b>began</b>. Alice <b>thought</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>seen</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> croquet-<b>ground</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>life</b>; <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>ridges</b> <b>and</b> furrows; <b>the</b> <b>balls</b> <b>were</b> <b>live</b> hedgehogs, <b>the</b> mallets <b>live</b> flamingoes, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> soldiers <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>double</b> <b>themselves</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>to</b> <b>stand</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>hands</b> <b>and</b> <b>feet</b>, <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>the</b> <b>arches</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>chief</b> <b>difficulty</b> Alice <b>found</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> managing <b>her</b> flamingo: <b>she</b> <b>succeeded</b> <b>in</b> <b>getting</b> <b>its</b> <b>body</b> <b>tucked</b> <b>away</b>, <b>comfortably</b> <b>enough</b>, <b>under</b> <b>her</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>legs</b> <b>hanging</b> <b>down</b>, <b>but</b> <b>generally</b>, <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>its</b> <b>neck</b> nicely <b>straightened</b> <b>out</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>give</b> <b>the</b> hedgehog <b>a</b> <b>blow</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b>, <b>it</b> WOULD twist <b>itself</b> <b>round</b> <b>and</b> <b>look</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>, <b>with</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>expression</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>help</b> bursting <b>out</b> <b>laughing</b>: <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>got</b> <b>its</b> <b>head</b> <b>down</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>again</b>, <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>very</b> provoking <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> hedgehog <b>had</b> unrolled <b>itself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> act <b>of</b> <b>crawling</b> <b>away</b>: <b>besides</b> <b>all</b> <b>this</b>, <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>generally</b> <b>a</b> <b>ridge</b> <b>or</b> furrow <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>wherever</b> <b>she</b> <b>wanted</b> <b>to</b> <b>send</b> <b>the</b> hedgehog <b>to</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>doubled</b>-<b>up</b> soldiers <b>were</b> <b>always</b> <b>getting</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>walking</b> <b>off</b> <b>to</b> <b>other</b> <b>parts</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b>, Alice <b>soon</b> <b>came</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>conclusion</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>difficult</b> <b>game</b> <b>indeed</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> players <b>all</b> <b>played</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>without</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>for</b> <b>turns</b>, <b>quarrelling</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>while</b>, <b>and</b> <b>fighting</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> hedgehogs; <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>short</b> <b>time</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> furious <b>passion</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>stamping</b> <b>about</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shouting</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>or</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>about</b> <b>once</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>feel</b> <b>very</b> <b>uneasy</b>: <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>sure</b>, <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>as</b> <b>yet</b> <b>had</b> <b>any</b> dispute <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>happen</b> <b>any</b> <b>minute</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>then</b>,” <b>thought</b> <b>she</b>, “<b>what</b> <b>would</b> <b>become</b> <b>of</b> <b>me</b>? <b>They</b>'<b>re</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>fond</b> <b>of</b> beheading <b>people</b> <b>here</b>; <b>the</b> <b>great</b> <b>wonder</b> <b>is</b>, <b>that</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>any</b> <b>one</b> <b>left</b> <b>alive</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>looking</b> <b>about</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>escape</b>, <b>and</b> <b>wondering</b> <b>whether</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>get</b> <b>away</b> <b>without</b> <b>being</b> <b>seen</b>, <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>appearance</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>: <b>it</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>her</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b>, <b>but</b>, <b>after</b> <b>watching</b> <b>it</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b>, <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>grin</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> Cheshire Cat: <b>now</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>have</b> <b>somebody</b> <b>to</b> <b>talk</b> <b>to</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>are</b> <b>you</b> <b>getting</b> <b>on</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat, <b>as</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>enough</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b> <b>with</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>waited</b> <b>till</b> <b>the</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>appeared</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>nodded</b>. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>speaking</b> <b>to</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, “<b>till</b> <b>its</b> <b>ears</b> <b>have</b> <b>come</b>, <b>or</b> <b>at</b> <b>least</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>.” <b>In</b> <b>another</b> <b>minute</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>head</b> <b>appeared</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> Alice <b>put</b> <b>down</b> <b>her</b> flamingo, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>an</b> <b>account</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>, <b>feeling</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>someone</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>. <b>The</b> Cat <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b> <b>that</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>enough</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>now</b> <b>in</b> <b>sight</b>, <b>and</b> <b>no</b> <b>more</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>appeared</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b> <b>they</b> <b>play</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>fairly</b>,” Alice <b>began</b>, <b>in</b> <b>rather</b> <b>a</b> complaining <b>tone</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>quarrel</b> <b>so</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>one</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>hear</b> oneself <b>speak</b>—<b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>any</b> <b>rules</b> <b>in</b> <b>particular</b>; <b>at</b> <b>least</b>, <b>if</b> <b>there</b> <b>are</b>, <b>nobody</b> attends <b>to</b> <b>them</b>—<b>and</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>no</b> <b>idea</b> <b>how</b> confusing <b>it</b> <b>is</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>things</b> <b>being</b> <b>alive</b>; <b>for</b> <b>instance</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>arch</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>through</b> <b>next</b> <b>walking</b> <b>about</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b>—<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>have</b> croqueted <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> hedgehog <b>just</b> <b>now</b>, <b>only</b> <b>it</b> <b>ran</b> <b>away</b> <b>when</b> <b>it</b> <b>saw</b> <b>mine</b> <b>coming</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Cat <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice: “<b>she</b>'<b>s</b> <b>so</b> <b>extremely</b>—” <b>Just</b> <b>then</b> <b>she</b> <b>noticed</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>was</b> <b>close</b> <b>behind</b> <b>her</b>, <b>listening</b>: <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “—<b>likely</b> <b>to</b> <b>win</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>worth</b> <b>while</b> <b>finishing</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>smiled</b> <b>and</b> <b>passed</b> <b>on</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b> ARE <b>you</b> <b>talking</b> <b>to</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>going</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> Alice, <b>and</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Cat'<b>s</b> <b>head</b> <b>with</b> <b>great</b> <b>curiosity</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>friend</b> <b>of</b> <b>mine</b>—<b>a</b> Cheshire Cat,” <b>said</b> Alice: “<b>allow</b> <b>me</b> <b>to</b> introduce <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>: “<b>however</b>, <b>it</b> <b>may</b> kiss <b>my</b> <b>hand</b> <b>if</b> <b>it</b> <b>likes</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>rather</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>the</b> Cat remarked.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> impertinent,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>me</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!” <b>He</b> <b>got</b> <b>behind</b> Alice <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>cat</b> <b>may</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>a</b> <b>king</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>read</b> <b>that</b> <b>in</b> <b>some</b> <b>book</b>, <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b> <b>where</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>it</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>removed</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>very</b> decidedly, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>called</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>passing</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b>, “<b>My</b> <b>dear</b>! <b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>this</b> <b>cat</b> <b>removed</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>had</b> <b>only</b> <b>one</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>settling</b> <b>all</b> <b>difficulties</b>, <b>great</b> <b>or</b> <b>small</b>. “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, <b>without</b> <b>even</b> <b>looking</b> <b>round</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>fetch</b> <b>the</b> executioner <b>myself</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>eagerly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>thought</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>go</b> <b>back</b>, <b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>how</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>voice</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>, <b>screaming</b> <b>with</b> <b>passion</b>. <b>She</b> <b>had</b> <b>already</b> <b>heard</b> <b>her</b> sentence <b>three</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> players <b>to</b> <b>be</b> executed <b>for</b> <b>having</b> <b>missed</b> <b>their</b> <b>turns</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b> <b>of</b> <b>things</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>, <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b> <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>such</b> <b>confusion</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>never</b> <b>knew</b> <b>whether</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>her</b> <b>turn</b> <b>or</b> <b>not</b>. <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>in</b> <b>search</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> hedgehog.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> hedgehog <b>was</b> engaged <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>fight</b> <b>with</b> <b>another</b> hedgehog, <b>which</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> Alice <b>an</b> <b>excellent</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>for</b> croqueting <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>: <b>the</b> <b>only</b> <b>difficulty</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>her</b> flamingo <b>was</b> <b>gone</b> <b>across</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>where</b> Alice <b>could</b> <b>see</b> <b>it</b> <b>trying</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>helpless</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>way</b> <b>to</b> <b>fly</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>tree</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>By</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>caught</b> <b>the</b> flamingo <b>and</b> <b>brought</b> <b>it</b> <b>back</b>, <b>the</b> <b>fight</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b>, <b>and</b> <b>both</b> <b>the</b> hedgehogs <b>were</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>: “<b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>matter</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, “<b>as</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>arches</b> <b>are</b> <b>gone</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b>.” <b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>tucked</b> <b>it</b> <b>away</b> <b>under</b> <b>her</b> <b>arm</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>not</b> <b>escape</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>back</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>more</b> <b>conversation</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>friend</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>When</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Cheshire Cat, <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>surprised</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>crowd</b> <b>collected</b> <b>round</b> <b>it</b>: <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> dispute <b>going</b> <b>on</b> <b>between</b> <b>the</b> executioner, <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>who</b> <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>talking</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>while</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>were</b> <b>quite</b> <b>silent</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>very</b> <b>uncomfortable</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>moment</b> Alice <b>appeared</b>, <b>she</b> <b>was</b> appealed <b>to</b> <b>by</b> <b>all</b> <b>three</b> <b>to</b> <b>settle</b> <b>the</b> <b>question</b>, <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>their</b> arguments <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, <b>though</b>, <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>all</b> <b>spoke</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>, <b>she</b> <b>found</b> <b>it</b> <b>very</b> <b>hard</b> <b>indeed</b> <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>exactly</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b> <b>said</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> executioner'<b>s</b> <b>argument</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>cut</b> <b>off</b> <b>a</b> <b>head</b> <b>unless</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>body</b> <b>to</b> <b>cut</b> <b>it</b> <b>off</b> <b>from</b>: <b>that</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>thing</b> <b>before</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>going</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>at</b> HIS <b>time</b> <b>of</b> <b>life</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b>'<b>s</b> <b>argument</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>anything</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>head</b> <b>could</b> <b>be</b> beheaded, <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>weren</b>'<b>t</b> <b>to</b> <b>talk</b> <b>nonsense</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>argument</b> <b>was</b>, <b>that</b> <b>if</b> <b>something</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>done</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>less</b> <b>than</b> <b>no</b> <b>time</b> <b>she</b>'<b>d</b> <b>have</b> <b>everybody</b> executed, <b>all</b> <b>round</b>. (<b>It</b> <b>was</b> <b>this</b> <b>last</b> <b>remark</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>made</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>party</b> <b>look</b> <b>so</b> <b>grave</b> <b>and</b> <b>anxious</b>.)