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ALICE'SADVENTURESINWONDERLAND

LewisCarroll

THEMILLENNIUMFULCRUMEDITION3.0

CHAPTERI

DowntheRabbit-Hole

Alicewasbeginningtogetverytiredofsittingbyhersisteronthebank,andofhavingnothingtodo:onceortwiceshehadpeepedintothebookhersisterwasreading,butithadnopicturesorconversationsinit,`andwhatistheuseofabook,'thoughtAlice`withoutpicturesorconversation?'

Soshewasconsideringinherownmind(aswellasshecould,forthehotdaymadeherfeelverysleepyandstupid),whether

thepleasureofmakingadaisy-chainwouldbeworththetroubleofgettingupandpickingthedaisies,whensuddenlyaWhiteRabbitwithpinkeyesranclosebyher.

TherewasnothingsoVERYremarkableinthat;nordidAlicethinkitsoVERYmuchoutofthewaytoheartheRabbitsaytoitself,`Ohdear!Ohdear!Ishallbelate!'(whenshethoughtitoverafterwards,itoccurredtoherthatsheoughttohavewonderedatthis,butatthetimeitallseemedquitenatural);butwhentheRabbitactuallyTOOKAWATCHOUTOFITSWAISTCOAT-POCKET,andlookedatit,andthenhurriedon,Alicestartedtoherfeet,foritflashedacrosshermindthatshehadneverbeforeseenarabbitwitheitherawaistcoat-pocket,orawatchto

takeoutofit,andburningwithcuriosity,sheranacrossthefieldafterit,andfortunatelywasjustintimetoseeitpopdownalargerabbit-holeunderthehedge.

InanothermomentdownwentAliceafterit,neveronceconsideringhowintheworldshewastogetoutagain.

Therabbit-holewentstraightonlikeatunnelforsomeway,andthendippedsuddenlydown,sosuddenlythatAlicehadnotamomenttothinkaboutstoppingherselfbeforeshefoundherself

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fallingdownaverydeepwell.

Eitherthewellwasverydeep,orshefellveryslowly,forshehadplentyoftimeasshewentdowntolookaboutherandtowonderwhatwasgoingtohappennext.First,shetriedtolookdownandmakeoutwhatshewascomingto,butitwastoodarktoseeanything;thenshelookedatthesidesofthewell,andnoticedthattheywerefilledwithcupboardsandbook-shelves;hereandthereshesawmapsandpictureshunguponpegs.Shetookdownajarfromoneoftheshelvesasshepassed;itwaslabelled`ORANGEMARMALADE',buttohergreatdisappointmentitwasempty:shedidnotliketodropthejarforfearofkillingsomebody,somanagedtoputitintooneofthecupboardsasshefellpastit.

`Well!'thoughtAlicetoherself,`aftersuchafallasthis,Ishallthinknothingoftumblingdownstairs!Howbravethey'llallthinkmeathome!Why,Iwouldn'tsayanythingaboutit,evenifIfelloffthetopofthehouse!'(Whichwasverylikelytrue.)

Down,down,down.WouldthefallNEVERcometoanend!`IwonderhowmanymilesI'vefallenbythistime?'shesaidaloud.`Imustbegettingsomewherenearthecentreoftheearth.Let

mesee:thatwouldbefourthousandmilesdown,Ithink--'(for,yousee,Alicehadlearntseveralthingsofthissortinherlessonsintheschoolroom,andthoughthiswasnotaVERYgoodopportunityforshowingoffherknowledge,astherewasnoonetolistentoher,stillitwasgoodpracticetosayitover)`--yes,that'sabouttherightdistance--butthenIwonderwhatLatitudeorLongitudeI'vegotto?'(AlicehadnoideawhatLatitudewas,orLongitudeeither,butthoughttheywerenicegrandwordstosay.)

Presentlyshebeganagain.`IwonderifIshallfallrightTHROUGHtheearth!Howfunnyit'llseemtocomeoutamongthepeoplethatwalkwiththeirheadsdownward!TheAntipathies,I

think--'(shewasrathergladthereWASnoonelistening,thistime,asitdidn'tsoundatalltherightword)`--butIshallhavetoaskthemwhatthenameofthecountryis,youknow.Please,Ma'am,isthisNewZealandorAustralia?'(andshetriedtocurtseyasshespoke--fancyCURTSEYINGasyou'refallingthroughtheair!Doyouthinkyoucouldmanageit?)`Andwhatanignorantlittlegirlshe'llthinkmeforasking!No,it'llneverdotoask:perhapsIshallseeitwrittenupsomewhere.'

Down,down,down.Therewasnothingelsetodo,soAlicesoonbegantalkingagain.`Dinah'llmissmeverymuchto-night,Ishouldthink!'(Dinahwasthecat.)`Ihopethey'llrememberhersaucerofmilkattea-time.Dinahmydear!Iwishyouwere

downherewithme!Therearenomiceintheair,I'mafraid,butyoumightcatchabat,andthat'sverylikeamouse,youknow.Butdocatseatbats,Iwonder?'AndhereAlicebegantogetrathersleepy,andwentonsayingtoherself,inadreamysortofway,`Docatseatbats?Docatseatbats?'andsometimes,`Dobatseatcats?'for,yousee,asshecouldn'tanswereitherquestion,itdidn'tmuchmatterwhichwaysheputit.Shefeltthatshewasdozingoff,andhadjustbeguntodreamthatshewaswalkinghandinhandwithDinah,andsayingtoherveryearnestly,`Now,Dinah,tellmethetruth:didyouevereata

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bat?'whensuddenly,thump!thump!downshecameuponaheapofsticksanddryleaves,andthefallwasover.

Alicewasnotabithurt,andshejumpedupontoherfeetinamoment:shelookedup,butitwasalldarkoverhead;beforeherwasanotherlongpassage,andtheWhiteRabbitwasstillinsight,hurryingdownit.Therewasnotamomenttobelost:awaywentAlicelikethewind,andwasjustintimetohearitsay,asitturnedacorner,`Ohmyearsandwhiskers,howlateit'sgetting!'Shewasclosebehinditwhensheturnedthecorner,buttheRabbitwasnolongertobeseen:shefoundherselfinalong,lowhall,whichwaslitupbyarowoflampshangingfromtheroof.

Thereweredoorsallroundthehall,buttheywerealllocked;andwhenAlicehadbeenallthewaydownonesideanduptheother,tryingeverydoor,shewalkedsadlydownthemiddle,wonderinghowshewasevertogetoutagain.

Suddenlyshecameuponalittlethree-leggedtable,allmadeofsolidglass;therewasnothingonitexceptatinygoldenkey,andAlice'sfirstthoughtwasthatitmightbelongtooneofthedoorsofthehall;but,alas!eitherthelocksweretoolarge,orthekeywastoosmall,butatanyrateitwouldnotopenanyof

them.However,onthesecondtimeround,shecameuponalowcurtainshehadnotnoticedbefore,andbehinditwasalittledooraboutfifteenincheshigh:shetriedthelittlegoldenkeyinthelock,andtohergreatdelightitfitted!

Aliceopenedthedoorandfoundthatitledintoasmallpassage,notmuchlargerthanarat-hole:shekneltdownandlookedalongthepassageintotheloveliestgardenyoueversaw.Howshelongedtogetoutofthatdarkhall,andwanderaboutamongthosebedsofbrightflowersandthosecoolfountains,butshecouldnotevengetherheadthoughthedoorway;`andevenifmyheadwouldgothrough,'thoughtpoorAlice,`itwouldbeofverylittleusewithoutmyshoulders.Oh,howIwish

Icouldshutuplikeatelescope!IthinkIcould,ifIonlyknowhowtobegin.'For,yousee,somanyout-of-the-waythingshadhappenedlately,thatAlicehadbeguntothinkthatveryfewthingsindeedwerereallyimpossible.

Thereseemedtobenouseinwaitingbythelittledoor,soshewentbacktothetable,halfhopingshemightfindanotherkeyonit,oratanyrateabookofrulesforshuttingpeopleupliketelescopes:thistimeshefoundalittlebottleonit,(`whichcertainlywasnotherebefore,'saidAlice,)androundtheneckofthebottlewasapaperlabel,withthewords`DRINKME'beautifullyprintedonitinlargeletters.

Itwasallverywelltosay`Drinkme,'butthewiselittleAlicewasnotgoingtodoTHATinahurry.`No,I'lllookfirst,'shesaid,`andseewhetherit'smarked"poison"ornot';forshehadreadseveralnicelittlehistoriesaboutchildrenwhohadgotburnt,andeatenupbywildbeastsandotherunpleasantthings,allbecausetheyWOULDnotrememberthesimplerulestheirfriendshadtaughtthem:suchas,thatared-hotpokerwillburnyouifyouholdittoolong;andthatifyoucutyourfingerVERYdeeplywithaknife,itusuallybleeds;andshehadneverforgottenthat,ifyoudrinkmuchfromabottlemarked

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`poison,'itisalmostcertaintodisagreewithyou,soonerorlater.