<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>could</b> <b>think</b> <b>of</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>else</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>but</b> “<b>It</b> <b>belongs</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Duchess: <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>ask</b> HER <b>about</b> <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>She</b>'<b>s</b> <b>in</b> <b>prison</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> executioner: “<b>fetch</b> <b>her</b> <b>here</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>the</b> executioner <b>went</b> <b>off</b> <b>like</b> <b>an</b> <b>arrow</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Cat'<b>s</b> <b>head</b> <b>began</b> <b>fading</b> <b>away</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>gone</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>disappeared</b>; <b>so</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>and</b> <b>the</b> executioner <b>ran</b> <b>wildly</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>down</b> <b>looking</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>, <b>while</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>party</b> <b>went</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> IX<br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> MOCK TURTLE'<b>S</b> STORY<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b> <b>glad</b> <b>I</b> <b>am</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>you</b> <b>again</b>, <b>you</b> <b>dear</b> <b>old</b> <b>thing</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>tucked</b> <b>her</b> <b>arm</b> affectionately <b>into</b> Alice'<b>s</b>, <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>walked</b> <b>off</b> <b>together</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>her</b> <b>in</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>pleasant</b> <b>temper</b>, <b>and</b> <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>that</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>only</b> <b>the</b> pepper <b>that</b> <b>had</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>so</b> savage <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>met</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>kitchen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>When</b> <b>I</b>'<b>M</b> <b>a</b> Duchess,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, (<b>not</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>hopeful</b> <b>tone</b> <b>though</b>), “<b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>any</b> pepper <b>in</b> <b>my</b> <b>kitchen</b> <b>AT</b> ALL. Soup <b>does</b> <b>very</b> <b>well</b> <b>without</b>—<b>Maybe</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>always</b> pepper <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>people</b> <b>hot</b>-<b>tempered</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>at</b> <b>having</b> <b>found</b> <b>out</b> <b>a</b> <b>new</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>rule</b>, “<b>and</b> vinegar <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>them</b> <b>sour</b>—<b>and</b> camomile <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>them</b> <b>bitter</b>—<b>and</b>—<b>and</b> barley-sugar <b>and</b> <b>such</b> <b>things</b> <b>that</b> <b>make</b> <b>children</b> <b>sweet</b>-<b>tempered</b>. <b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>wish</b> <b>people</b> <b>knew</b> <b>that</b>: <b>then</b> <b>they</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>so</b> stingy <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—”<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>had</b> <b>quite</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>the</b> Duchess <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>startled</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>heard</b> <b>her</b> <b>voice</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>ear</b>. “<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>about</b> <b>something</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>you</b> <b>forget</b> <b>to</b> <b>talk</b>. <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>just</b> <b>now</b> <b>what</b> <b>the</b> moral <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>, <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>shall</b> <b>remember</b> <b>it</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Perhaps</b> <b>it</b> <b>hasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>one</b>,” Alice ventured <b>to</b> <b>remark</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Tut, tut, <b>child</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess. “<b>Everything</b>'<b>s</b> <b>got</b> <b>a</b> moral, <b>if</b> <b>only</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b> <b>find</b> <b>it</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>she</b> <b>squeezed</b> <b>herself</b> <b>up</b> <b>closer</b> <b>to</b> Alice'<b>s</b> <b>side</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>much</b> <b>like</b> <b>keeping</b> <b>so</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>: <b>first</b>, <b>because</b> <b>the</b> Duchess <b>was</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>ugly</b>; <b>and</b> secondly, <b>because</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>exactly</b> <b>the</b> <b>right</b> <b>height</b> <b>to</b> <b>rest</b> <b>her</b> <b>chin</b> <b>upon</b> Alice'<b>s</b> <b>shoulder</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>uncomfortably</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>chin</b>. <b>However</b>, <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> rude, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>bore</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>game</b>'<b>s</b> <b>going</b> <b>on</b> <b>rather</b> <b>better</b> <b>now</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b>, <b>by</b> <b>way</b> <b>of</b> <b>keeping</b> <b>up</b> <b>the</b> <b>conversation</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b>.<br>
|
||||
“'Tis <b>so</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess: “<b>and</b> <b>the</b> moral <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>Oh</b>, '<b>tis</b> <b>love</b>, '<b>tis</b> <b>love</b>, <b>that</b> <b>makes</b> <b>the</b> <b>world</b> <b>go</b> <b>round</b>!"“<br>
|
||||
“Somebody <b>said</b>,” Alice <b>whispered</b>, “<b>that</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>done</b> <b>by</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>minding</b> <b>their</b> <b>own</b> <b>business</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ah</b>, <b>well</b>! <b>It</b> <b>means</b> <b>much</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>thing</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess, <b>digging</b> <b>her</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>little</b> <b>chin</b> <b>into</b> Alice'<b>s</b> <b>shoulder</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>added</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>the</b> moral <b>of</b> THAT <b>is</b>—"<b>Take</b> <b>care</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sense</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>sounds</b> <b>will</b> <b>take</b> <b>care</b> <b>of</b> <b>themselves</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>fond</b> <b>she</b> <b>is</b> <b>of</b> <b>finding</b> morals <b>in</b> <b>things</b>!” Alice <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>dare</b> <b>say</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>wondering</b> <b>why</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>put</b> <b>my</b> <b>arm</b> <b>round</b> <b>your</b> <b>waist</b>,” <b>the</b> Duchess <b>said</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>pause</b>: “<b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>is</b>, <b>that</b> <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>doubtful</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>temper</b> <b>of</b> <b>your</b> flamingo. <b>Shall</b> <b>I</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> experiment?”<br>
|
||||
“HE <b>might</b> <b>bite</b>,” Alice <b>cautiously</b> <b>replied</b>, <b>not</b> <b>feeling</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>anxious</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>the</b> experiment <b>tried</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Very</b> <b>true</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess: “flamingoes <b>and</b> mustard <b>both</b> <b>bite</b>. <b>And</b> <b>the</b> moral <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>Birds</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>feather</b> <b>flock</b> <b>together</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Only</b> mustard <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>a</b> <b>bird</b>,” Alice remarked.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Right</b>, <b>as</b> <b>usual</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess: “<b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>clear</b> <b>way</b> <b>you</b> <b>have</b> <b>of</b> <b>putting</b> <b>things</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> mineral, <b>I</b> THINK,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess, <b>who</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>agree</b> <b>to</b> <b>everything</b> <b>that</b> Alice <b>said</b>; “<b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> mustard-<b>mine</b> <b>near</b> <b>here</b>. <b>And</b> <b>the</b> moral <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>The</b> <b>more</b> <b>there</b> <b>is</b> <b>of</b> <b>mine</b>, <b>the</b> <b>less</b> <b>there</b> <b>is</b> <b>of</b> <b>yours</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b> <b>know</b>!” <b>exclaimed</b> Alice, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> attended <b>to</b> <b>this</b> <b>last</b> <b>remark</b>, “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> vegetable. <b>It</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>look</b> <b>like</b> <b>one</b>, <b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>quite</b> <b>agree</b> <b>with</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess; “<b>and</b> <b>the</b> moral <b>of</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b>—"<b>Be</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>would</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b>"—<b>or</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b> <b>put</b> <b>more</b> <b>simply</b>—"<b>Never</b> <b>imagine</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>not</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>otherwise</b> <b>than</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>might</b> <b>appear</b> <b>to</b> <b>others</b> <b>that</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>or</b> <b>might</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>was</b> <b>not</b> <b>otherwise</b> <b>than</b> <b>what</b> <b>you</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>appeared</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>otherwise</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>understand</b> <b>that</b> <b>better</b>,” Alice <b>said</b> <b>very</b> <b>politely</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>it</b> <b>written</b> <b>down</b>: <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>quite</b> <b>follow</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>say</b> <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>to</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>say</b> <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>chose</b>,” <b>the</b> Duchess <b>replied</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>tone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Pray</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>trouble</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>it</b> <b>any</b> <b>longer</b> <b>than</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>about</b> <b>trouble</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess. “<b>I</b> <b>make</b> <b>you</b> <b>a</b> <b>present</b> <b>of</b> <b>everything</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>said</b> <b>as</b> <b>yet</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> cheap <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>present</b>!” <b>thought</b> Alice. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>glad</b> <b>they</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>give</b> <b>birthday</b> <b>presents</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b>!” <b>But</b> <b>she</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>venture</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>loud</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Thinking <b>again</b>?” <b>the</b> Duchess <b>asked</b>, <b>with</b> <b>another</b> <b>dig</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>sharp</b> <b>little</b> <b>chin</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>a</b> <b>right</b> <b>to</b> <b>think</b>” <b>said</b> Alice <b>sharply</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>feel</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>worried</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Just</b> <b>about</b> <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>right</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Duchess, “<b>as</b> pigs <b>have</b> <b>to</b> <b>fly</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>m</b>—”<br>
|
||||
<b>But</b> <b>here</b>, <b>to</b> Alice'<b>s</b> <b>great</b> <b>surprise</b>, <b>the</b> Duchess'<b>s</b> <b>voice</b> <b>died</b> <b>away</b>, <b>even</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>middle</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>favourite</b> <b>word</b> “moral,” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>arm</b> <b>that</b> <b>was</b> linked <b>into</b> <b>hers</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>tremble</b>. Alice <b>looked</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>stood</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>in</b> <b>front</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b>, <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>arms</b> <b>folded</b>, <b>frowning</b> <b>like</b> <b>a</b> <b>thunderstorm</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>A</b> <b>fine</b> <b>day</b>, <b>your</b> Majesty!” <b>the</b> Duchess <b>began</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b>, <b>weak</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Now</b>, <b>I</b> <b>give</b> <b>you</b> <b>fair</b> <b>warning</b>,” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>stamping</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>ground</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>; “<b>either</b> <b>you</b> <b>or</b> <b>your</b> <b>head</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>in</b> <b>about</b> <b>half</b> <b>no</b> <b>time</b>! <b>Take</b> <b>your</b> <b>choice</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Duchess <b>took</b> <b>her</b> <b>choice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>gone</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> Alice; <b>and</b> Alice <b>was</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b> <b>frightened</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>a</b> <b>word</b>, <b>but</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>followed</b> <b>her</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> croquet-<b>ground</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>other</b> <b>guests</b> <b>had</b> <b>taken</b> <b>advantage</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>absence</b>, <b>and</b> <b>were</b> <b>resting</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>shade</b>: <b>however</b>, <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>they</b> <b>saw</b> <b>her</b>, <b>they</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>game</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>merely</b> remarking <b>that</b> <b>a</b> <b>moment</b>'<b>s</b> <b>delay</b> <b>would</b> <b>cost</b> <b>them</b> <b>their</b> <b>lives</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>All</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>playing</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>never</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>quarrelling</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> players, <b>and</b> <b>shouting</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>or</b> “<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>Those</b> <b>whom</b> <b>she</b> sentenced <b>were</b> <b>taken</b> <b>into</b> custody <b>by</b> <b>the</b> soldiers, <b>who</b> <b>of</b> <b>course</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>leave</b> <b>off</b> <b>being</b> <b>arches</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>this</b>, <b>so</b> <b>that</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>half</b> <b>an</b> <b>hour</b> <b>or</b> <b>so</b> <b>there</b> <b>were</b> <b>no</b> <b>arches</b> <b>left</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> players, <b>except</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>and</b> Alice, <b>were</b> <b>in</b> custody <b>and</b> <b>under</b> sentence <b>of</b> execution.<br>
|
||||
<b>Then</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b>, <b>quite</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>breath</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> Alice, “<b>Have</b> <b>you</b> <b>seen</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>yet</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice. “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>even</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>a</b> Mock Turtle <b>is</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>thing</b> Mock Turtle Soup <b>is</b> <b>made</b> <b>from</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>saw</b> <b>one</b>, <b>or</b> <b>heard</b> <b>of</b> <b>one</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b> <b>on</b>, <b>then</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>shall</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>his</b> <b>history</b>,”<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>they</b> <b>walked</b> <b>off</b> <b>together</b>, Alice <b>heard</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>say</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>company</b> <b>generally</b>, “<b>You</b> <b>are</b> <b>all</b> pardoned.” “<b>Come</b>, THAT'<b>S</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>thing</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>felt</b> <b>quite</b> <b>unhappy</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>number</b> <b>of</b> executions <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>had</b> <b>ordered</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>They</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>came</b> <b>upon</b> <b>a</b> Gryphon, <b>lying</b> <b>fast</b> <b>asleep</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sun</b>. (IF <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>a</b> Gryphon <b>is</b>, <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>picture</b>.) “<b>Up</b>, lazy <b>thing</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>take</b> <b>this</b> <b>young</b> <b>lady</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle, <b>and</b> <b>to</b> <b>hear</b> <b>his</b> <b>history</b>. <b>I</b> <b>must</b> <b>go</b> <b>back</b> <b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>after</b> <b>some</b> executions <b>I</b> <b>have</b> <b>ordered</b>'; <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>walked</b> <b>off</b>, <b>leaving</b> Alice <b>alone</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon. Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>quite</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> <b>look</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>creature</b>, <b>but</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>quite</b> <b>as</b> <b>safe</b> <b>to</b> <b>stay</b> <b>with</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>go</b> <b>after</b> <b>that</b> savage <b>Queen</b>: <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>waited</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Gryphon <b>sat</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>rubbed</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyes</b>: <b>then</b> <b>it</b> <b>watched</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>: <b>then</b> <b>it</b> <b>chuckled</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>fun</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>half</b> <b>to</b> <b>itself</b>, <b>half</b> <b>to</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>IS</b> <b>the</b> <b>fun</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>, SHE,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon. “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>fancy</b>, <b>that</b>: <b>they</b> <b>never</b> executes <b>nobody</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Come</b> <b>on</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“Everybody <b>says</b> «<b>come</b> <b>on</b>!» <b>here</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>after</b> <b>it</b>: “<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>ordered</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>my</b> <b>life</b>, <b>never</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>They</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>gone</b> <b>far</b> <b>before</b> <b>they</b> <b>saw</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>, <b>sitting</b> <b>sad</b> <b>and</b> <b>lonely</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> ledge <b>of</b> <b>rock</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>as</b> <b>they</b> <b>came</b> <b>nearer</b>, Alice <b>could</b> <b>hear</b> <b>him</b> <b>sighing</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>his</b> <b>heart</b> <b>would</b> <b>break</b>. <b>She</b> pitied <b>him</b> <b>deeply</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>is</b> <b>his</b> <b>sorrow</b>?” <b>she</b> <b>asked</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>answered</b>, <b>very</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>same</b> <b>words</b> <b>as</b> <b>before</b>, “<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>his</b> <b>fancy</b>, <b>that</b>: <b>he</b> <b>hasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>got</b> <b>no</b> <b>sorrow</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Come</b> <b>on</b>!”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>went</b> <b>up</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle, <b>who</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>them</b> <b>with</b> <b>large</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>full</b> <b>of</b> <b>tears</b>, <b>but</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>This</b> <b>here</b> <b>young</b> <b>lady</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, “<b>she</b> <b>wants</b> <b>for</b> <b>to</b> <b>know</b> <b>your</b> <b>history</b>, <b>she</b> <b>do</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>tell</b> <b>it</b> <b>her</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>deep</b>, <b>hollow</b> <b>tone</b>: “<b>sit</b> <b>down</b>, <b>both</b> <b>of</b> <b>you</b>, <b>and</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>speak</b> <b>a</b> <b>word</b> <b>till</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>finished</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b>, <b>and</b> <b>nobody</b> <b>spoke</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>minutes</b>. Alice <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>see</b> <b>how</b> <b>he</b> <b>can</b> EVEN <b>finish</b>, <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>begin</b>.” <b>But</b> <b>she</b> <b>waited</b> <b>patiently</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Once</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>deep</b> <b>sigh</b>, “<b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>real</b> Turtle.”<br>
|
||||
<b>These</b> <b>words</b> <b>were</b> <b>followed</b> <b>by</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>long</b> <b>silence</b>, <b>broken</b> <b>only</b> <b>by</b> <b>an</b> <b>occasional</b> <b>exclamation</b> <b>of</b> “Hjckrrh!” <b>from</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>constant</b> <b>heavy</b> sobbing <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle. Alice <b>was</b> <b>very</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>getting</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>saying</b>, “<b>Thank</b> <b>you</b>, <b>sir</b>, <b>for</b> <b>your</b> <b>interesting</b> <b>story</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>help</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>there</b> MUST <b>be</b> <b>more</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>sat</b> <b>still</b> <b>and</b> <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>When</b> <b>we</b> <b>were</b> <b>little</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>, <b>more</b> <b>calmly</b>, <b>though</b> <b>still</b> sobbing <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b>, “<b>we</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>school</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>. <b>The</b> <b>master</b> <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> Turtle—<b>we</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>call</b> <b>him</b> Tortoise—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>call</b> <b>him</b> Tortoise, <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>one</b>?” Alice <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>We</b> <b>called</b> <b>him</b> Tortoise <b>because</b> <b>he</b> <b>taught</b> <b>us</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>angrily</b>: “<b>really</b> <b>you</b> <b>are</b> <b>very</b> <b>dull</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> ashamed <b>of</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>for</b> <b>asking</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>simple</b> <b>question</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon; <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>they</b> <b>both</b> <b>sat</b> <b>silent</b> <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>poor</b> Alice, <b>who</b> <b>felt</b> <b>ready</b> <b>to</b> <b>sink</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>earth</b>. <b>At</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle, “Drive <b>on</b>, <b>old</b> <b>fellow</b>! <b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>all</b> <b>day</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>these</b> <b>words</b>:<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>we</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>school</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>, <b>though</b> <b>you</b> mayn'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>it</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>said</b> <b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b>!” <b>interrupted</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>did</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hold</b> <b>your</b> <b>tongue</b>!” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>before</b> Alice <b>could</b> <b>speak</b> <b>again</b>. <b>The</b> Mock Turtle <b>went</b> <b>on</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>We</b> <b>had</b> <b>the</b> <b>best</b> <b>of</b> educations—<b>in</b> <b>fact</b>, <b>we</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>school</b> <b>every</b> <b>day</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'VE <b>been</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>day</b>-<b>school</b>, <b>too</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice; “<b>you</b> <b>needn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> <b>so</b> <b>proud</b> <b>as</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>With</b> extras?” <b>asked</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>anxiously</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, “<b>we</b> <b>learned</b> French <b>and</b> <b>music</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>washing</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Certainly</b> <b>not</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice indignantly.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Ah</b>! <b>then</b> <b>yours</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>a</b> <b>really</b> <b>good</b> <b>school</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>relief</b>. “<b>Now</b> <b>at</b> OURS <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> bill, «French, <b>music</b>, AND WASHING—<b>extra</b>."“<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>wanted</b> <b>it</b> <b>much</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice; “<b>living</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>bottom</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>afford</b> <b>to</b> <b>learn</b> <b>it</b>.” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>sigh</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>only</b> <b>took</b> <b>the</b> <b>regular</b> <b>course</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>was</b> <b>that</b>?” inquired Alice.<br>
|
||||
“Reeling <b>and</b> Writhing, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>, <b>to</b> <b>begin</b> <b>with</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>replied</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>the</b> <b>different</b> <b>branches</b> <b>of</b> Arithmetic— Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, <b>and</b> Derision.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>heard</b> <b>of</b> «Uglification,» Alice ventured <b>to</b> <b>say</b>. “<b>What</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Gryphon <b>lifted</b> <b>up</b> <b>both</b> <b>its</b> paws <b>in</b> <b>surprise</b>. “<b>What</b>! <b>Never</b> <b>heard</b> <b>of</b> uglifying!” <b>it</b> <b>exclaimed</b>. “<b>You</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> beautify <b>is</b>, <b>I</b> <b>suppose</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>doubtfully</b>: “<b>it</b> <b>means</b>—<b>to</b>—<b>make</b>—<b>anything</b>— prettier.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>then</b>,” <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>to</b> uglify <b>is</b>, <b>you</b> ARE <b>a</b> simpleton.”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>feel</b> <b>encouraged</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>any</b> <b>more</b> <b>questions</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>turned</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> “<b>What</b> <b>else</b> <b>had</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>learn</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>there</b> <b>was</b> Mystery,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>replied</b>, <b>counting</b> <b>off</b> <b>the</b> <b>subjects</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> flappers, “—Mystery, <b>ancient</b> <b>and</b> modern, <b>with</b> Seaography: <b>then</b> Drawling—<b>the</b> Drawling-<b>master</b> <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> conger-eel, <b>that</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>once</b> <b>a</b> <b>week</b>: HE <b>taught</b> <b>us</b> Drawling, Stretching, <b>and</b> Fainting <b>in</b> Coils.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>was</b> THAT <b>like</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>show</b> <b>it</b> <b>you</b> <b>myself</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>said</b>: “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>too</b> <b>stiff</b>. <b>And</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>never</b> learnt <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon: “<b>I</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Classics <b>master</b>, <b>though</b>. <b>He</b> <b>was</b> <b>an</b> <b>old</b> crab, HE <b>was</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>went</b> <b>to</b> <b>him</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>said</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>sigh</b>: “<b>he</b> <b>taught</b> Laughing <b>and</b> <b>Grief</b>, <b>they</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>So</b> <b>he</b> <b>did</b>, <b>so</b> <b>he</b> <b>did</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>sighing</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>turn</b>; <b>and</b> <b>both</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>hid</b> <b>their</b> <b>faces</b> <b>in</b> <b>their</b> paws.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>how</b> <b>many</b> <b>hours</b> <b>a</b> <b>day</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>do</b> <b>lessons</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurry</b> <b>to</b> <b>change</b> <b>the</b> <b>subject</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Ten <b>hours</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>day</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle: “<b>nine</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b>, <b>and</b> <b>so</b> <b>on</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>plan</b>!” <b>exclaimed</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>called</b> <b>lessons</b>,” <b>the</b> Gryphon remarked: “<b>because</b> <b>they</b> <b>lessen</b> <b>from</b> <b>day</b> <b>to</b> <b>day</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>a</b> <b>new</b> <b>idea</b> <b>to</b> Alice, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>over</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>her</b> <b>next</b> <b>remark</b>. “<b>Then</b> <b>the</b> <b>eleventh</b> <b>day</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>a</b> <b>holiday</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>how</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>manage</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>twelfth</b>?” Alice <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>eagerly</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>enough</b> <b>about</b> <b>lessons</b>,” <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>interrupted</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>decided</b> <b>tone</b>: “<b>tell</b> <b>her</b> <b>something</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>games</b> <b>now</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> X<br>
|
||||