However,thisbottlewasNOTmarked`poison,'soAliceventuredtotasteit,andfindingitverynice,(ithad,infact,asortofmixedflavourofcherry-tart,custard,pine-apple,roastturkey,toffee,andhotbutteredtoast,)sheverysoonfinisheditoff.

*******

******

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`Whatacuriousfeeling!'saidAlice;`Imustbeshuttinguplikeatelescope.'

Andsoitwasindeed:shewasnowonlytenincheshigh,andherfacebrightenedupatthethoughtthatshewasnowtherightsizeforgoingthroughthelittledoorintothatlovelygarden.First,however,shewaitedforafewminutestoseeifshewasgoingtoshrinkanyfurther:shefeltalittlenervousaboutthis;`foritmightend,youknow,'saidAlicetoherself,`inmy

goingoutaltogether,likeacandle.IwonderwhatIshouldbelikethen?'Andshetriedtofancywhattheflameofacandleislikeafterthecandleisblownout,forshecouldnotremembereverhavingseensuchathing.

Afterawhile,findingthatnothingmorehappened,shedecidedongoingintothegardenatonce;but,alasforpoorAlice!whenshegottothedoor,shefoundshehadforgottenthelittlegoldenkey,andwhenshewentbacktothetableforit,shefoundshecouldnotpossiblyreachit:shecouldseeitquiteplainlythroughtheglass,andshetriedherbesttoclimbuponeofthelegsofthetable,butitwastooslippery;andwhenshehadtiredherselfoutwithtrying,

thepoorlittlethingsatdownandcried.

`Come,there'snouseincryinglikethat!'saidAlicetoherself,rathersharply;`Iadviseyoutoleaveoffthisminute!'Shegenerallygaveherselfverygoodadvice,(thoughsheveryseldomfollowedit),andsometimesshescoldedherselfsoseverelyastobringtearsintohereyes;andoncesherememberedtryingtoboxherownearsforhavingcheatedherselfinagameofcroquetshewasplayingagainstherself,forthiscuriouschildwasveryfondofpretendingtobetwopeople.`Butit'snousenow,'thoughtpoorAlice,`topretendtobetwopeople!Why,there'shardlyenoughofmelefttomakeONErespectableperson!'

Soonhereyefellonalittleglassboxthatwaslyingunderthetable:sheopenedit,andfoundinitaverysmallcake,onwhichthewords`EATME'werebeautifullymarkedincurrants.`Well,I'lleatit,'saidAlice,`andifitmakesmegrowlarger,Icanreachthekey;andifitmakesmegrowsmaller,Icancreepunderthedoor;soeitherwayI'llgetintothegarden,andIdon'tcarewhichhappens!'

Sheatealittlebit,andsaidanxiouslytoherself,`Which

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way?Whichway?',holdingherhandonthetopofherheadtofeelwhichwayitwasgrowing,andshewasquitesurprisedtofindthatsheremainedthesamesize:tobesure,thisgenerallyhappenswhenoneeatscake,butAlicehadgotsomuchintothewayofexpectingnothingbutout-of-the-waythingstohappen,thatitseemedquitedullandstupidforlifetogooninthecommonway.

Soshesettowork,andverysoonfinishedoffthecake.

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CHAPTERII

ThePoolofTears

`Curiouserandcuriouser!'criedAlice(shewassomuchsurprised,thatforthemomentshequiteforgothowtospeakgoodEnglish);`nowI'mopeningoutlikethelargesttelescopethateverwas!Good-bye,feet!'(forwhenshelookeddownatherfeet,theyseemedtobealmostoutofsight,theyweregettingsofaroff).`Oh,mypoorlittlefeet,Iwonderwhowillputonyourshoesandstockingsforyounow,dears?I'msure_I_shan'tbeable!Ishallbeagreatdealtoofarofftotroublemyselfaboutyou:youmustmanagethebestwayyoucan;--butImustbekindtothem,'thoughtAlice,`orperhapstheywon'twalkthewayIwanttogo!Letmesee:I'llgivethemanewpairofbootseveryChristmas.'

Andshewentonplanningtoherselfhowshewouldmanageit.`Theymustgobythecarrier,'shethought;`andhowfunnyit'llseem,sendingpresentstoone'sownfeet!Andhowoddthedirectionswilllook!

ALICE'SRIGHTFOOT,ESQ.HEARTHRUG,NEARTHEFENDER,(WITHALICE'SLOVE).

Ohdear,whatnonsenseI'mtalking!'

Justthenherheadstruckagainsttheroofofthehall:in

factshewasnowmorethanninefeethigh,andsheatoncetookupthelittlegoldenkeyandhurriedofftothegardendoor.

PoorAlice!Itwasasmuchasshecoulddo,lyingdownononeside,tolookthroughintothegardenwithoneeye;buttogetthroughwasmorehopelessthanever:shesatdownandbegantocryagain.

`Yououghttobeashamedofyourself,'saidAlice,`agreatgirllikeyou,'(shemightwellsaythis),`togooncryingin

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thisway!Stopthismoment,Itellyou!'Butshewentonallthesame,sheddinggallonsoftears,untiltherewasalargepoolallroundher,aboutfourinchesdeepandreachinghalfdownthehall.

Afteratimesheheardalittlepatteringoffeetinthedistance,andshehastilydriedhereyestoseewhatwascoming.ItwastheWhiteRabbitreturning,splendidlydressed,withapairofwhitekidglovesinonehandandalargefanintheother:hecametrottingalonginagreathurry,mutteringtohimselfashecame,`Oh!theDuchess,theDuchess!Oh!won'tshebesavageifI'vekeptherwaiting!'Alicefeltsodesperatethatshewasreadytoaskhelpofanyone;so,whentheRabbitcamenearher,shebegan,inalow,timidvoice,`Ifyouplease,sir--'TheRabbitstartedviolently,droppedthewhitekidglovesandthefan,andskurriedawayintothedarknessashardashecouldgo.

Alicetookupthefanandgloves,and,asthehallwasveryhot,shekeptfanningherselfallthetimeshewentontalking:`Dear,dear!Howqueereverythingisto-day!Andyesterdaythingswentonjustasusual.IwonderifI'vebeenchangedinthenight?Letmethink:wasIthesamewhenIgotupthismorning?IalmostthinkIcanrememberfeelingalittle

different.ButifI'mnotthesame,thenextquestionis,WhointheworldamI?Ah,THAT'Sthegreatpuzzle!'Andshebeganthinkingoverallthechildrensheknewthatwereofthesameageasherself,toseeifshecouldhavebeenchangedforanyofthem.

`I'msureI'mnotAda,'shesaid,`forherhairgoesinsuchlongringlets,andminedoesn'tgoinringletsatall;andI'msureIcan'tbeMabel,forIknowallsortsofthings,andshe,oh!sheknowssuchaverylittle!Besides,SHE'Sshe,andI'mI,and--ohdear,howpuzzlingitallis!I'lltryifIknowallthethingsIusedtoknow.Letmesee:fourtimesfiveistwelve,andfourtimessixisthirteen,andfourtimessevenis--ohdear!

Ishallnevergettotwentyatthatrate!However,theMultiplicationTabledoesn'tsignify:let'stryGeography.LondonisthecapitalofParis,andParisisthecapitalofRome,andRome--no,THAT'Sallwrong,I'mcertain!ImusthavebeenchangedforMabel!I'lltryandsay"Howdoththelittle--"'andshecrossedherhandsonherlapasifsheweresayinglessons,andbegantorepeatit,buthervoicesoundedhoarseandstrange,andthewordsdidnotcomethesameastheyusedtodo:--

`HowdoththelittlecrocodileImprovehisshiningtail,AndpourthewatersoftheNileOneverygoldenscale!

`Howcheerfullyheseemstogrin,Howneatlyspreadhisclaws,AndwelcomelittlefishesinWithgentlysmilingjaws!'

`I'msurethosearenottherightwords,'saidpoorAlice,andhereyesfilledwithtearsagainasshewenton,`ImustbeMabelafterall,andIshallhavetogoandliveinthatpokylittlehouse,andhavenexttonotoystoplaywith,andoh!everso

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manylessonstolearn!No,I'vemadeupmymindaboutit;ifI'mMabel,I'llstaydownhere!It'llbenousetheirputtingtheirheadsdownandsaying"Comeupagain,dear!"Ishallonlylookupandsay"WhoamIthen?Tellmethatfirst,andthen,ifIlikebeingthatperson,I'llcomeup:ifnot,I'llstaydownheretillI'msomebodyelse"--but,ohdear!'criedAlice,withasuddenburstoftears,`IdowishtheyWOULDputtheirheadsdown!IamsoVERYtiredofbeingallalonehere!'

Asshesaidthisshelookeddownatherhands,andwassurprisedtoseethatshehadputononeoftheRabbit'slittlewhitekidgloveswhileshewastalking.`HowCANIhavedonethat?'shethought.`Imustbegrowingsmallagain.'Shegotupandwenttothetabletomeasureherselfbyit,andfoundthat,asnearlyasshecouldguess,shewasnowabouttwofeethigh,andwasgoingonshrinkingrapidly:shesoonfoundoutthatthecauseofthiswasthefanshewasholding,andshedroppedithastily,justintimetoavoidshrinkingawayaltogether.

`ThatWASanarrowescape!'saidAlice,agooddealfrightenedatthesuddenchange,butverygladtofindherselfstillinexistence;`andnowforthegarden!'andsheranwithallspeedbacktothelittledoor:but,alas!thelittledoorwasshutagain,andthelittlegoldenkeywaslyingontheglasstableas

before,`andthingsareworsethanever,'thoughtthepoorchild,`forIneverwassosmallasthisbefore,never!AndIdeclareit'stoobad,thatitis!'

Asshesaidthesewordsherfootslipped,andinanothermoment,splash!shewasuptoherchininsaltwater.Herfirstideawasthatshehadsomehowfallenintothesea,`andinthatcaseIcangobackbyrailway,'shesaidtoherself.(Alicehadbeentotheseasideonceinherlife,andhadcometothegeneralconclusion,thatwhereveryougotoontheEnglishcoastyoufindanumberofbathingmachinesinthesea,somechildrendigginginthesandwithwoodenspades,thenarowoflodginghouses,andbehindthemarailwaystation.)However,shesoonmadeoutthat

shewasinthepooloftearswhichshehadweptwhenshewasninefeethigh.

`IwishIhadn'tcriedsomuch!'saidAlice,assheswamabout,tryingtofindherwayout.`Ishallbepunishedforitnow,Isuppose,bybeingdrownedinmyowntears!ThatWILLbeaqueerthing,tobesure!However,everythingisqueerto-day.'

Justthensheheardsomethingsplashingaboutinthepoolalittlewayoff,andsheswamnearertomakeoutwhatitwas:atfirstshethoughtitmustbeawalrusorhippopotamus,butthensherememberedhowsmallshewasnow,andshesoonmadeoutthatitwasonlyamousethathadslippedinlikeherself.

`Woulditbeofanyuse,now,'thoughtAlice,`tospeaktothismouse?Everythingissoout-of-the-waydownhere,thatIshouldthinkverylikelyitcantalk:atanyrate,there'snoharmintrying.'Soshebegan:`OMouse,doyouknowthewayoutofthispool?Iamverytiredofswimmingabouthere,OMouse!'(Alicethoughtthismustbetherightwayofspeakingtoamouse:shehadneverdonesuchathingbefore,butsherememberedhavingseeninherbrother'sLatinGrammar,`Amouse--ofamouse--toamouse--amouse--Omouse!')TheMouselookedatherrather

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inquisitively,andseemedtohertowinkwithoneofitslittleeyes,butitsaidnothing.

`Perhapsitdoesn'tunderstandEnglish,'thoughtAlice;`Idaresayit'saFrenchmouse,comeoverwithWilliamtheConqueror.'(For,withallherknowledgeofhistory,Alicehadnoveryclearnotionhowlongagoanythinghadhappened.)Soshebeganagain:`Ouestmachatte?'whichwasthefirstsentenceinherFrenchlesson-book.TheMousegaveasuddenleapoutofthewater,andseemedtoquiveralloverwithfright.`Oh,Ibegyourpardon!'criedAlicehastily,afraidthatshehadhurtthepooranimal'sfeelings.`Iquiteforgotyoudidn'tlikecats.'

`Notlikecats!'criedtheMouse,inashrill,passionatevoice.`WouldYOUlikecatsifyouwereme?'

`Well,perhapsnot,'saidAliceinasoothingtone:`don'tbeangryaboutit.AndyetIwishIcouldshowyouourcatDinah:Ithinkyou'dtakeafancytocatsifyoucouldonlyseeher.Sheissuchadearquietthing,'Alicewenton,halftoherself,assheswamlazilyaboutinthepool,`andshesitspurringsonicelybythefire,lickingherpawsandwashingherface--andsheissuchanicesoftthingtonurse--andshe'ssuchacapitaloneforcatchingmice--oh,Ibegyourpardon!'criedAliceagain,

forthistimetheMousewasbristlingallover,andshefeltcertainitmustbereallyoffended.`Wewon'ttalkaboutheranymoreifyou'drathernot.'

`Weindeed!'criedtheMouse,whowastremblingdowntotheendofhistail.`AsifIwouldtalkonsuchasubject!OurfamilyalwaysHATEDcats:nasty,low,vulgarthings!Don'tletmehearthenameagain!'

`Iwon'tindeed!'saidAlice,inagreathurrytochangethesubjectofconversation.`Areyou--areyoufond--of--ofdogs?'TheMousedidnotanswer,soAlicewentoneagerly:`ThereissuchanicelittledognearourhouseIshouldliketoshowyou!

Alittlebright-eyedterrier,youknow,withoh,suchlongcurlybrownhair!Andit'llfetchthingswhenyouthrowthem,andit'llsitupandbegforitsdinner,andallsortsofthings--Ican'trememberhalfofthem--anditbelongstoafarmer,youknow,andhesaysit'ssouseful,it'sworthahundredpounds!Hesaysitkillsalltheratsand--ohdear!'criedAliceinasorrowfultone,`I'mafraidI'veoffendeditagain!'FortheMousewasswimmingawayfromherashardasitcouldgo,andmakingquiteacommotioninthepoolasitwent.

Soshecalledsoftlyafterit,`Mousedear!Docomebackagain,andwewon'ttalkaboutcatsordogseither,ifyoudon'tlikethem!'WhentheMouseheardthis,itturnedroundandswam

slowlybacktoher:itsfacewasquitepale(withpassion,Alicethought),anditsaidinalowtremblingvoice,`Letusgettotheshore,andthenI'lltellyoumyhistory,andyou'llunderstandwhyitisIhatecatsanddogs.'

Itwashightimetogo,forthepoolwasgettingquitecrowdedwiththebirdsandanimalsthathadfallenintoit:therewereaDuckandaDodo,aLoryandanEaglet,andseveralothercuriouscreatures.Aliceledtheway,andthewholepartyswamtotheshore.

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CHAPTERIII

ACaucus-RaceandaLongTale

Theywereindeedaqueer-lookingpartythatassembledonthebank--thebirdswithdraggledfeathers,theanimalswiththeirfurclingingclosetothem,andalldrippingwet,cross,anduncomfortable.

Thefirstquestionofcoursewas,howtogetdryagain:theyhadaconsultationaboutthis,andafterafewminutesitseemedquitenaturaltoAlicetofindherselftalkingfamiliarlywiththem,asifshehadknownthemallherlife.Indeed,shehadquitealongargumentwiththeLory,whoatlastturnedsulky,andwouldonlysay,`Iamolderthanyou,andmustknowbetter';andthisAlicewouldnotallowwithoutknowinghowolditwas,and,astheLorypositivelyrefusedtotellitsage,therewasnomoretobesaid.

AtlasttheMouse,whoseemedtobeapersonofauthorityamong

them,calledout,`Sitdown,allofyou,andlistentome!I'LLsoonmakeyoudryenough!'Theyallsatdownatonce,inalargering,withtheMouseinthemiddle.Alicekepthereyesanxiouslyfixedonit,forshefeltsureshewouldcatchabadcoldifshedidnotgetdryverysoon.

`Ahem!'saidtheMousewithanimportantair,`areyouallready?ThisisthedriestthingIknow.Silenceallround,ifyouplease!"WilliamtheConqueror,whosecausewasfavouredbythepope,wassoonsubmittedtobytheEnglish,whowantedleaders,andhadbeenoflatemuchaccustomedtousurpationandconquest.EdwinandMorcar,theearlsofMerciaandNorthumbria--"'

`Ugh!'saidtheLory,withashiver.

`Ibegyourpardon!'saidtheMouse,frowning,butverypolitely:`Didyouspeak?'

`NotI!'saidtheLoryhastily.