<b>THE</b> LOBSTER QUADRILLE<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Mock Turtle <b>sighed</b> <b>deeply</b>, <b>and</b> <b>drew</b> <b>the</b> <b>back</b> <b>of</b> <b>one</b> flapper <b>across</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b>. <b>He</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> Alice, <b>and</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>speak</b>, <b>but</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> <b>minute</b> <b>or</b> <b>two</b> sobs <b>choked</b> <b>his</b> <b>voice</b>. “Same <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>bone</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>throat</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon: <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>shaking</b> <b>him</b> <b>and</b> punching <b>him</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>back</b>. <b>At</b> <b>last</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>recovered</b> <b>his</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>with</b> <b>tears</b> <b>running</b> <b>down</b> <b>his</b> <b>cheeks</b>, <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>again</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>may</b> <b>not</b> <b>have</b> <b>lived</b> <b>much</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>—” (<b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice)—`<b>and</b> <b>perhaps</b> <b>you</b> <b>were</b> <b>never</b> <b>even</b> <b>introduced</b> <b>to</b> <b>a</b> lobster- -” (Alice <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> “<b>I</b> <b>once</b> <b>tasted</b>—” <b>but</b> <b>checked</b> <b>herself</b> <b>hastily</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> “<b>No</b>, <b>never</b>') “—<b>so</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>idea</b> <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>delightful</b> <b>thing</b> <b>a</b> Lobster Quadrille <b>is</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>indeed</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice. “<b>What</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>dance</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, “<b>you</b> <b>first</b> <b>form</b> <b>into</b> <b>a</b> <b>line</b> <b>along</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>-<b>shore</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Two</b> <b>lines</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle. “Seals, turtles, salmon, <b>and</b> <b>so</b> <b>on</b>; <b>then</b>, <b>when</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>cleared</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> jelly-<b>fish</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“THAT <b>generally</b> <b>takes</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b>,” <b>interrupted</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>you</b> advance <b>twice</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Each</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> lobster <b>as</b> <b>a</b> partner!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>said</b>: “advance <b>twice</b>, <b>set</b> <b>to</b> partners—”<br>
|
||||
“—<b>change</b> lobsters, <b>and</b> retire <b>in</b> <b>same</b> <b>order</b>,” <b>continued</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>you</b> <b>throw</b> <b>the</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> lobsters!” <b>shouted</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>bound</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>as</b> <b>far</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>sea</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>can</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“Swim <b>after</b> <b>them</b>!” <b>screamed</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Back</b> <b>to</b> <b>land</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>figure</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle, <b>suddenly</b> <b>dropping</b> <b>his</b> <b>voice</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>two</b> <b>creatures</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>jumping</b> <b>about</b> <b>like</b> <b>mad</b> <b>things</b> <b>all</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>, <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>again</b> <b>very</b> <b>sadly</b> <b>and</b> <b>quietly</b>, <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>pretty</b> <b>dance</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice timidly.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Would</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Very</b> <b>much</b> <b>indeed</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>try</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>figure</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon. “<b>We</b> <b>can</b> <b>do</b> <b>without</b> lobsters, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>. <b>Which</b> <b>shall</b> <b>sing</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, YOU <b>sing</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>forgotten</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>began</b> <b>solemnly</b> <b>dancing</b> <b>round</b> <b>and</b> <b>round</b> Alice, <b>every</b> <b>now</b> <b>and</b> <b>then</b> treading <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>toes</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>passed</b> <b>too</b> <b>close</b>, <b>and</b> <b>waving</b> <b>their</b> forepaws <b>to</b> <b>mark</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b>, <b>while</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>sang</b> <b>this</b>, <b>very</b> <b>slowly</b> <b>and</b> <b>sadly</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“"<b>Will</b> <b>you</b> <b>walk</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>faster</b>?» <b>said</b> <b>a</b> whiting <b>to</b> <b>a</b> <b>snail</b>. «<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> porpoise <b>close</b> <b>behind</b> <b>us</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b>'<b>s</b> treading <b>on</b> <b>my</b> <b>tail</b>. <b>See</b> <b>how</b> <b>eagerly</b> <b>the</b> lobsters <b>and</b> <b>the</b> turtles <b>all</b> advance! <b>They</b> <b>are</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>shingle</b>—<b>will</b> <b>you</b> <b>come</b> <b>and</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>? <b>Will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>?<br>
|
||||
«<b>You</b> <b>can</b> <b>really</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>notion</b> <b>how</b> <b>delightful</b> <b>it</b> <b>will</b> <b>be</b> <b>When</b> <b>they</b> <b>take</b> <b>us</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>throw</b> <b>us</b>, <b>with</b> <b>the</b> lobsters, <b>out</b> <b>to</b><br>
|
||||
<b>sea</b>!» <b>But</b> <b>the</b> <b>snail</b> <b>replied</b> «<b>Too</b> <b>far</b>, <b>too</b> <b>far</b>!» <b>and</b> <b>gave</b> <b>a</b> <b>look</b><br>
|
||||
askance— <b>Said</b> <b>he</b> <b>thanked</b> <b>the</b> whiting <b>kindly</b>, <b>but</b> <b>he</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>. <b>Would</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b>, <b>would</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b>, <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>join</b><br>
|
||||
<b>the</b> <b>dance</b>. <b>Would</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b>, <b>would</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b>, <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>join</b><br>
|
||||
<b>the</b> <b>dance</b>.<br>
|
||||
“"<b>What</b> <b>matters</b> <b>it</b> <b>how</b> <b>far</b> <b>we</b> <b>go</b>?» <b>his</b> scaly <b>friend</b> <b>replied</b>. «<b>There</b> <b>is</b> <b>another</b> <b>shore</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>upon</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b>. <b>The</b> <b>further</b> <b>off</b> <b>from</b> <b>England</b> <b>the</b> <b>nearer</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> France— <b>Then</b> <b>turn</b> <b>not</b> <b>pale</b>, <b>beloved</b> <b>snail</b>, <b>but</b> <b>come</b> <b>and</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b><br>
|
||||
<b>dance</b>? <b>Will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b>, <b>won</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b> <b>join</b> <b>the</b><br>
|
||||
<b>dance</b>?"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Thank</b> <b>you</b>, <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>interesting</b> <b>dance</b> <b>to</b> <b>watch</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>feeling</b> <b>very</b> <b>glad</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>over</b> <b>at</b> <b>last</b>: “<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>do</b> <b>so</b> <b>like</b> <b>that</b> <b>curious</b> <b>song</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> whiting!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>as</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> whiting,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle, “<b>they</b>—<b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>them</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>often</b> <b>seen</b> <b>them</b> <b>at</b> dinn—” <b>she</b> <b>checked</b> <b>herself</b> <b>hastily</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>where</b> Dinn <b>may</b> <b>be</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle, “<b>but</b> <b>if</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>them</b> <b>so</b> <b>often</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>like</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>believe</b> <b>so</b>,” Alice <b>replied</b> <b>thoughtfully</b>. “<b>They</b> <b>have</b> <b>their</b> tails <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>mouths</b>—<b>and</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>all</b> <b>over</b> <b>crumbs</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>wrong</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>crumbs</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle: “<b>crumbs</b> <b>would</b> <b>all</b> <b>wash</b> <b>off</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>. <b>But</b> <b>they</b> HAVE <b>their</b> tails <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>mouths</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>is</b>—” <b>here</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>yawned</b> <b>and</b> <b>shut</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b>.—`<b>Tell</b> <b>her</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>reason</b> <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>reason</b> <b>is</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, “<b>that</b> <b>they</b> WOULD <b>go</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> lobsters <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>dance</b>. <b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>got</b> <b>thrown</b> <b>out</b> <b>to</b> <b>sea</b>. <b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>fall</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>way</b>. <b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>got</b> <b>their</b> tails <b>fast</b> <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>mouths</b>. <b>So</b> <b>they</b> <b>couldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>get</b> <b>them</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>. <b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Thank</b> <b>you</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, “<b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>interesting</b>. <b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>knew</b> <b>so</b> <b>much</b> <b>about</b> <b>a</b> whiting <b>before</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> <b>that</b>, <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon. “<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>why</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>called</b> <b>a</b> whiting?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>thought</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice. “<b>Why</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“IT DOES <b>THE</b> BOOTS AND SHOES.” <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>replied</b> <b>very</b> <b>solemnly</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>was</b> <b>thoroughly</b> <b>puzzled</b>. “Does <b>the</b> <b>boots</b> <b>and</b> <b>shoes</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>wondering</b> <b>tone</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>, <b>what</b> <b>are</b> YOUR <b>shoes</b> <b>done</b> <b>with</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon. “<b>I</b> <b>mean</b>, <b>what</b> <b>makes</b> <b>them</b> <b>so</b> <b>shiny</b>?”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>looked</b> <b>down</b> <b>at</b> <b>them</b>, <b>and</b> <b>considered</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>gave</b> <b>her</b> <b>answer</b>. “<b>They</b>'<b>re</b> <b>done</b> <b>with</b> blacking, <b>I</b> <b>believe</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“Boots <b>and</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>under</b> <b>the</b> <b>sea</b>,” <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>deep</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>are</b> <b>done</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> whiting. <b>Now</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>what</b> <b>are</b> <b>they</b> <b>made</b> <b>of</b>?” Alice <b>asked</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>curiosity</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Soles <b>and</b> eels, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>replied</b> <b>rather</b> <b>impatiently</b>: “<b>any</b> shrimp <b>could</b> <b>have</b> <b>told</b> <b>you</b> <b>that</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>been</b> <b>the</b> whiting,” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>whose</b> <b>thoughts</b> <b>were</b> <b>still</b> <b>running</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>song</b>, “<b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>have</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> porpoise, «<b>Keep</b> <b>back</b>, <b>please</b>: <b>we</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>want</b> YOU <b>with</b> <b>us</b>!"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>were</b> <b>obliged</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>him</b> <b>with</b> <b>them</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>said</b>: “<b>no</b> <b>wise</b> <b>fish</b> <b>would</b> <b>go</b> <b>anywhere</b> <b>without</b> <b>a</b> porpoise.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>it</b> <b>really</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>surprise</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle: “<b>why</b>, <b>if</b> <b>a</b> <b>fish</b> <b>came</b> <b>to</b> ME, <b>and</b> <b>told</b> <b>me</b> <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>going</b> <b>a</b> <b>journey</b>, <b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>say</b> «<b>With</b> <b>what</b> porpoise?"“<br>
|
||||
“<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>you</b> <b>mean</b> «<b>purpose</b>»?” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>mean</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>say</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>replied</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>offended</b> <b>tone</b>. <b>And</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>added</b> “<b>Come</b>, <b>let</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hear</b> <b>some</b> <b>of</b> YOUR <b>adventures</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>tell</b> <b>you</b> <b>my</b> <b>adventures</b>—<b>beginning</b> <b>from</b> <b>this</b> <b>morning</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>a</b> <b>little</b> timidly: “<b>but</b> <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>use</b> <b>going</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>yesterday</b>, <b>because</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>different</b> <b>person</b> <b>then</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“Explain <b>all</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>no</b>! <b>The</b> <b>adventures</b> <b>first</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>impatient</b> <b>tone</b>: “explanations <b>take</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>dreadful</b> <b>time</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> Alice <b>began</b> <b>telling</b> <b>them</b> <b>her</b> <b>adventures</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>first</b> <b>saw</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit. <b>She</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> nervous <b>about</b> <b>it</b> <b>just</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b>, <b>the</b> <b>two</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>got</b> <b>so</b> <b>close</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>, <b>one</b> <b>on</b> <b>each</b> <b>side</b>, <b>and</b> <b>opened</b> <b>their</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>and</b> <b>mouths</b> <b>so</b> <b>VERY</b> <b>wide</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>gained</b> <b>courage</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>. <b>Her</b> <b>listeners</b> <b>were</b> <b>perfectly</b> <b>quiet</b> <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>part</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>repeating</b> “YOU ARE <b>OLD</b>, FATHER WILLIAM,” <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Caterpillar, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>all</b> <b>coming</b> <b>different</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>drew</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>breath</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b> “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>about</b> <b>as</b> <b>curious</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>can</b> <b>be</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>all</b> <b>came</b> <b>different</b>!” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>repeated</b> <b>thoughtfully</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>hear</b> <b>her</b> <b>try</b> <b>and</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>something</b> <b>now</b>. <b>Tell</b> <b>her</b> <b>to</b> <b>begin</b>.” <b>He</b> <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>thought</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>some</b> <b>kind</b> <b>of</b> <b>authority</b> <b>over</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Stand</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>repeat</b> «'TIS <b>THE</b> VOICE <b>OF</b> <b>THE</b> SLUGGARD,"“ <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon.<br>