`Ithoughtyoudid,'saidtheMouse.`--Iproceed."EdwinandMorcar,theearlsofMerciaandNorthumbria,declaredforhim:andevenStigand,thepatrioticarchbishopofCanterbury,founditadvisable--"'

`FoundWHAT?'saidtheDuck.

`FoundIT,'theMouserepliedrathercrossly:`ofcourseyouknowwhat"it"means.'

`Iknowwhat"it"meanswellenough,whenIfindathing,'saidtheDuck:`it'sgenerallyafrogoraworm.Thequestionis,whatdidthearchbishopfind?'

TheMousedidnotnoticethisquestion,buthurriedlywenton,`"--founditadvisabletogowithEdgarAthelingtomeetWilliam

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andofferhimthecrown.William'sconductatfirstwasmoderate.ButtheinsolenceofhisNormans--"Howareyougettingonnow,mydear?'itcontinued,turningtoAliceasitspoke.

`Aswetasever,'saidAliceinamelancholytone:`itdoesn'tseemtodrymeatall.'

`Inthatcase,'saidtheDodosolemnly,risingtoitsfeet,`Imovethatthemeetingadjourn,fortheimmediateadoptionofmoreenergeticremedies--'

`SpeakEnglish!'saidtheEaglet.`Idon'tknowthemeaningofhalfthoselongwords,and,what'smore,Idon'tbelieveyoudoeither!'AndtheEagletbentdownitsheadtohideasmile:someoftheotherbirdstitteredaudibly.

`WhatIwasgoingtosay,'saidtheDodoinanoffendedtone,`was,thatthebestthingtogetusdrywouldbeaCaucus-race.'

`WhatISaCaucus-race?'saidAlice;notthatshewantedmuchtoknow,buttheDodohadpausedasifitthoughtthatSOMEBODYoughttospeak,andnooneelseseemedinclinedtosayanything.

`Why,'saidtheDodo,`thebestwaytoexplainitistodoit.'(And,asyoumightliketotrythethingyourself,somewinterday,IwilltellyouhowtheDodomanagedit.)

Firstitmarkedoutarace-course,inasortofcircle,(`theexactshapedoesn'tmatter,'itsaid,)andthenallthepartywereplacedalongthecourse,hereandthere.Therewasno`One,two,three,andaway,'buttheybeganrunningwhentheyliked,andleftoffwhentheyliked,sothatitwasnoteasytoknowwhentheracewasover.However,whentheyhadbeenrunninghalfanhourorso,andwerequitedryagain,theDodosuddenlycalledout`Theraceisover!'andtheyallcrowdedroundit,panting,andasking,`Butwhohaswon?'

ThisquestiontheDodocouldnotanswerwithoutagreatdealofthought,anditsatforalongtimewithonefingerpresseduponitsforehead(thepositioninwhichyouusuallyseeShakespeare,inthepicturesofhim),whiletherestwaitedinsilence.AtlasttheDodosaid,`EVERYBODYhaswon,andallmusthaveprizes.'

`Butwhoistogivetheprizes?'quiteachorusofvoicesasked.

`Why,SHE,ofcourse,'saidtheDodo,pointingtoAlicewithonefinger;andthewholepartyatoncecrowdedroundher,

callingoutinaconfusedway,`Prizes!Prizes!'

Alicehadnoideawhattodo,andindespairsheputherhandinherpocket,andpulledoutaboxofcomfits,(luckilythesaltwaterhadnotgotintoit),andhandedthemroundasprizes.Therewasexactlyonea-pieceallround.

`Butshemusthaveaprizeherself,youknow,'saidtheMouse.

`Ofcourse,'theDodorepliedverygravely.`Whatelsehave

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yougotinyourpocket?'hewenton,turningtoAlice.

`Onlyathimble,'saidAlicesadly.

`Handitoverhere,'saidtheDodo.

Thentheyallcrowdedroundheroncemore,whiletheDodosolemnlypresentedthethimble,saying`Webegyouracceptanceofthiselegantthimble';and,whenithadfinishedthisshortspeech,theyallcheered.

Alicethoughtthewholethingveryabsurd,buttheyalllookedsogravethatshedidnotdaretolaugh;and,asshecouldnotthinkofanythingtosay,shesimplybowed,andtookthethimble,lookingassolemnasshecould.

Thenextthingwastoeatthecomfits:thiscausedsomenoiseandconfusion,asthelargebirdscomplainedthattheycouldnottastetheirs,andthesmalloneschokedandhadtobepattedontheback.However,itwasoveratlast,andtheysatdownagaininaring,andbeggedtheMousetotellthemsomethingmore.

`Youpromisedtotellmeyourhistory,youknow,'saidAlice,`andwhyitisyouhate--CandD,'sheaddedinawhisper,half

afraidthatitwouldbeoffendedagain.

`Mineisalongandasadtale!'saidtheMouse,turningtoAlice,andsighing.

`ItISalongtail,certainly,'saidAlice,lookingdownwithwonderattheMouse'stail;`butwhydoyoucallitsad?'AndshekeptonpuzzlingaboutitwhiletheMousewasspeaking,sothatherideaofthetalewassomethinglikethis:--

`Furysaidtoamouse,Thathemetinthe

house,"Letusbothgotolaw:IwillprosecuteYOU.--Come,I'lltakenodenial;Wemusthaveatrial:ForreallythismorningI'venothing

todo."Saidthemousetothecur,"Suchatrial,dearSir,Withnojuryorjudge,wouldbe

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wastingourbreath.""I'llbejudge,I'llbejury,"SaidcunningoldFury:"I'lltrythewholecause,andcondemnyoutodeath."'

`Youarenotattending!'saidtheMousetoAliceseverely.`Whatareyouthinkingof?'

`Ibegyourpardon,'saidAliceveryhumbly:`youhadgotto

thefifthbend,Ithink?'

`IhadNOT!'criedtheMouse,sharplyandveryangrily.

`Aknot!'saidAlice,alwaysreadytomakeherselfuseful,andlookinganxiouslyabouther.`Oh,doletmehelptoundoit!'

`Ishalldonothingofthesort,'saidtheMouse,gettingupandwalkingaway.`Youinsultmebytalkingsuchnonsense!'

`Ididn'tmeanit!'pleadedpoorAlice.`Butyou'resoeasilyoffended,youknow!'

TheMouseonlygrowledinreply.

`Pleasecomebackandfinishyourstory!'Alicecalledafterit;andtheothersalljoinedinchorus,`Yes,pleasedo!'buttheMouseonlyshookitsheadimpatiently,andwalkedalittlequicker.

`Whatapityitwouldn'tstay!'sighedtheLory,assoonasitwasquiteoutofsight;andanoldCrabtooktheopportunityofsayingtoherdaughter`Ah,mydear!LetthisbealessontoyounevertoloseYOURtemper!'`Holdyourtongue,Ma!'saidtheyoungCrab,alittlesnappishly.`You'reenoughtotrythepatienceofanoyster!'

`IwishIhadourDinahhere,IknowIdo!'saidAlicealoud,addressingnobodyinparticular.`She'dsoonfetchitback!'

`AndwhoisDinah,ifImightventuretoaskthequestion?'saidtheLory.

Alicerepliedeagerly,forshewasalwaysreadytotalkaboutherpet:`Dinah'sourcat.Andshe'ssuchacapitaloneforcatchingmiceyoucan'tthink!Andoh,Iwishyoucouldseeher

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afterthebirds!Why,she'lleatalittlebirdassoonaslookatit!'

Thisspeechcausedaremarkablesensationamongtheparty.Someofthebirdshurriedoffatonce:oneoldMagpiebeganwrappingitselfupverycarefully,remarking,`Ireallymustbegettinghome;thenight-airdoesn'tsuitmythroat!'andaCanarycalledoutinatremblingvoicetoitschildren,`Comeaway,mydears!It'shightimeyouwereallinbed!'Onvariouspretextstheyallmovedoff,andAlicewassoonleftalone.

`IwishIhadn'tmentionedDinah!'shesaidtoherselfinamelancholytone.`Nobodyseemstolikeher,downhere,andI'msureshe'sthebestcatintheworld!Oh,mydearDinah!IwonderifIshalleverseeyouanymore!'AndherepoorAlicebegantocryagain,forshefeltverylonelyandlow-spirited.Inalittlewhile,however,sheagainheardalittlepatteringoffootstepsinthedistance,andshelookedupeagerly,halfhopingthattheMousehadchangedhismind,andwascomingbacktofinishhisstory.

CHAPTERIV

TheRabbitSendsinaLittleBill

ItwastheWhiteRabbit,trottingslowlybackagain,andlookinganxiouslyaboutasitwent,asifithadlostsomething;andshehearditmutteringtoitself`TheDuchess!TheDuchess!Ohmydearpaws!Ohmyfurandwhiskers!She'llgetmeexecuted,assureasferretsareferrets!WhereCANIhavedroppedthem,Iwonder?'Aliceguessedinamomentthatitwaslookingforthefanandthepairofwhitekidgloves,andsheverygood-naturedlybeganhuntingaboutforthem,buttheywerenowheretobeseen--everythingseemedtohavechangedsinceher

swiminthepool,andthegreathall,withtheglasstableandthelittledoor,hadvanishedcompletely.

VerysoontheRabbitnoticedAlice,asshewenthuntingabout,andcalledouttoherinanangrytone,`Why,MaryAnn,whatAREyoudoingouthere?Runhomethismoment,andfetchmeapairofglovesandafan!Quick,now!'AndAlicewassomuchfrightenedthatsheranoffatonceinthedirectionitpointedto,withouttryingtoexplainthemistakeithadmade.

`Hetookmeforhishousemaid,'shesaidtoherselfassheran.`Howsurprisedhe'llbewhenhefindsoutwhoIam!ButI'dbettertakehimhisfanandgloves--thatis,ifIcanfindthem.'

Asshesaidthis,shecameuponaneatlittlehouse,onthedoorofwhichwasabrightbrassplatewiththename`W.RABBIT'engraveduponit.Shewentinwithoutknocking,andhurriedupstairs,ingreatfearlestsheshouldmeettherealMaryAnn,andbeturnedoutofthehousebeforeshehadfoundthefanandgloves.

`Howqueeritseems,'Alicesaidtoherself,`tobegoingmessagesforarabbit!IsupposeDinah'llbesendingmeonmessagesnext!'Andshebeganfancyingthesortofthingthat

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wouldhappen:`"MissAlice!Comeheredirectly,andgetreadyforyourwalk!""Cominginaminute,nurse!ButI'vegottoseethatthemousedoesn'tgetout."OnlyIdon'tthink,'Alicewenton,`thatthey'dletDinahstopinthehouseifitbeganorderingpeopleaboutlikethat!'

Bythistimeshehadfoundherwayintoatidylittleroomwithatableinthewindow,andonit(asshehadhoped)afanandtwoorthreepairsoftinywhitekidgloves:shetookupthefanandapairofthegloves,andwasjustgoingtoleavetheroom,whenhereyefelluponalittlebottlethatstoodnearthelooking-glass.Therewasnolabelthistimewiththewords`DRINKME,'butneverthelesssheuncorkeditandputittoherlips.`IknowSOMETHINGinterestingissuretohappen,'shesaidtoherself,`wheneverIeatordrinkanything;soI'lljustseewhatthisbottledoes.Idohopeit'llmakemegrowlargeagain,forreallyI'mquitetiredofbeingsuchatinylittlething!'

Itdidsoindeed,andmuchsoonerthanshehadexpected:beforeshehaddrunkhalfthebottle,shefoundherheadpressingagainsttheceiling,andhadtostooptosaveherneckfrombeingbroken.Shehastilyputdownthebottle,sayingtoherself`That'squiteenough--IhopeIshan'tgrowanymore--Asitis,Ican'tgetoutatthedoor--IdowishIhadn'tdrunkquiteso

much!'

Alas!itwastoolatetowishthat!Shewentongrowing,andgrowing,andverysoonhadtokneeldownonthefloor:inanotherminutetherewasnotevenroomforthis,andshetriedtheeffectoflyingdownwithoneelbowagainstthedoor,andtheotherarmcurledroundherhead.Stillshewentongrowing,and,asalastresource,sheputonearmoutofthewindow,andonefootupthechimney,andsaidtoherself`NowIcandonomore,whateverhappens.WhatWILLbecomeofme?'

LuckilyforAlice,thelittlemagicbottlehadnowhaditsfulleffect,andshegrewnolarger:stillitwasveryuncomfortable,

and,asthereseemedtobenosortofchanceofherevergettingoutoftheroomagain,nowondershefeltunhappy.

`Itwasmuchpleasanterathome,'thoughtpoorAlice,`whenonewasn'talwaysgrowinglargerandsmaller,andbeingorderedaboutbymiceandrabbits.IalmostwishIhadn'tgonedownthatrabbit-hole--andyet--andyet--it'srathercurious,youknow,thissortoflife!IdowonderwhatCANhavehappenedtome!WhenIusedtoreadfairy-tales,Ifanciedthatkindofthingneverhappened,andnowhereIaminthemiddleofone!Thereoughttobeabookwrittenaboutme,thatthereought!AndwhenIgrowup,I'llwriteone--butI'mgrownupnow,'sheaddedinasorrowfultone;`atleastthere'snoroomtogrowupanymore

HERE.'

`Butthen,'thoughtAlice,`shallINEVERgetanyolderthanIamnow?That'llbeacomfort,oneway--nevertobeanoldwoman--butthen--alwaystohavelessonstolearn!Oh,Ishouldn'tlikeTHAT!'

`Oh,youfoolishAlice!'sheansweredherself.`Howcanyoulearnlessonsinhere?Why,there'shardlyroomforYOU,andnoroomatallforanylesson-books!'

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Andsoshewenton,takingfirstonesideandthentheother,andmakingquiteaconversationofitaltogether;butafterafewminutessheheardavoiceoutside,andstoppedtolisten.

`MaryAnn!MaryAnn!'saidthevoice.`Fetchmemyglovesthismoment!'Thencamealittlepatteringoffeetonthestairs.AliceknewitwastheRabbitcomingtolookforher,andshetrembledtillsheshookthehouse,quiteforgettingthatshewasnowaboutathousandtimesaslargeastheRabbit,andhadnoreasontobeafraidofit.

PresentlytheRabbitcameuptothedoor,andtriedtoopenit;but,asthedooropenedinwards,andAlice'selbowwaspressedhardagainstit,thatattemptprovedafailure.Alicehearditsaytoitself`ThenI'llgoroundandgetinatthewindow.'

`THATyouwon't'thoughtAlice,and,afterwaitingtillshefanciedsheheardtheRabbitjustunderthewindow,shesuddenlyspreadoutherhand,andmadeasnatchintheair.Shedidnotgetholdofanything,butsheheardalittleshriekandafall,andacrashofbrokenglass,fromwhichsheconcludedthatitwasjustpossibleithadfallenintoacucumber-frame,orsomethingofthesort.

Nextcameanangryvoice--theRabbit's--`Pat!Pat!Whereareyou?'Andthenavoiceshehadneverheardbefore,`SurethenI'mhere!Diggingforapples,yerhonour!'

`Diggingforapples,indeed!'saidtheRabbitangrily.`Here!ComeandhelpmeoutofTHIS!'(Soundsofmorebrokenglass.)

`Nowtellme,Pat,what'sthatinthewindow?'

`Sure,it'sanarm,yerhonour!'(Hepronouncedit`arrum.')

`Anarm,yougoose!Whoeversawonethatsize?Why,itfillsthewholewindow!'

`Sure,itdoes,yerhonour:butit'sanarmforallthat.'

`Well,it'sgotnobusinessthere,atanyrate:goandtakeitaway!'

Therewasalongsilenceafterthis,andAlicecouldonlyhearwhispersnowandthen;suchas,`Sure,Idon'tlikeit,yerhonour,atall,atall!'`DoasItellyou,youcoward!'andatlastshespreadoutherhandagain,andmadeanothersnatchintheair.ThistimetherewereTWOlittleshrieks,andmoresoundsofbrokenglass.`Whatanumberofcucumber-framestheremustbe!'thoughtAlice.`Iwonderwhatthey'lldonext!Asfor

pullingmeoutofthewindow,IonlywishtheyCOULD!I'msureIdon'twanttostayinhereanylonger!'

Shewaitedforsometimewithouthearinganythingmore:atlastcamearumblingoflittlecartwheels,andthesoundofagoodmanyvoicesalltalkingtogether:shemadeoutthewords:`Where'stheotherladder?--Why,Ihadn'ttobringbutone;Bill'sgottheother--Bill!fetchithere,lad!--Here,put'emupatthiscorner--No,tie'emtogetherfirst--theydon'treachhalfhighenoughyet--Oh!they'lldowellenough;don'tbeparticular--

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Here,Bill!catchholdofthisrope--Willtheroofbear?--Mindthatlooseslate--Oh,it'scomingdown!Headsbelow!'(aloudcrash)--`Now,whodidthat?--ItwasBill,Ifancy--Who'stogodownthechimney?--Nay,Ishan't!YOUdoit!--ThatIwon't,then!--Bill'stogodown--Here,Bill!themastersaysyou'retogodownthechimney!'