|
||||
“<b>How</b> <b>the</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>order</b> <b>one</b> <b>about</b>, <b>and</b> <b>make</b> <b>one</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>lessons</b>!” <b>thought</b> Alice; “<b>I</b> <b>might</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>be</b> <b>at</b> <b>school</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>.” <b>However</b>, <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>to</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>it</b>, <b>but</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>was</b> <b>so</b> <b>full</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Lobster Quadrille, <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>knew</b> <b>what</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>saying</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>came</b> <b>very</b> <b>queer</b> <b>indeed</b>:—<br>
|
||||
«'Tis <b>the</b> <b>voice</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Lobster; <b>I</b> <b>heard</b> <b>him</b> declare, «<b>You</b> <b>have</b> <b>baked</b> <b>me</b> <b>too</b> <b>brown</b>, <b>I</b> <b>must</b> sugar <b>my</b> <b>hair</b>.» <b>As</b> <b>a</b> <b>duck</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>eyelids</b>, <b>so</b> <b>he</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>nose</b> Trims <b>his</b> <b>belt</b> <b>and</b> <b>his</b> <b>buttons</b>, <b>and</b> <b>turns</b> <b>out</b> <b>his</b> <b>toes</b>.”<br>
|
||||
[<b>later</b> editions <b>continued</b> <b>as</b> <b>follows</b> <b>When</b> <b>the</b> sands <b>are</b> <b>all</b> <b>dry</b>, <b>he</b> <b>is</b> <b>gay</b> <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>lark</b>, <b>And</b> <b>will</b> <b>talk</b> <b>in</b> contemptuous <b>tones</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Shark, <b>But</b>, <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>tide</b> <b>rises</b> <b>and</b> sharks <b>are</b> <b>around</b>, <b>His</b> <b>voice</b> <b>has</b> <b>a</b> <b>timid</b> <b>and</b> tremulous <b>sound</b>.]<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>different</b> <b>from</b> <b>what</b> <b>I</b> <b>used</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>child</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>heard</b> <b>it</b> <b>before</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle; “<b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>sounds</b> uncommon <b>nonsense</b>.”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>said</b> <b>nothing</b>; <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>sat</b> <b>down</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>hands</b>, <b>wondering</b> <b>if</b> <b>anything</b> <b>would</b> EVER <b>happen</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>natural</b> <b>way</b> <b>again</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>like</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>it</b> explained,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle.<br>
|
||||
“<b>She</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>explain</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>hastily</b>. “<b>Go</b> <b>on</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>verse</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>about</b> <b>his</b> <b>toes</b>?” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>persisted</b>. “<b>How</b> COULD <b>he</b> <b>turn</b> <b>them</b> <b>out</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> <b>nose</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>position</b> <b>in</b> <b>dancing</b>.” Alice <b>said</b>; <b>but</b> <b>was</b> <b>dreadfully</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>thing</b>, <b>and</b> <b>longed</b> <b>to</b> <b>change</b> <b>the</b> <b>subject</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Go</b> <b>on</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> <b>verse</b>,” <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>repeated</b> <b>impatiently</b>: “<b>it</b> <b>begins</b> «<b>I</b> <b>passed</b> <b>by</b> <b>his</b> <b>garden</b>."“<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>dare</b> <b>to</b> disobey, <b>though</b> <b>she</b> <b>felt</b> <b>sure</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>all</b> <b>come</b> <b>wrong</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>passed</b> <b>by</b> <b>his</b> <b>garden</b>, <b>and</b> <b>marked</b>, <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>eye</b>, <b>How</b> <b>the</b> Owl <b>and</b> <b>the</b> Panther <b>were</b> <b>sharing</b> <b>a</b> pie—”<br>
|
||||
[<b>later</b> editions <b>continued</b> <b>as</b> <b>follows</b> <b>The</b> Panther <b>took</b> pie-crust, <b>and</b> gravy, <b>and</b> <b>meat</b>, <b>While</b> <b>the</b> Owl <b>had</b> <b>the</b> <b>dish</b> <b>as</b> <b>its</b> <b>share</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>treat</b>. <b>When</b> <b>the</b> pie <b>was</b> <b>all</b> <b>finished</b>, <b>the</b> Owl, <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>boon</b>, <b>Was</b> <b>kindly</b> <b>permitted</b> <b>to</b> <b>pocket</b> <b>the</b> <b>spoon</b>: <b>While</b> <b>the</b> Panther <b>received</b> <b>knife</b> <b>and</b> fork <b>with</b> <b>a</b> growl, <b>And</b> concluded <b>the</b> <b>banquet</b>—]<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>IS</b> <b>the</b> <b>use</b> <b>of</b> <b>repeating</b> <b>all</b> <b>that</b> <b>stuff</b>,” <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>interrupted</b>, “<b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>explain</b> <b>it</b> <b>as</b> <b>you</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b>? <b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>by</b> <b>far</b> <b>the</b> <b>most</b> confusing <b>thing</b> <b>I</b> <b>ever</b> <b>heard</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>better</b> <b>leave</b> <b>off</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon: <b>and</b> Alice <b>was</b> <b>only</b> <b>too</b> <b>glad</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>so</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Shall</b> <b>we</b> <b>try</b> <b>another</b> <b>figure</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Lobster Quadrille?” <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>went</b> <b>on</b>. “<b>Or</b> <b>would</b> <b>you</b> <b>like</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>to</b> <b>sing</b> <b>you</b> <b>a</b> <b>song</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>a</b> <b>song</b>, <b>please</b>, <b>if</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>so</b> <b>kind</b>,” Alice <b>replied</b>, <b>so</b> <b>eagerly</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>said</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>rather</b> <b>offended</b> <b>toe</b>, “Hm! <b>No</b> <b>accounting</b> <b>for</b> <b>tastes</b>! <b>Sing</b> <b>her</b> «Turtle Soup,» <b>will</b> <b>you</b>, <b>old</b> <b>fellow</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Mock Turtle <b>sighed</b> <b>deeply</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>voice</b> <b>sometimes</b> <b>choked</b> <b>with</b> sobs, <b>to</b> <b>sing</b> <b>this</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“Beautiful Soup, <b>so</b> <b>rich</b> <b>and</b> <b>green</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Waiting</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>hot</b> tureen!<br>
|
||||
<b>Who</b> <b>for</b> <b>such</b> <b>dainties</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> stoop?<br>
|
||||
Soup <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>evening</b>, <b>beautiful</b> Soup!<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
Soup <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>evening</b>, <b>beautiful</b> Soup!<br>
|
||||
Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!<br>
|
||||
Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!<br>
|
||||
Soo—oop <b>of</b> <b>the</b> e—e—<b>evening</b>,<br>
|
||||
Beautiful, <b>beautiful</b> Soup!<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“Beautiful Soup! <b>Who</b> <b>cares</b> <b>for</b> <b>fish</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Game</b>, <b>or</b> <b>any</b> <b>other</b> <b>dish</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>Who</b> <b>would</b> <b>not</b> <b>give</b> <b>all</b> <b>else</b> <b>for</b> <b>two</b> <b>penny</b><br>
|
||||
<b>worth</b> <b>only</b> <b>of</b> <b>beautiful</b> Soup?<br>
|
||||
Pennyworth <b>only</b> <b>of</b> <b>beautiful</b> Soup?<br>
|
||||
Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!<br>
|
||||
Beau—ootiful Soo—oop! Soo—oop <b>of</b> <b>the</b> e—e—<b>evening</b>,<br>
|
||||
Beautiful, beauti—FUL SOUP!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“Chorus <b>again</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle <b>had</b> <b>just</b> <b>begun</b> <b>to</b> <b>repeat</b> <b>it</b>, <b>when</b> <b>a</b> <b>cry</b> <b>of</b> “<b>The</b> <b>trial</b>'<b>s</b> <b>beginning</b>!” <b>was</b> <b>heard</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b> <b>on</b>!” <b>cried</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>and</b>, <b>taking</b> Alice <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>it</b> <b>hurried</b> <b>off</b>, <b>without</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>song</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>trial</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b>?” Alice <b>panted</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b>; <b>but</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>only</b> <b>answered</b> “<b>Come</b> <b>on</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>ran</b> <b>the</b> <b>faster</b>, <b>while</b> <b>more</b> <b>and</b> <b>more</b> <b>faintly</b> <b>came</b>, <b>carried</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>breeze</b> <b>that</b> <b>followed</b> <b>them</b>, <b>the</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>words</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“Soo—oop <b>of</b> <b>the</b> e—e—<b>evening</b>,<br>
|
||||
Beautiful, <b>beautiful</b> Soup!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> XI<br>
|
||||
WHO STOLE <b>THE</b> TARTS?<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b> <b>and</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>of</b> Hearts <b>were</b> <b>seated</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> <b>throne</b> <b>when</b> <b>they</b> <b>arrived</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>crowd</b> <b>assembled</b> <b>about</b> <b>them</b>—<b>all</b> <b>sorts</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> <b>birds</b> <b>and</b> <b>beasts</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>pack</b> <b>of</b> cards: <b>the</b> Knave <b>was</b> <b>standing</b> <b>before</b> <b>them</b>, <b>in</b> <b>chains</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> soldier <b>on</b> <b>each</b> <b>side</b> <b>to</b> <b>guard</b> <b>him</b>; <b>and</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>trumpet</b> <b>in</b> <b>one</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>scroll</b> <b>of</b> parchment <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>. <b>In</b> <b>the</b> <b>very</b> <b>middle</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> court <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>table</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>dish</b> <b>of</b> tarts <b>upon</b> <b>it</b>: <b>they</b> <b>looked</b> <b>so</b> <b>good</b>, <b>that</b> <b>it</b> <b>made</b> Alice <b>quite</b> <b>hungry</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>them</b>—`<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>they</b>'<b>d</b> <b>get</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b> <b>done</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>hand</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> refreshments!” <b>But</b> <b>there</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>no</b> <b>chance</b> <b>of</b> <b>this</b>, <b>so</b> <b>she</b> <b>began</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>everything</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b>, <b>to</b> <b>pass</b> <b>away</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>been</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> court <b>of</b> <b>justice</b> <b>before</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>read</b> <b>about</b> <b>them</b> <b>in</b> <b>books</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>quite</b> <b>pleased</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b> <b>the</b> <b>name</b> <b>of</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>everything</b> <b>there</b>. “<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>judge</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, “<b>because</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>great</b> wig.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>judge</b>, <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b>, <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>; <b>and</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>wore</b> <b>his</b> <b>crown</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> wig, (<b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> frontispiece <b>if</b> <b>you</b> <b>want</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>how</b> <b>he</b> <b>did</b> <b>it</b>,) <b>he</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>comfortable</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>not</b> <b>becoming</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>And</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> jury-<b>box</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice, “<b>and</b> <b>those</b> <b>twelve</b> <b>creatures</b>,” (<b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>obliged</b> <b>to</b> <b>say</b> “<b>creatures</b>,” <b>you</b> <b>see</b>, <b>because</b> <b>some</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>were</b> <b>animals</b>, <b>and</b> <b>some</b> <b>were</b> <b>birds</b>,) “<b>I</b> <b>suppose</b> <b>they</b> <b>are</b> <b>the</b> jurors.” <b>She</b> <b>said</b> <b>this</b> <b>last</b> <b>word</b> <b>two</b> <b>or</b> <b>three</b> <b>times</b> <b>over</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>, <b>being</b> <b>rather</b> <b>proud</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>: <b>for</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b>, <b>and</b> <b>rightly</b> <b>too</b>, <b>that</b> <b>very</b> <b>few</b> <b>little</b> girls <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>age</b> <b>knew</b> <b>the</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>. <b>However</b>, “jury-<b>men</b>” <b>would</b> <b>have</b> <b>done</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>well</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>twelve</b> jurors <b>were</b> <b>all</b> <b>writing</b> <b>very</b> <b>busily</b> <b>on</b> slates. “<b>What</b> <b>are</b> <b>they</b> <b>doing</b>?” Alice <b>whispered</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon. “<b>They</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>have</b> <b>anything</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>down</b> <b>yet</b>, <b>before</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b>'<b>s</b> <b>begun</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b>'<b>re</b> <b>putting</b> <b>down</b> <b>their</b> <b>names</b>,” <b>the</b> Gryphon <b>whispered</b> <b>in</b> <b>reply</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>fear</b> <b>they</b> <b>should</b> <b>forget</b> <b>them</b> <b>before</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“Stupid <b>things</b>!” Alice <b>began</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>loud</b>, <b>indignant</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>but</b> <b>she</b> <b>stopped</b> <b>hastily</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>cried</b> <b>out</b>, “<b>Silence</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> court!” <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> spectacles <b>and</b> <b>looked</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>round</b>, <b>to</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>talking</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>could</b> <b>see</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>she</b> <b>were</b> <b>looking</b> <b>over</b> <b>their</b> <b>shoulders</b>, <b>that</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> jurors <b>were</b> <b>writing</b> <b>down</b> “<b>stupid</b> <b>things</b>!” <b>on</b> <b>their</b> slates, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>even</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b> <b>how</b> <b>to</b> <b>spell</b> “<b>stupid</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>that</b> <b>he</b> <b>had</b> <b>to</b> <b>ask</b> <b>his</b> <b>neighbour</b> <b>to</b> <b>tell</b> <b>him</b>. “<b>A</b> <b>nice</b> muddle <b>their</b> slates'<b>ll</b> <b>be</b> <b>in</b> <b>before</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b>'<b>s</b> <b>over</b>!” <b>thought</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
<b>One</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> jurors <b>had</b> <b>a</b> pencil <b>that</b> <b>squeaked</b>. <b>This</b> <b>of</b> <b>course</b>, Alice <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>stand</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>went</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> court <b>and</b> <b>got</b> <b>behind</b> <b>him</b>, <b>and</b> <b>very</b> <b>soon</b> <b>found</b> <b>an</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>of</b> <b>taking</b> <b>it</b> <b>away</b>. <b>She</b> <b>did</b> <b>it</b> <b>so</b> <b>quickly</b> <b>that</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> juror (<b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>Bill</b>, <b>the</b> Lizard) <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>make</b> <b>out</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b> <b>what</b> <b>had</b> <b>become</b> <b>of</b> <b>it</b>; <b>so</b>, <b>after</b> <b>hunting</b> <b>all</b> <b>about</b> <b>for</b> <b>it</b>, <b>he</b> <b>was</b> <b>obliged</b> <b>to</b> <b>write</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>finger</b> <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>day</b>; <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>of</b> <b>very</b> <b>little</b> <b>use</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>left</b> <b>no</b> <b>mark</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> slate.<br>
|
||||
“Herald, <b>read</b> <b>the</b> accusation!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>On</b> <b>this</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>blew</b> <b>three</b> <b>blasts</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>trumpet</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> unrolled <b>the</b> parchment <b>scroll</b>, <b>and</b> <b>read</b> <b>as</b> <b>follows</b>:—<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>of</b> Hearts, <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>some</b> tarts,<br>
|
||||
<b>All</b> <b>on</b> <b>a</b> <b>summer</b> <b>day</b>:<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Knave <b>of</b> Hearts, <b>he</b> <b>stole</b> <b>those</b> tarts,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>took</b> <b>them</b> <b>quite</b> <b>away</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Consider</b> <b>your</b> verdict,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> jury.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Not</b> <b>yet</b>, <b>not</b> <b>yet</b>!” <b>the</b> Rabbit <b>hastily</b> <b>interrupted</b>. “<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>deal</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>before</b> <b>that</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Call</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> witness,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>; <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>blew</b> <b>three</b> <b>blasts</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>trumpet</b>, <b>and</b> <b>called</b> <b>out</b>, “<b>First</b> witness!”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>first</b> witness <b>was</b> <b>the</b> Hatter. <b>He</b> <b>came</b> <b>in</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> teacup <b>in</b> <b>one</b> <b>hand</b> <b>and</b> <b>a</b> <b>piece</b> <b>of</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>beg</b> <b>pardon</b>, <b>your</b> Majesty,” <b>he</b> <b>began</b>, “<b>for</b> <b>bringing</b> <b>these</b> <b>in</b>: <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>quite</b> <b>finished</b> <b>my</b> <b>tea</b> <b>when</b> <b>I</b> <b>was</b> <b>sent</b> <b>for</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>have</b> <b>finished</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>. “<b>When</b> <b>did</b> <b>you</b> <b>begin</b>?”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Hatter <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> March Hare, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>followed</b> <b>him</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> court, <b>arm</b>-<b>in</b>-<b>arm</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse. “Fourteenth <b>of</b> March, <b>I</b> <b>think</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Fifteenth,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> March Hare.<br>
|
||||
“Sixteenth,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse.<br>
|
||||
“Write <b>that</b> <b>down</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> jury, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> jury <b>eagerly</b> <b>wrote</b> <b>down</b> <b>all</b> <b>three</b> <b>dates</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> slates, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>added</b> <b>them</b> <b>up</b>, <b>and</b> <b>reduced</b> <b>the</b> <b>answer</b> <b>to</b> shillings <b>and</b> <b>pence</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Take</b> <b>off</b> <b>your</b> <b>hat</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Hatter.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>mine</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter.<br>
|
||||
“Stolen!” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>exclaimed</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> jury, <b>who</b> <b>instantly</b> <b>made</b> <b>a</b> memorandum <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>fact</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>keep</b> <b>them</b> <b>to</b> <b>sell</b>,” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>added</b> <b>as</b> <b>an</b> <b>explanation</b>; “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>none</b> <b>of</b> <b>my</b> <b>own</b>. <b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> hatter.”<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> spectacles, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>staring</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, <b>who</b> <b>turned</b> <b>pale</b> <b>and</b> <b>fidgeted</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Give</b> <b>your</b> <b>evidence</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>; “<b>and</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>be</b> nervous, <b>or</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>have</b> <b>you</b> executed <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>spot</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>This</b> <b>did</b> <b>not</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>encourage</b> <b>the</b> witness <b>at</b> <b>all</b>: <b>he</b> <b>kept</b> <b>shifting</b> <b>form</b> <b>one</b> <b>foot</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>uneasily</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>and</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>confusion</b> <b>he</b> <b>bit</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> <b>piece</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> teacup <b>instead</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Just</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b> Alice <b>felt</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b> sensation, <b>which</b> <b>puzzled</b> <b>her</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>deal</b> <b>until</b> <b>she</b> <b>made</b> <b>out</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>: <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>larger</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>at</b> <b>first</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>get</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>leave</b> <b>the</b> court; <b>but</b> <b>on</b> <b>second</b> <b>thoughts</b> <b>she</b> <b>decided</b> <b>to</b> <b>remain</b> <b>where</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>as</b> <b>long</b> <b>as</b> <b>there</b> <b>was</b> <b>room</b> <b>for</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>wish</b> <b>you</b> <b>wouldn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>squeeze</b> <b>so</b>.” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>sitting</b> <b>next</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>. “<b>I</b> <b>can</b> <b>hardly</b> <b>breathe</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>help</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>very</b> meekly: “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>growing</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>no</b> <b>right</b> <b>to</b> <b>grow</b> <b>here</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>talk</b> <b>nonsense</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice <b>more</b> <b>boldly</b>: “<b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> <b>growing</b> <b>too</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Yes</b>, <b>but</b> <b>I</b> <b>grow</b> <b>at</b> <b>a</b> reasonable <b>pace</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse: “<b>not</b> <b>in</b> <b>that</b> <b>ridiculous</b> <b>fashion</b>.” <b>And</b> <b>he</b> <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>very</b> sulkily <b>and</b> <b>crossed</b> <b>over</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> <b>side</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> court.<br>
|
||||
<b>All</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>had</b> <b>never</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>staring</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, <b>and</b>, <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>crossed</b> <b>the</b> court, <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> officers <b>of</b> <b>the</b> court, “<b>Bring</b> <b>me</b> <b>the</b> <b>list</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> singers <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> concert!” <b>on</b> <b>which</b> <b>the</b> <b>wretched</b> Hatter <b>trembled</b> <b>so</b>, <b>that</b> <b>he</b> <b>shook</b> <b>both</b> <b>his</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>off</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Give</b> <b>your</b> <b>evidence</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>angrily</b>, “<b>or</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>have</b> <b>you</b> executed, <b>whether</b> <b>you</b>'<b>re</b> nervous <b>or</b> <b>not</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>poor</b> <b>man</b>, <b>your</b> Majesty,” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>began</b>, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b>, “—<b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>hadn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>begun</b> <b>my</b> <b>tea</b>—<b>not</b> <b>above</b> <b>a</b> <b>week</b> <b>or</b> <b>so</b>—<b>and</b> <b>what</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b> <b>getting</b> <b>so</b> <b>thin</b>—<b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>twinkling</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>tea</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>twinkling</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>what</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>began</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>tea</b>,” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>replied</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Of</b> <b>course</b> <b>twinkling</b> <b>begins</b> <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>T</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>sharply</b>. “<b>Do</b> <b>you</b> <b>take</b> <b>me</b> <b>for</b> <b>a</b> dunce? <b>Go</b> <b>on</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>poor</b> <b>man</b>,” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>most</b> <b>things</b> <b>twinkled</b> <b>after</b> <b>that</b>—<b>only</b> <b>the</b> March Hare <b>said</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>deny</b> <b>it</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>: “<b>leave</b> <b>out</b> <b>that</b> <b>part</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b>, <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>said</b>—” <b>the</b> Hatter <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>round</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>would</b> <b>deny</b> <b>it</b> <b>too</b>: <b>but</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse denied <b>nothing</b>, <b>being</b> <b>fast</b> <b>asleep</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>After</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>continued</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, “<b>I</b> <b>cut</b> <b>some</b> <b>more</b> <b>bread</b>- <b>and</b>-<b>butter</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b> <b>what</b> <b>did</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>say</b>?” <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> jury <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> <b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>remember</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> MUST <b>remember</b>,” remarked <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>or</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>have</b> <b>you</b> executed.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>miserable</b> Hatter <b>dropped</b> <b>his</b> teacup <b>and</b> <b>bread</b>-<b>and</b>-<b>butter</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>one</b> knee. “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>a</b> <b>poor</b> <b>man</b>, <b>your</b> Majesty,” <b>he</b> <b>began</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>poor</b> speaker,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> guinea-pigs <b>cheered</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>immediately</b> <b>suppressed</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> officers <b>of</b> <b>the</b> court. (<b>As</b> <b>that</b> <b>is</b> <b>rather</b> <b>a</b> <b>hard</b> <b>word</b>, <b>I</b> <b>will</b> <b>just</b> <b>explain</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b> <b>how</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>done</b>. <b>They</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>large</b> canvas <b>bag</b>, <b>which</b> <b>tied</b> <b>up</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>with</b> <b>strings</b>: <b>into</b> <b>this</b> <b>they</b> <b>slipped</b> <b>the</b> guinea-pig, <b>head</b> <b>first</b>, <b>and</b> <b>then</b> <b>sat</b> <b>upon</b> <b>it</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>glad</b> <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>seen</b> <b>that</b> <b>done</b>,” <b>thought</b> Alice. “<b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>so</b> <b>often</b> <b>read</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> newspapers, <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b> <b>of</b> <b>trials</b>, «<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>some</b> <b>attempts</b> <b>at</b> <b>applause</b>, <b>which</b> <b>was</b> <b>immediately</b> <b>suppressed</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> officers <b>of</b> <b>the</b> court,» <b>and</b> <b>I</b> <b>never</b> <b>understood</b> <b>what</b> <b>it</b> <b>meant</b> <b>till</b> <b>now</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>all</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>, <b>you</b> <b>may</b> <b>stand</b> <b>down</b>,” <b>continued</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>go</b> <b>no</b> <b>lower</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter: “<b>I</b>'<b>m</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>floor</b>, <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>is</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>you</b> <b>may</b> SIT <b>down</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>replied</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Here</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b> guinea-pig <b>cheered</b>, <b>and</b> <b>was</b> <b>suppressed</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Come</b>, <b>that</b> <b>finished</b> <b>the</b> guinea-pigs!” <b>thought</b> Alice. “<b>Now</b> <b>we</b> <b>shall</b> <b>get</b> <b>on</b> <b>better</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>d</b> <b>rather</b> <b>finish</b> <b>my</b> <b>tea</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Hatter, <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>anxious</b> <b>look</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>reading</b> <b>the</b> <b>list</b> <b>of</b> singers.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>may</b> <b>go</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> Hatter hurriedly <b>left</b> <b>the</b> court, <b>without</b> <b>even</b> <b>waiting</b> <b>to</b> <b>put</b> <b>his</b> <b>shoes</b> <b>on</b>.<br>
|
||||