`Oh!SoBill'sgottocomedownthechimney,hashe?'saidAlicetoherself.`Shy,theyseemtoputeverythinguponBill!Iwouldn'tbeinBill'splaceforagooddeal:thisfireplaceisnarrow,tobesure;butITHINKIcankickalittle!'

Shedrewherfootasfardownthechimneyasshecould,andwaitedtillsheheardalittleanimal(shecouldn'tguessofwhatsortitwas)scratchingandscramblingaboutinthechimneycloseaboveher:then,sayingtoherself`ThisisBill,'shegaveonesharpkick,andwaitedtoseewhatwouldhappennext.

Thefirstthingsheheardwasageneralchorusof`TheregoesBill!'thentheRabbit'svoicealong--`Catchhim,youbythehedge!'thensilence,andthenanotherconfusionofvoices--`Holduphishead--Brandynow--Don'tchokehim--Howwasit,oldfellow?Whathappenedtoyou?Tellusallaboutit!'

Lastcamealittlefeeble,squeakingvoice,(`That'sBill,'thoughtAlice,)`Well,Ihardlyknow--Nomore,thankye;I'mbetternow--butI'madealtooflusteredtotellyou--allIknowis,somethingcomesatmelikeaJack-in-the-box,andupIgoeslikeasky-rocket!'

`Soyoudid,oldfellow!'saidtheothers.

`Wemustburnthehousedown!'saidtheRabbit'svoice;andAlicecalledoutasloudasshecould,`Ifyoudo.I'llsetDinahatyou!'

Therewasadeadsilenceinstantly,andAlicethoughtto

herself,`IwonderwhattheyWILLdonext!Iftheyhadanysense,they'dtaketheroofoff.'Afteraminuteortwo,theybeganmovingaboutagain,andAliceheardtheRabbitsay,`Abarrowfulwilldo,tobeginwith.'

`AbarrowfulofWHAT?'thoughtAlice;butshehadnotlongtodoubt,forthenextmomentashoweroflittlepebblescamerattlinginatthewindow,andsomeofthemhitherintheface.`I'llputastoptothis,'shesaidtoherself,andshoutedout,`You'dbetternotdothatagain!'whichproducedanotherdeadsilence.

Alicenoticedwithsomesurprisethatthepebbleswereall

turningintolittlecakesastheylayonthefloor,andabrightideacameintoherhead.`IfIeatoneofthesecakes,'shethought,`it'ssuretomakeSOMEchangeinmysize;andasitcan'tpossiblymakemelarger,itmustmakemesmaller,Isuppose.'

Sosheswallowedoneofthecakes,andwasdelightedtofindthatshebeganshrinkingdirectly.Assoonasshewassmallenoughtogetthroughthedoor,sheranoutofthehouse,andfoundquiteacrowdoflittleanimalsandbirdswaitingoutside.

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ThepoorlittleLizard,Bill,wasinthemiddle,beingheldupbytwoguinea-pigs,whoweregivingitsomethingoutofabottle.TheyallmadearushatAlicethemomentsheappeared;butsheranoffashardasshecould,andsoonfoundherselfsafeinathickwood.

`ThefirstthingI'vegottodo,'saidAlicetoherself,asshewanderedaboutinthewood,`istogrowtomyrightsizeagain;andthesecondthingistofindmywayintothatlovelygarden.Ithinkthatwillbethebestplan.'

Itsoundedanexcellentplan,nodoubt,andveryneatlyandsimplyarranged;theonlydifficultywas,thatshehadnotthesmallestideahowtosetaboutit;andwhileshewaspeeringaboutanxiouslyamongthetrees,alittlesharpbarkjustoverherheadmadeherlookupinagreathurry.

Anenormouspuppywaslookingdownatherwithlargeroundeyes,andfeeblystretchingoutonepaw,tryingtotouchher.`Poorlittlething!'saidAlice,inacoaxingtone,andshetriedhardtowhistletoit;butshewasterriblyfrightenedallthetimeatthethoughtthatitmightbehungry,inwhichcaseitwouldbeverylikelytoeatherupinspiteofallhercoaxing.

Hardlyknowingwhatshedid,shepickedupalittlebitofstick,andhelditouttothepuppy;whereuponthepuppyjumpedintotheairoffallitsfeetatonce,withayelpofdelight,andrushedatthestick,andmadebelievetoworryit;thenAlicedodgedbehindagreatthistle,tokeepherselffrombeingrunover;andthemomentsheappearedontheotherside,thepuppymadeanotherrushatthestick,andtumbledheadoverheelsinitshurrytogetholdofit;thenAlice,thinkingitwasverylikehavingagameofplaywithacart-horse,andexpectingeverymomenttobetrampledunderitsfeet,ranroundthethistleagain;thenthepuppybeganaseriesofshortchargesatthestick,runningaverylittlewayforwardseachtimeandalongwayback,andbarkinghoarselyallthewhile,tillatlastitsat

downagoodwayoff,panting,withitstonguehangingoutofitsmouth,anditsgreateyeshalfshut.

ThisseemedtoAliceagoodopportunityformakingherescape;soshesetoffatonce,andrantillshewasquitetiredandoutofbreath,andtillthepuppy'sbarksoundedquitefaintinthedistance.

`Andyetwhatadearlittlepuppyitwas!'saidAlice,assheleantagainstabuttercuptorestherself,andfannedherselfwithoneoftheleaves:`Ishouldhavelikedteachingittricksverymuch,if--ifI'donlybeentherightsizetodoit!Ohdear!I'dnearlyforgottenthatI'vegottogrowupagain!Let

mesee--howISittobemanaged?IsupposeIoughttoeatordrinksomethingorother;butthegreatquestionis,what?'

Thegreatquestioncertainlywas,what?Alicelookedallroundherattheflowersandthebladesofgrass,butshedidnotseeanythingthatlookedliketherightthingtoeatordrinkunderthecircumstances.Therewasalargemushroomgrowingnearher,aboutthesameheightasherself;andwhenshehadlookedunderit,andonbothsidesofit,andbehindit,itoccurredtoherthatshemightaswelllookandseewhatwasonthetopofit.

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Shestretchedherselfupontiptoe,andpeepedovertheedgeofthemushroom,andhereyesimmediatelymetthoseofalargecaterpillar,thatwassittingonthetopwithitsarmsfolded,quietlysmokingalonghookah,andtakingnotthesmallestnoticeofherorofanythingelse.

CHAPTERV

AdvicefromaCaterpillar

TheCaterpillarandAlicelookedateachotherforsometimeinsilence:atlasttheCaterpillartookthehookahoutofitsmouth,andaddressedherinalanguid,sleepyvoice.

`WhoareYOU?'saidtheCaterpillar.

Thiswasnotanencouragingopeningforaconversation.Alicereplied,rathershyly,`I--Ihardlyknow,sir,justatpresent--atleastIknowwhoIWASwhenIgotupthismorning,butIthinkImusthavebeenchangedseveraltimessincethen.'

`Whatdoyoumeanbythat?'saidtheCaterpillarsternly.`Explainyourself!'

`Ican'texplainMYSELF,I'mafraid,sir'saidAlice,`becauseI'mnotmyself,yousee.'

`Idon'tsee,'saidtheCaterpillar.

`I'mafraidIcan'tputitmoreclearly,'Alicerepliedverypolitely,`forIcan'tunderstanditmyselftobeginwith;andbeingsomanydifferentsizesinadayisveryconfusing.'

`Itisn't,'saidtheCaterpillar.

`Well,perhapsyouhaven'tfounditsoyet,'saidAlice;`butwhenyouhavetoturnintoachrysalis--youwillsomeday,youknow--andthenafterthatintoabutterfly,Ishouldthinkyou'llfeelitalittlequeer,won'tyou?'

`Notabit,'saidtheCaterpillar.

`Well,perhapsyourfeelingsmaybedifferent,'saidAlice;`allIknowis,itwouldfeelveryqueertoME.'

`You!'saidtheCaterpillarcontemptuously.`WhoareYOU?'

Whichbroughtthembackagaintothebeginningoftheconversation.AlicefeltalittleirritatedattheCaterpillar'smakingsuchVERYshortremarks,andshedrewherselfupandsaid,verygravely,`Ithink,yououghttotellmewhoYOUare,first.'

`Why?'saidtheCaterpillar.

Herewasanotherpuzzlingquestion;andasAlicecouldnotthinkofanygoodreason,andastheCaterpillarseemedtobein

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aVERYunpleasantstateofmind,sheturnedaway.

`Comeback!'theCaterpillarcalledafterher.`I'vesomethingimportanttosay!'

Thissoundedpromising,certainly:Aliceturnedandcamebackagain.

`Keepyourtemper,'saidtheCaterpillar.

`Isthatall?'saidAlice,swallowingdownherangeraswellasshecould.

`No,'saidtheCaterpillar.