“—<b>and</b> <b>just</b> <b>take</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b> <b>off</b> <b>outside</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>added</b> <b>to</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> officers: <b>but</b> <b>the</b> Hatter <b>was</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b> <b>before</b> <b>the</b> officer <b>could</b> <b>get</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Call</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> witness!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>next</b> witness <b>was</b> <b>the</b> Duchess'<b>s</b> <b>cook</b>. <b>She</b> <b>carried</b> <b>the</b> pepper-<b>box</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>and</b> Alice <b>guessed</b> <b>who</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b>, <b>even</b> <b>before</b> <b>she</b> <b>got</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> court, <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>way</b> <b>the</b> <b>people</b> <b>near</b> <b>the</b> <b>door</b> <b>began</b> sneezing <b>all</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Give</b> <b>your</b> <b>evidence</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Shan'<b>t</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b> <b>looked</b> <b>anxiously</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit, <b>who</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>Your</b> Majesty <b>must</b> <b>cross</b>-<b>examine</b> THIS witness.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>if</b> <b>I</b> <b>must</b>, <b>I</b> <b>must</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b>, <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>air</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>after</b> folding <b>his</b> <b>arms</b> <b>and</b> <b>frowning</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>till</b> <b>his</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>were</b> <b>nearly</b> <b>out</b> <b>of</b> <b>sight</b>, <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>deep</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>What</b> <b>are</b> tarts <b>made</b> <b>of</b>?”<br>
|
||||
“Pepper, <b>mostly</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>cook</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Treacle,” <b>said</b> <b>a</b> <b>sleepy</b> <b>voice</b> <b>behind</b> <b>her</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Collar <b>that</b> Dormouse,” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> shrieked <b>out</b>. “Behead <b>that</b> Dormouse! <b>Turn</b> <b>that</b> Dormouse <b>out</b> <b>of</b> court! Suppress <b>him</b>! Pinch <b>him</b>! <b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>his</b> whiskers!”<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>some</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> court <b>was</b> <b>in</b> <b>confusion</b>, <b>getting</b> <b>the</b> Dormouse <b>turned</b> <b>out</b>, <b>and</b>, <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>time</b> <b>they</b> <b>had</b> <b>settled</b> <b>down</b> <b>again</b>, <b>the</b> <b>cook</b> <b>had</b> <b>disappeared</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Never</b> <b>mind</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>with</b> <b>an</b> <b>air</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>relief</b>. “<b>Call</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> witness.” <b>And</b> <b>he</b> <b>added</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> undertone <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, “<b>Really</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>, YOU <b>must</b> <b>cross</b>-<b>examine</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> witness. <b>It</b> <b>quite</b> <b>makes</b> <b>my</b> <b>forehead</b> <b>ache</b>!”<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>watched</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>fumbled</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>list</b>, <b>feeling</b> <b>very</b> <b>curious</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>what</b> <b>the</b> <b>next</b> witness <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>like</b>, “—<b>for</b> <b>they</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>got</b> <b>much</b> <b>evidence</b> YET,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>. <b>Imagine</b> <b>her</b> <b>surprise</b>, <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>read</b> <b>out</b>, <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>his</b> <b>shrill</b> <b>little</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>the</b> <b>name</b> “Alice!”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<b>Chapter</b> XII<br>
|
||||
ALICE'<b>S</b> EVIDENCE<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>Here</b>!” <b>cried</b> Alice, <b>quite</b> <b>forgetting</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>flurry</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>moment</b> <b>how</b> <b>large</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>grown</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>jumped</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>hurry</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>tipped</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> jury-<b>box</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>edge</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> skirt, upsetting <b>all</b> <b>the</b> jurymen <b>on</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>heads</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>crowd</b> <b>below</b>, <b>and</b> <b>there</b> <b>they</b> <b>lay</b> <b>sprawling</b> <b>about</b>, reminding <b>her</b> <b>very</b> <b>much</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> globe <b>of</b> goldfish <b>she</b> <b>had</b> accidentally <b>upset</b> <b>the</b> <b>week</b> <b>before</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b> BEG <b>your</b> <b>pardon</b>!” <b>she</b> <b>exclaimed</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>tone</b> <b>of</b> <b>great</b> <b>dismay</b>, <b>and</b> <b>began</b> <b>picking</b> <b>them</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b> <b>as</b> <b>quickly</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b>, <b>for</b> <b>the</b> <b>accident</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> goldfish <b>kept</b> <b>running</b> <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>vague</b> <b>sort</b> <b>of</b> <b>idea</b> <b>that</b> <b>they</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>collected</b> <b>at</b> <b>once</b> <b>and</b> <b>put</b> <b>back</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> jury-<b>box</b>, <b>or</b> <b>they</b> <b>would</b> <b>die</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>The</b> <b>trial</b> <b>cannot</b> proceed,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> <b>grave</b> <b>voice</b>, “<b>until</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> jurymen <b>are</b> <b>back</b> <b>in</b> <b>their</b> <b>proper</b> <b>places</b>— ALL,” <b>he</b> <b>repeated</b> <b>with</b> <b>great</b> emphasis, <b>looking</b> <b>hard</b> <b>at</b> Alice <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>do</b>.<br>
|
||||
Alice <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> jury-<b>box</b>, <b>and</b> <b>saw</b> <b>that</b>, <b>in</b> <b>her</b> <b>haste</b>, <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>put</b> <b>the</b> Lizard <b>in</b> <b>head</b> <b>downwards</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>poor</b> <b>little</b> <b>thing</b> <b>was</b> <b>waving</b> <b>its</b> <b>tail</b> <b>about</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>melancholy</b> <b>way</b>, <b>being</b> <b>quite</b> <b>unable</b> <b>to</b> <b>move</b>. <b>She</b> <b>soon</b> <b>got</b> <b>it</b> <b>out</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>put</b> <b>it</b> <b>right</b>; “<b>not</b> <b>that</b> <b>it</b> signifies <b>much</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>should</b> <b>think</b> <b>it</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> QUITE <b>as</b> <b>much</b> <b>use</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>trial</b> <b>one</b> <b>way</b> <b>up</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>other</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>As</b> <b>soon</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> jury <b>had</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>recovered</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>shock</b> <b>of</b> <b>being</b> <b>upset</b>, <b>and</b> <b>their</b> slates <b>and</b> pencils <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>found</b> <b>and</b> <b>handed</b> <b>back</b> <b>to</b> <b>them</b>, <b>they</b> <b>set</b> <b>to</b> <b>work</b> <b>very</b> diligently <b>to</b> <b>write</b> <b>out</b> <b>a</b> <b>history</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>accident</b>, <b>all</b> <b>except</b> <b>the</b> Lizard, <b>who</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>too</b> <b>much</b> <b>overcome</b> <b>to</b> <b>do</b> <b>anything</b> <b>but</b> <b>sit</b> <b>with</b> <b>its</b> <b>mouth</b> <b>open</b>, <b>gazing</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>roof</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> court.<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b> <b>do</b> <b>you</b> <b>know</b> <b>about</b> <b>this</b> <b>business</b>?” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nothing</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nothing</b> WHATEVER?” <b>persisted</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nothing</b> <b>whatever</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>very</b> <b>important</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> jury. <b>They</b> <b>were</b> <b>just</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>to</b> <b>write</b> <b>this</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> slates, <b>when</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>interrupted</b>: “UNimportant, <b>your</b> Majesty <b>means</b>, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>very</b> respectful <b>tone</b>, <b>but</b> <b>frowning</b> <b>and</b> <b>making</b> <b>faces</b> <b>at</b> <b>him</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>.<br>
|
||||
“UNimportant, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>, <b>I</b> <b>meant</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>said</b>, <b>and</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>to</b> <b>himself</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> undertone, “<b>important</b>—<b>unimportant</b>— <b>unimportant</b>—<b>important</b>—” <b>as</b> <b>if</b> <b>he</b> <b>were</b> <b>trying</b> <b>which</b> <b>word</b> <b>sounded</b> <b>best</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Some</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> jury <b>wrote</b> <b>it</b> <b>down</b> “<b>important</b>,” <b>and</b> <b>some</b> “<b>unimportant</b>.” Alice <b>could</b> <b>see</b> <b>this</b>, <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>was</b> <b>near</b> <b>enough</b> <b>to</b> <b>look</b> <b>over</b> <b>their</b> slates; “<b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>matter</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b>,” <b>she</b> <b>thought</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>At</b> <b>this</b> <b>moment</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>who</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>for</b> <b>some</b> <b>time</b> <b>busily</b> <b>writing</b> <b>in</b> <b>his</b> <b>note</b>-<b>book</b>, cackled <b>out</b> “<b>Silence</b>!” <b>and</b> <b>read</b> <b>out</b> <b>from</b> <b>his</b> <b>book</b>, “<b>Rule</b> <b>Forty</b>-<b>two</b>. ALL PERSONS MORE THAN <b>A</b> MILE HIGH <b>TO</b> LEAVE <b>THE</b> COURT.”<br>
|
||||
Everybody <b>looked</b> <b>at</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b>'<b>M</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>mile</b> <b>high</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>You</b> <b>are</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Nearly</b> <b>two</b> <b>miles</b> <b>high</b>,” <b>added</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Well</b>, <b>I</b> <b>shan</b>'<b>t</b> <b>go</b>, <b>at</b> <b>any</b> <b>rate</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice: “<b>besides</b>, <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>not</b> <b>a</b> <b>regular</b> <b>rule</b>: <b>you</b> <b>invented</b> <b>it</b> <b>just</b> <b>now</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>oldest</b> <b>rule</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>book</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>it</b> <b>ought</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>Number</b> <b>One</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>King</b> <b>turned</b> <b>pale</b>, <b>and</b> <b>shut</b> <b>his</b> <b>note</b>-<b>book</b> <b>hastily</b>. “<b>Consider</b> <b>your</b> verdict,” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> jury, <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>low</b>, <b>trembling</b> <b>voice</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>There</b>'<b>s</b> <b>more</b> <b>evidence</b> <b>to</b> <b>come</b> <b>yet</b>, <b>please</b> <b>your</b> Majesty,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit, <b>jumping</b> <b>up</b> <b>in</b> <b>a</b> <b>great</b> <b>hurry</b>; “<b>this</b> <b>paper</b> <b>has</b> <b>just</b> <b>been</b> <b>picked</b> <b>up</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>What</b>'<b>s</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>haven</b>'<b>t</b> <b>opened</b> <b>it</b> <b>yet</b>, <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit, “<b>but</b> <b>it</b> <b>seems</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>a</b> <b>letter</b>, <b>written</b> <b>by</b> <b>the</b> <b>prisoner</b> <b>to</b>—<b>to</b> <b>somebody</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>been</b> <b>that</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>unless</b> <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>written</b> <b>to</b> <b>nobody</b>, <b>which</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>usual</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b> <b>is</b> <b>it</b> <b>directed</b> <b>to</b>?” <b>said</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> jurymen.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>directed</b> <b>at</b> <b>all</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit; “<b>in</b> <b>fact</b>, <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>written</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> OUTSIDE.” <b>He</b> unfolded <b>the</b> <b>paper</b> <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>spoke</b>, <b>and</b> <b>added</b> “<b>It</b> <b>isn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>a</b> <b>letter</b>, <b>after</b> <b>all</b>: <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> <b>set</b> <b>of</b> <b>verses</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Are</b> <b>they</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>prisoner</b>'<b>s</b> handwriting?” <b>asked</b> <b>another</b> <b>of</b> <b>they</b> jurymen.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>not</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit, “<b>and</b> <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>queerest</b> <b>thing</b> <b>about</b> <b>it</b>.” (<b>The</b> jury <b>all</b> <b>looked</b> <b>puzzled</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>He</b> <b>must</b> <b>have</b> <b>imitated</b> <b>somebody</b> <b>else</b>'<b>s</b> <b>hand</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>. (<b>The</b> jury <b>all</b> <b>brightened</b> <b>up</b> <b>again</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>Please</b> <b>your</b> Majesty,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> Knave, “<b>I</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>write</b> <b>it</b>, <b>and</b> <b>they</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>prove</b> <b>I</b> <b>did</b>: <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>name</b> signed <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>you</b> <b>didn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>sign</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>that</b> <b>only</b> <b>makes</b> <b>the</b> <b>matter</b> <b>worse</b>. <b>You</b> MUST <b>have</b> <b>meant</b> <b>some</b> <b>mischief</b>, <b>or</b> <b>else</b> <b>you</b>'<b>d</b> <b>have</b> signed <b>your</b> <b>name</b> <b>like</b> <b>an</b> <b>honest</b> <b>man</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>general</b> <b>clapping</b> <b>of</b> <b>hands</b> <b>at</b> <b>this</b>: <b>it</b> <b>was</b> <b>the</b> <b>first</b> <b>really</b> <b>clever</b> <b>thing</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>had</b> <b>said</b> <b>that</b> <b>day</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b> PROVES <b>his</b> guilt,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b> proves <b>nothing</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>sort</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice. “<b>Why</b>, <b>you</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>even</b> <b>know</b> <b>what</b> <b>they</b>'<b>re</b> <b>about</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“Read <b>them</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>put</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> spectacles. “<b>Where</b> <b>shall</b> <b>I</b> <b>begin</b>, <b>please</b> <b>your</b> Majesty?” <b>he</b> <b>asked</b>.<br>
|
||||
“Begin <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>beginning</b>,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b> <b>gravely</b>, “<b>and</b> <b>go</b> <b>on</b> <b>till</b> <b>you</b> <b>come</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>end</b>: <b>then</b> <b>stop</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>These</b> <b>were</b> <b>the</b> <b>verses</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>read</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>They</b> <b>told</b> <b>me</b> <b>you</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>And</b> <b>mentioned</b> <b>me</b> <b>to</b> <b>him</b>:<br>
|
||||
<b>She</b> <b>gave</b> <b>me</b> <b>a</b> <b>good</b> <b>character</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>But</b> <b>said</b> <b>I</b> <b>could</b> <b>not</b> <b>swim</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>He</b> <b>sent</b> <b>them</b> <b>word</b> <b>I</b> <b>had</b> <b>not</b> <b>gone</b><br>
|
||||
(<b>We</b> <b>know</b> <b>it</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>true</b>):<br>
|
||||
<b>If</b> <b>she</b> <b>should</b> push <b>the</b> <b>matter</b> <b>on</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>What</b> <b>would</b> <b>become</b> <b>of</b> <b>you</b>?<br>
|
||||
<b>I</b> <b>gave</b> <b>her</b> <b>one</b>, <b>they</b> <b>gave</b> <b>him</b> <b>two</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>You</b> <b>gave</b> <b>us</b> <b>three</b> <b>or</b> <b>more</b>;<br>
|
||||
<b>They</b> <b>all</b> <b>returned</b> <b>from</b> <b>him</b> <b>to</b> <b>you</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Though</b> <b>they</b> <b>were</b> <b>mine</b> <b>before</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>If</b> <b>I</b> <b>or</b> <b>she</b> <b>should</b> <b>chance</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b><br>
|
||||
Involved <b>in</b> <b>this</b> <b>affair</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>He</b> trusts <b>to</b> <b>you</b> <b>to</b> <b>set</b> <b>them</b> <b>free</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Exactly</b> <b>as</b> <b>we</b> <b>were</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>My</b> <b>notion</b> <b>was</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b><br>
|
||||
(<b>Before</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>this</b> <b>fit</b>)<br>
|
||||
<b>An</b> obstacle <b>that</b> <b>came</b> <b>between</b><br>
|
||||
<b>Him</b>, <b>and</b> <b>ourselves</b>, <b>and</b> <b>it</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>Don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>let</b> <b>him</b> <b>know</b> <b>she</b> <b>liked</b> <b>them</b> <b>best</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>For</b> <b>this</b> <b>must</b> <b>ever</b> <b>be</b><br>
|
||||
<b>A</b> <b>secret</b>, <b>kept</b> <b>from</b> <b>all</b> <b>the</b> <b>rest</b>,<br>
|
||||
<b>Between</b> <b>yourself</b> <b>and</b> <b>me</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
“<b>That</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> <b>most</b> <b>important</b> <b>piece</b> <b>of</b> <b>evidence</b> <b>we</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>heard</b> <b>yet</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>rubbing</b> <b>his</b> <b>hands</b>; “<b>so</b> <b>now</b> <b>let</b> <b>the</b> jury—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>any</b> <b>one</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>can</b> <b>explain</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> Alice, (<b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>grown</b> <b>so</b> <b>large</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>last</b> <b>few</b> <b>minutes</b> <b>that</b> <b>she</b> <b>wasn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>a</b> <b>bit</b> <b>afraid</b> <b>of</b> <b>interrupting</b> <b>him</b>,) “<b>I</b>'<b>ll</b> <b>give</b> <b>him</b> sixpence. _<b>I</b>_ <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>an</b> atom <b>of</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>.”<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> jury <b>all</b> <b>wrote</b> <b>down</b> <b>on</b> <b>their</b> slates, “SHE <b>doesn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>believe</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>an</b> atom <b>of</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>but</b> <b>none</b> <b>of</b> <b>them</b> <b>attempted</b> <b>to</b> <b>explain</b> <b>the</b> <b>paper</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>If</b> <b>there</b>'<b>s</b> <b>no</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>it</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, “<b>that</b> saves <b>a</b> <b>world</b> <b>of</b> <b>trouble</b>, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>, <b>as</b> <b>we</b> <b>needn</b>'<b>t</b> <b>try</b> <b>to</b> <b>find</b> <b>any</b>. <b>And</b> <b>yet</b> <b>I</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> <b>know</b>,” <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b>, <b>spreading</b> <b>out</b> <b>the</b> <b>verses</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> knee, <b>and</b> <b>looking</b> <b>at</b> <b>them</b> <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>eye</b>; “<b>I</b> <b>seem</b> <b>to</b> <b>see</b> <b>some</b> <b>meaning</b> <b>in</b> <b>them</b>, <b>after</b> <b>all</b>. «—SAID <b>I</b> COULD <b>NOT</b> SWIM—» <b>you</b> <b>can</b>'<b>t</b> <b>swim</b>, <b>can</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>added</b>, <b>turning</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> Knave.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> Knave <b>shook</b> <b>his</b> <b>head</b> <b>sadly</b>. “<b>Do</b> <b>I</b> <b>look</b> <b>like</b> <b>it</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>said</b>. (<b>Which</b> <b>he</b> <b>certainly</b> <b>did</b> <b>NOT</b>, <b>being</b> <b>made</b> <b>entirely</b> <b>of</b> cardboard.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>All</b> <b>right</b>, <b>so</b> <b>far</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>and</b> <b>he</b> <b>went</b> <b>on</b> <b>muttering</b> <b>over</b> <b>the</b> <b>verses</b> <b>to</b> <b>himself</b>: “"WE KNOW IT <b>TO</b> BE TRUE—» <b>that</b>'<b>s</b> <b>the</b> jury, <b>of</b> <b>course</b>— «<b>I</b> GAVE HER ONE, THEY GAVE HIM TWO—» <b>why</b>, <b>that</b> <b>must</b> <b>be</b> <b>what</b> <b>he</b> <b>did</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> tarts, <b>you</b> <b>know</b>—”<br>
|
||||
“<b>But</b>, <b>it</b> <b>goes</b> <b>on</b> «THEY ALL RETURNED FROM HIM <b>TO</b> YOU,"“ <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Why</b>, <b>there</b> <b>they</b> <b>are</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b> triumphantly, <b>pointing</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> tarts <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>table</b>. “<b>Nothing</b> <b>can</b> <b>be</b> <b>clearer</b> <b>than</b> THAT. <b>Then</b> <b>again</b>—"BEFORE SHE HAD THIS FIT—» <b>you</b> <b>never</b> <b>had</b> <b>fits</b>, <b>my</b> <b>dear</b>, <b>I</b> <b>think</b>?” <b>he</b> <b>said</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Never</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> furiously, <b>throwing</b> <b>an</b> inkstand <b>at</b> <b>the</b> Lizard <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>spoke</b>. (<b>The</b> <b>unfortunate</b> <b>little</b> <b>Bill</b> <b>had</b> <b>left</b> <b>off</b> <b>writing</b> <b>on</b> <b>his</b> slate <b>with</b> <b>one</b> <b>finger</b>, <b>as</b> <b>he</b> <b>found</b> <b>it</b> <b>made</b> <b>no</b> <b>mark</b>; <b>but</b> <b>he</b> <b>now</b> <b>hastily</b> <b>began</b> <b>again</b>, <b>using</b> <b>the</b> <b>ink</b>, <b>that</b> <b>was</b> <b>trickling</b> <b>down</b> <b>his</b> <b>face</b>, <b>as</b> <b>long</b> <b>as</b> <b>it</b> <b>lasted</b>.)<br>
|
||||
“<b>Then</b> <b>the</b> <b>words</b> <b>don</b>'<b>t</b> FIT <b>you</b>,” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>King</b>, <b>looking</b> <b>round</b> <b>the</b> court <b>with</b> <b>a</b> <b>smile</b>. <b>There</b> <b>was</b> <b>a</b> <b>dead</b> <b>silence</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>It</b>'<b>s</b> <b>a</b> pun!” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>added</b> <b>in</b> <b>an</b> <b>offended</b> <b>tone</b>, <b>and</b> <b>everybody</b> <b>laughed</b>, “<b>Let</b> <b>the</b> jury <b>consider</b> <b>their</b> verdict,” <b>the</b> <b>King</b> <b>said</b>, <b>for</b> <b>about</b> <b>the</b> <b>twentieth</b> <b>time</b> <b>that</b> <b>day</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>No</b>, <b>no</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>. “Sentence <b>first</b>—verdict <b>afterwards</b>.”<br>
|
||||
“Stuff <b>and</b> <b>nonsense</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice <b>loudly</b>. “<b>The</b> <b>idea</b> <b>of</b> <b>having</b> <b>the</b> sentence <b>first</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Hold</b> <b>your</b> <b>tongue</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>, <b>turning</b> purple.<br>
|
||||
“<b>I</b> <b>won</b>'<b>t</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Off</b> <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b>!” <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> <b>shouted</b> <b>at</b> <b>the</b> <b>top</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>voice</b>. Nobody <b>moved</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Who</b> <b>cares</b> <b>for</b> <b>you</b>?” <b>said</b> Alice, (<b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>grown</b> <b>to</b> <b>her</b> <b>full</b> <b>size</b> <b>by</b> <b>this</b> <b>time</b>.) “<b>You</b>'<b>re</b> <b>nothing</b> <b>but</b> <b>a</b> <b>pack</b> <b>of</b> cards!”<br>
|
||||
<b>At</b> <b>this</b> <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>pack</b> <b>rose</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>, <b>and</b> <b>came</b> <b>flying</b> <b>down</b> <b>upon</b> <b>her</b>: <b>she</b> <b>gave</b> <b>a</b> <b>little</b> <b>scream</b>, <b>half</b> <b>of</b> <b>fright</b> <b>and</b> <b>half</b> <b>of</b> <b>anger</b>, <b>and</b> <b>tried</b> <b>to</b> <b>beat</b> <b>them</b> <b>off</b>, <b>and</b> <b>found</b> <b>herself</b> <b>lying</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <b>bank</b>, <b>with</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>lap</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b>, <b>who</b> <b>was</b> <b>gently</b> <b>brushing</b> <b>away</b> <b>some</b> <b>dead</b> <b>leaves</b> <b>that</b> <b>had</b> fluttered <b>down</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>trees</b> <b>upon</b> <b>her</b> <b>face</b>.<br>
|
||||
“<b>Wake</b> <b>up</b>, Alice <b>dear</b>!” <b>said</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b>; “<b>Why</b>, <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>long</b> <b>sleep</b> <b>you</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>had</b>!”<br>
|
||||
“<b>Oh</b>, <b>I</b>'<b>ve</b> <b>had</b> <b>such</b> <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>dream</b>!” <b>said</b> Alice, <b>and</b> <b>she</b> <b>told</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>remember</b> <b>them</b>, <b>all</b> <b>these</b> <b>strange</b> Adventures <b>of</b> <b>hers</b> <b>that</b> <b>you</b> <b>have</b> <b>just</b> <b>been</b> <b>reading</b> <b>about</b>; <b>and</b> <b>when</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>finished</b>, <b>her</b> <b>sister</b> kissed <b>her</b>, <b>and</b> <b>said</b>, “<b>It</b> WAS <b>a</b> <b>curious</b> <b>dream</b>, <b>dear</b>, <b>certainly</b>: <b>but</b> <b>now</b> <b>run</b> <b>in</b> <b>to</b> <b>your</b> <b>tea</b>; <b>it</b>'<b>s</b> <b>getting</b> <b>late</b>.” <b>So</b> Alice <b>got</b> <b>up</b> <b>and</b> <b>ran</b> <b>off</b>, <b>thinking</b> <b>while</b> <b>she</b> <b>ran</b>, <b>as</b> <b>well</b> <b>she</b> <b>might</b>, <b>what</b> <b>a</b> <b>wonderful</b> <b>dream</b> <b>it</b> <b>had</b> <b>been</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>But</b> <b>her</b> <b>sister</b> <b>sat</b> <b>still</b> <b>just</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>left</b> <b>her</b>, <b>leaning</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>on</b> <b>her</b> <b>hand</b>, <b>watching</b> <b>the</b> <b>setting</b> <b>sun</b>, <b>and</b> <b>thinking</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> Alice <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> <b>wonderful</b> Adventures, <b>till</b> <b>she</b> <b>too</b> <b>began</b> <b>dreaming</b> <b>after</b> <b>a</b> <b>fashion</b>, <b>and</b> <b>this</b> <b>was</b> <b>her</b> <b>dream</b>:—<br>
|
||||
<b>First</b>, <b>she</b> <b>dreamed</b> <b>of</b> <b>little</b> Alice <b>herself</b>, <b>and</b> <b>once</b> <b>again</b> <b>the</b> <b>tiny</b> <b>hands</b> <b>were</b> <b>clasped</b> <b>upon</b> <b>her</b> knee, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>bright</b> <b>eager</b> <b>eyes</b> <b>were</b> <b>looking</b> <b>up</b> <b>into</b> <b>hers</b>—<b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> <b>very</b> <b>tones</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>voice</b>, <b>and</b> <b>see</b> <b>that</b> <b>queer</b> <b>little</b> toss <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>head</b> <b>to</b> <b>keep</b> <b>back</b> <b>the</b> <b>wandering</b> <b>hair</b> <b>that</b> WOULD <b>always</b> <b>get</b> <b>into</b> <b>her</b> <b>eyes</b>—<b>and</b> <b>still</b> <b>as</b> <b>she</b> <b>listened</b>, <b>or</b> <b>seemed</b> <b>to</b> <b>listen</b>, <b>the</b> <b>whole</b> <b>place</b> <b>around</b> <b>her</b> <b>became</b> <b>alive</b> <b>the</b> <b>strange</b> <b>creatures</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>little</b> <b>sister</b>'<b>s</b> <b>dream</b>.<br>
|
||||
<b>The</b> <b>long</b> <b>grass</b> <b>rustled</b> <b>at</b> <b>her</b> <b>feet</b> <b>as</b> <b>the</b> <b>White</b> Rabbit <b>hurried</b> <b>by</b>—<b>the</b> <b>frightened</b> Mouse splashed <b>his</b> <b>way</b> <b>through</b> <b>the</b> neighbouring <b>pool</b>—<b>she</b> <b>could</b> <b>hear</b> <b>the</b> rattle <b>of</b> <b>the</b> teacups <b>as</b> <b>the</b> March Hare <b>and</b> <b>his</b> <b>friends</b> shared <b>their</b> <b>never</b>-<b>ending</b> <b>meal</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>shrill</b> <b>voice</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b> ordering <b>off</b> <b>her</b> <b>unfortunate</b> <b>guests</b> <b>to</b> execution—<b>once</b> <b>more</b> <b>the</b> pig-baby <b>was</b> sneezing <b>on</b> <b>the</b> Duchess'<b>s</b> knee, <b>while</b> <b>plates</b> <b>and</b> <b>dishes</b> <b>crashed</b> <b>around</b> <b>it</b>—<b>once</b> <b>more</b> <b>the</b> <b>shriek</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>the</b> <b>squeaking</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Lizard'<b>s</b> slate-pencil, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>choking</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>suppressed</b> guinea-pigs, <b>filled</b> <b>the</b> <b>air</b>, <b>mixed</b> <b>up</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>distant</b> sobs <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>miserable</b> Mock Turtle.<br>
|
||||
<b>So</b> <b>she</b> <b>sat</b> <b>on</b>, <b>with</b> <b>closed</b> <b>eyes</b>, <b>and</b> <b>half</b> <b>believed</b> <b>herself</b> <b>in</b> Wonderland, <b>though</b> <b>she</b> <b>knew</b> <b>she</b> <b>had</b> <b>but</b> <b>to</b> <b>open</b> <b>them</b> <b>again</b>, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>would</b> <b>change</b> <b>to</b> <b>dull</b> reality—<b>the</b> <b>grass</b> <b>would</b> <b>be</b> <b>only</b> <b>rustling</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>wind</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>pool</b> <b>rippling</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>waving</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>reeds</b>—<b>the</b> <b>rattling</b> teacups <b>would</b> <b>change</b> <b>to</b> <b>tinkling</b> <b>sheep</b>- <b>bells</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>Queen</b>'<b>s</b> <b>shrill</b> <b>cries</b> <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>voice</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> shepherd boy—<b>and</b> <b>the</b> sneeze <b>of</b> <b>the</b> baby, <b>the</b> <b>shriek</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Gryphon, <b>and</b> <b>all</b> <b>thy</b> <b>other</b> <b>queer</b> <b>noises</b>, <b>would</b> <b>change</b> (<b>she</b> <b>knew</b>) <b>to</b> <b>the</b> <b>confused</b> <b>clamour</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>busy</b> <b>farm</b>-<b>yard</b>—<b>while</b> <b>the</b> lowing <b>of</b> <b>the</b> cattle <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>distance</b> <b>would</b> <b>take</b> <b>the</b> <b>place</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> Mock Turtle'<b>s</b> <b>heavy</b> sobs.<br>
|
||||
Lastly, <b>she</b> <b>pictured</b> <b>to</b> <b>herself</b> <b>how</b> <b>this</b> <b>same</b> <b>little</b> <b>sister</b> <b>of</b> <b>hers</b> <b>would</b>, <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>after</b>-<b>time</b>, <b>be</b> <b>herself</b> <b>a</b> <b>grown</b> <b>woman</b>; <b>and</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>keep</b>, <b>through</b> <b>all</b> <b>her</b> riper <b>years</b>, <b>the</b> <b>simple</b> <b>and</b> loving <b>heart</b> <b>of</b> <b>her</b> <b>childhood</b>: <b>and</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>gather</b> <b>about</b> <b>her</b> <b>other</b> <b>little</b> <b>children</b>, <b>and</b> <b>make</b> THEIR <b>eyes</b> <b>bright</b> <b>and</b> <b>eager</b> <b>with</b> <b>many</b> <b>a</b> <b>strange</b> <b>tale</b>, <b>perhaps</b> <b>even</b> <b>with</b> <b>the</b> <b>dream</b> <b>of</b> Wonderland <b>of</b> <b>long</b> <b>ago</b>: <b>and</b> <b>how</b> <b>she</b> <b>would</b> <b>feel</b> <b>with</b> <b>all</b> <b>their</b> <b>simple</b> <b>sorrows</b>, <b>and</b> <b>find</b> <b>a</b> <b>pleasure</b> <b>in</b> <b>all</b> <b>their</b> <b>simple</b> joys, <b>remembering</b> <b>her</b> <b>own</b> <b>child</b>-<b>life</b>, <b>and</b> <b>the</b> <b>happy</b> <b>summer</b> <b>days</b>.<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
</body></html>
|
||||
Loading…
Reference in New Issue
Block a user