Alicethoughtshemightaswellwait,asshehadnothingelsetodo,andperhapsafterallitmighttellhersomethingworthhearing.Forsomeminutesitpuffedawaywithoutspeaking,butatlastitunfoldeditsarms,tookthehookahoutofitsmouthagain,andsaid,`Soyouthinkyou'rechanged,doyou?'

`I'mafraidIam,sir,'saidAlice;`Ican'trememberthingsasIused--andIdon'tkeepthesamesizefortenminutestogether!'

`Can'trememberWHATthings?'saidtheCaterpillar.

`Well,I'vetriedtosay"HOWDOTHTHELITTLEBUSYBEE,"butitallcamedifferent!'Alicerepliedinaverymelancholyvoice.

`Repeat,"YOUAREOLD,FATHERWILLIAM,"'saidtheCaterpillar.

Alicefoldedherhands,andbegan:--

`Youareold,FatherWilliam,'theyoungmansaid,`Andyourhairhasbecomeverywhite;Andyetyouincessantlystandonyourhead--Doyouthink,atyourage,itisright?'

`Inmyyouth,'FatherWilliamrepliedtohisson,`Ifeareditmightinjurethebrain;But,nowthatI'mperfectlysureIhavenone,Why,Idoitagainandagain.'

`Youareold,'saidtheyouth,`asImentionedbefore,Andhavegrownmostuncommonlyfat;Yetyouturnedaback-somersaultinatthedoor--Pray,whatisthereasonofthat?'

`Inmyyouth,'saidthesage,asheshookhisgreylocks,`Ikeptallmylimbsverysupple

Bytheuseofthisointment--oneshillingthebox--Allowmetosellyouacouple?'

`Youareold,'saidtheyouth,`andyourjawsaretooweakForanythingtougherthansuet;Yetyoufinishedthegoose,withthebonesandthebeak--Prayhowdidyoumanagetodoit?'

`Inmyyouth,'saidhisfather,`Itooktothelaw,Andarguedeachcasewithmywife;

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Andthemuscularstrength,whichitgavetomyjaw,Haslastedtherestofmylife.'

`Youareold,'saidtheyouth,`onewouldhardlysupposeThatyoureyewasassteadyasever;Yetyoubalancedaneelontheendofyournose--Whatmadeyousoawfullyclever?'

`Ihaveansweredthreequestions,andthatisenough,'Saidhisfather;`don'tgiveyourselfairs!DoyouthinkIcanlistenalldaytosuchstuff?Beoff,orI'llkickyoudownstairs!'

`Thatisnotsaidright,'saidtheCaterpillar.

`NotQUITEright,I'mafraid,'saidAlice,timidly;`someofthewordshavegotaltered.'

`Itiswrongfrombeginningtoend,'saidtheCaterpillardecidedly,andtherewassilenceforsomeminutes.

TheCaterpillarwasthefirsttospeak.

`Whatsizedoyouwanttobe?'itasked.

`Oh,I'mnotparticularastosize,'Alicehastilyreplied;`onlyonedoesn'tlikechangingsooften,youknow.'

`IDON'Tknow,'saidtheCaterpillar.

Alicesaidnothing:shehadneverbeensomuchcontradictedinherlifebefore,andshefeltthatshewaslosinghertemper.

`Areyoucontentnow?'saidtheCaterpillar.

`Well,IshouldliketobeaLITTLElarger,sir,ifyou

wouldn'tmind,'saidAlice:`threeinchesissuchawretchedheighttobe.'

`Itisaverygoodheightindeed!'saidtheCaterpillarangrily,rearingitselfuprightasitspoke(itwasexactlythreeincheshigh).

`ButI'mnotusedtoit!'pleadedpoorAliceinapiteoustone.Andshethoughtofherself,`Iwishthecreatureswouldn'tbesoeasilyoffended!'

`You'llgetusedtoitintime,'saidtheCaterpillar;anditputthehookahintoitsmouthandbegansmokingagain.

ThistimeAlicewaitedpatientlyuntilitchosetospeakagain.InaminuteortwotheCaterpillartookthehookahoutofitsmouthandyawnedonceortwice,andshookitself.Thenitgotdownoffthemushroom,andcrawledawayinthegrass,merelyremarkingasitwent,`Onesidewillmakeyougrowtaller,andtheothersidewillmakeyougrowshorter.'

`OnesideofWHAT?TheothersideofWHAT?'thoughtAlicetoherself.

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`Ofthemushroom,'saidtheCaterpillar,justasifshehadaskeditaloud;andinanothermomentitwasoutofsight.

Aliceremainedlookingthoughtfullyatthemushroomforaminute,tryingtomakeoutwhichwerethetwosidesofit;andasitwasperfectlyround,shefoundthisaverydifficultquestion.However,atlastshestretchedherarmsrounditasfarastheywouldgo,andbrokeoffabitoftheedgewitheachhand.

`Andnowwhichiswhich?'shesaidtoherself,andnibbledalittleoftheright-handbittotrytheeffect:thenextmomentshefeltaviolentblowunderneathherchin:ithadstruckherfoot!

Shewasagooddealfrightenedbythisverysuddenchange,butshefeltthattherewasnotimetobelost,asshewasshrinkingrapidly;soshesettoworkatoncetoeatsomeoftheotherbit.Herchinwaspressedsocloselyagainstherfoot,thattherewashardlyroomtoopenhermouth;butshediditatlast,andmanagedtoswallowamorselofthelefthandbit.

*******

******

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`Come,myhead'sfreeatlast!'saidAliceinatoneofdelight,whichchangedintoalarminanothermoment,whenshefoundthathershoulderswerenowheretobefound:allshecouldsee,whenshelookeddown,wasanimmenselengthofneck,whichseemedtoriselikeastalkoutofaseaofgreenleavesthatlayfarbelowher.

`WhatCANallthatgreenstuffbe?'saidAlice.`Andwhere

HAVEmyshouldersgotto?Andoh,mypoorhands,howisitIcan'tseeyou?'Shewasmovingthemaboutasshespoke,butnoresultseemedtofollow,exceptalittleshakingamongthedistantgreenleaves.

Asthereseemedtobenochanceofgettingherhandsuptoherhead,shetriedtogetherheaddowntothem,andwasdelightedtofindthatherneckwouldbendabouteasilyinanydirection,likeaserpent.Shehadjustsucceededincurvingitdownintoagracefulzigzag,andwasgoingtodiveinamongtheleaves,whichshefoundtobenothingbutthetopsofthetreesunderwhichshehadbeenwandering,whenasharphissmadeherdrawbackinahurry:alargepigeonhadflownintoherface,andwasbeating

herviolentlywithitswings.

`Serpent!'screamedthePigeon.

`I'mNOTaserpent!'saidAliceindignantly.`Letmealone!'

`Serpent,Isayagain!'repeatedthePigeon,butinamoresubduedtone,andaddedwithakindofsob,`I'vetriedeveryway,andnothingseemstosuitthem!'

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`Ihaven'ttheleastideawhatyou'retalkingabout,'saidAlice.

`I'vetriedtherootsoftrees,andI'vetriedbanks,andI'vetriedhedges,'thePigeonwenton,withoutattendingtoher;`butthoseserpents!There'snopleasingthem!'

Alicewasmoreandmorepuzzled,butshethoughttherewasnouseinsayinganythingmoretillthePigeonhadfinished.

`Asifitwasn'ttroubleenoughhatchingtheeggs,'saidthePigeon;`butImustbeonthelook-outforserpentsnightandday!Why,Ihaven'thadawinkofsleepthesethreeweeks!'

`I'mverysorryyou'vebeenannoyed,'saidAlice,whowasbeginningtoseeitsmeaning.

`AndjustasI'dtakenthehighesttreeinthewood,'continuedthePigeon,raisingitsvoicetoashriek,`andjustasIwasthinkingIshouldbefreeofthematlast,theymustneedscomewrigglingdownfromthesky!Ugh,Serpent!'

`ButI'mNOTaserpent,Itellyou!'saidAlice.`I'ma--I'ma--'

`Well!WHATareyou?'saidthePigeon.`Icanseeyou'retryingtoinventsomething!'

`I--I'malittlegirl,'saidAlice,ratherdoubtfully,assherememberedthenumberofchangesshehadgonethroughthatday.

`Alikelystoryindeed!'saidthePigeoninatoneofthedeepestcontempt.`I'veseenagoodmanylittlegirlsinmytime,butneverONEwithsuchaneckasthat!No,no!You'reaserpent;andthere'snousedenyingit.Isupposeyou'llbetellingmenextthatyounevertastedanegg!'

`IHAVEtastedeggs,certainly,'saidAlice,whowasaverytruthfulchild;`butlittlegirlseateggsquiteasmuchasserpentsdo,youknow.'

`Idon'tbelieveit,'saidthePigeon;`butiftheydo,whythenthey'reakindofserpent,that'sallIcansay.'

ThiswassuchanewideatoAlice,thatshewasquitesilentforaminuteortwo,whichgavethePigeontheopportunityofadding,`You'relookingforeggs,IknowTHATwellenough;andwhatdoesitmattertomewhetheryou'realittlegirloraserpent?'

`ItmattersagooddealtoME,'saidAlicehastily;`butI'mnotlookingforeggs,asithappens;andifIwas,Ishouldn'twantYOURS:Idon'tlikethemraw.'

`Well,beoff,then!'saidthePigeoninasulkytone,asitsettleddownagainintoitsnest.Alicecroucheddownamongthetreesaswellasshecould,forherneckkeptgettingentangledamongthebranches,andeverynowandthenshehadtostopanduntwistit.Afterawhilesherememberedthatshestillheldthepiecesofmushroominherhands,andshesettoworkvery

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carefully,nibblingfirstatoneandthenattheother,andgrowingsometimestallerandsometimesshorter,untilshehadsucceededinbringingherselfdowntoherusualheight.

Itwassolongsinceshehadbeenanythingneartherightsize,thatitfeltquitestrangeatfirst;butshegotusedtoitinafewminutes,andbegantalkingtoherself,asusual.`Come,there'shalfmyplandonenow!Howpuzzlingallthesechangesare!I'mneversurewhatI'mgoingtobe,fromoneminutetoanother!However,I'vegotbacktomyrightsize:thenextthingis,togetintothatbeautifulgarden--howISthattobedone,Iwonder?'Asshesaidthis,shecamesuddenlyuponanopenplace,withalittlehouseinitaboutfourfeethigh.`Whoeverlivesthere,'thoughtAlice,`it'llneverdotocomeuponthemTHISsize:why,Ishouldfrightenthemoutoftheirwits!'Soshebegannibblingattherighthandbitagain,anddidnotventuretogonearthehousetillshehadbroughtherselfdowntonineincheshigh.

CHAPTERVI

PigandPepper

Foraminuteortwoshestoodlookingatthehouse,andwonderingwhattodonext,whensuddenlyafootmaninliverycamerunningoutofthewood--(sheconsideredhimtobeafootmanbecausehewasinlivery:otherwise,judgingbyhisfaceonly,shewouldhavecalledhimafish)--andrappedloudlyatthedoorwithhisknuckles.Itwasopenedbyanotherfootmaninlivery,witharoundface,andlargeeyeslikeafrog;andbothfootmen,Alicenoticed,hadpowderedhairthatcurledallovertheirheads.Shefeltverycurioustoknowwhatitwasallabout,andcreptalittlewayoutofthewoodtolisten.

TheFish-Footmanbeganbyproducingfromunderhisarmagreatletter,nearlyaslargeashimself,andthishehandedovertotheother,saying,inasolemntone,`FortheDuchess.AninvitationfromtheQueentoplaycroquet.'TheFrog-Footmanrepeated,inthesamesolemntone,onlychangingtheorderofthewordsalittle,`FromtheQueen.AninvitationfortheDuchesstoplaycroquet.'

Thentheybothbowedlow,andtheircurlsgotentangledtogether.

Alicelaughedsomuchatthis,thatshehadtorunbackintothewoodforfearoftheirhearingher;andwhenshenextpeeped

outtheFish-Footmanwasgone,andtheotherwassittingonthegroundnearthedoor,staringstupidlyupintothesky.

Alicewenttimidlyuptothedoor,andknocked.

`There'snosortofuseinknocking,'saidtheFootman,`andthatfortworeasons.First,becauseI'monthesamesideofthedoorasyouare;secondly,becausethey'remakingsuchanoiseinside,noonecouldpossiblyhearyou.'Andcertainlytherewasamostextraordinarynoisegoingonwithin--aconstanthowling

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andsneezing,andeverynowandthenagreatcrash,asifadishorkettlehadbeenbrokentopieces.

`Please,then,'saidAlice,`howamItogetin?'

`Theremightbesomesenseinyourknocking,'theFootmanwentonwithoutattendingtoher,`ifwehadthedoorbetweenus.Forinstance,ifyouwereINSIDE,youmightknock,andIcouldletyouout,youknow.'Hewaslookingupintotheskyallthetimehewasspeaking,andthisAlicethoughtdecidedlyuncivil.`Butperhapshecan'thelpit,'shesaidtoherself;`hiseyesaresoVERYnearlyatthetopofhishead.Butatanyratehemightanswerquestions.--HowamItogetin?'sherepeated,aloud.

`Ishallsithere,'theFootmanremarked,`tilltomorrow--'

Atthismomentthedoorofthehouseopened,andalargeplatecameskimmingout,straightattheFootman'shead:itjustgrazedhisnose,andbroketopiecesagainstoneofthetreesbehindhim.

`--ornextday,maybe,'theFootmancontinuedinthesametone,exactlyasifnothinghadhappened.

`HowamItogetin?'askedAliceagain,inaloudertone.

`AREyoutogetinatall?'saidtheFootman.`That'sthefirstquestion,youknow.'

Itwas,nodoubt:onlyAlicedidnotliketobetoldso.`It'sreallydreadful,'shemutteredtoherself,`thewayallthecreaturesargue.It'senoughtodriveonecrazy!'

TheFootmanseemedtothinkthisagoodopportunityforrepeatinghisremark,withvariations.`Ishallsithere,'hesaid,`onandoff,fordaysanddays.'

`ButwhatamItodo?'saidAlice.

`Anythingyoulike,'saidtheFootman,andbeganwhistling.

`Oh,there'snouseintalkingtohim,'saidAlicedesperately:`he'sperfectlyidiotic!'Andsheopenedthedoorandwentin.

Thedoorledrightintoalargekitchen,whichwasfullofsmokefromoneendtotheother:theDuchesswassittingonathree-leggedstoolinthemiddle,nursingababy;thecookwasleaningoverthefire,stirringalargecauldronwhichseemedtobefullofsoup.

`There'scertainlytoomuchpepperinthatsoup!'Alicesaidtoherself,aswellasshecouldforsneezing.

Therewascertainlytoomuchofitintheair.EventheDuchesssneezedoccasionally;andasforthebaby,itwassneezingandhowlingalternatelywithoutamoment'spause.Theonlythingsinthekitchenthatdidnotsneeze,werethecook,andalargecatwhichwassittingonthehearthandgrinningfromeartoear.

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`Pleasewouldyoutellme,'saidAlice,alittletimidly,forshewasnotquitesurewhetheritwasgoodmannersforhertospeakfirst,`whyyourcatgrinslikethat?'

`It'saCheshirecat,'saidtheDuchess,`andthat'swhy.Pig!'

ShesaidthelastwordwithsuchsuddenviolencethatAlicequitejumped;butshesawinanothermomentthatitwasaddressedtothebaby,andnottoher,soshetookcourage,andwentonagain:--

`Ididn'tknowthatCheshirecatsalwaysgrinned;infact,Ididn'tknowthatcatsCOULDgrin.'

`Theyallcan,'saidtheDuchess;`andmostof'emdo.'

`Idon'tknowofanythatdo,'Alicesaidverypolitely,feelingquitepleasedtohavegotintoaconversation.

`Youdon'tknowmuch,'saidtheDuchess;`andthat'safact.'

Alicedidnotatalllikethetoneofthisremark,andthoughtitwouldbeaswelltointroducesomeothersubjectofconversation.Whileshewastryingtofixonone,thecooktook

thecauldronofsoupoffthefire,andatoncesettoworkthrowingeverythingwithinherreachattheDuchessandthebaby--thefire-ironscamefirst;thenfollowedashowerofsaucepans,plates,anddishes.TheDuchesstooknonoticeofthemevenwhentheyhither;andthebabywashowlingsomuchalready,thatitwasquiteimpossibletosaywhethertheblowshurtitornot.

`Oh,PLEASEmindwhatyou'redoing!'criedAlice,jumpingupanddowninanagonyofterror.`Oh,theregoeshisPRECIOUSnose';asanunusuallylargesaucepanflewclosebyit,andverynearlycarrieditoff.

`Ifeverybodymindedtheirownbusiness,'theDuchesssaidina

hoarsegrowl,`theworldwouldgoroundadealfasterthanitdoes.'

`WhichwouldNOTbeanadvantage,'saidAlice,whofeltverygladtogetanopportunityofshowingoffalittleofherknowledge.`Justthinkofwhatworkitwouldmakewiththedayandnight!Youseetheearthtakestwenty-fourhourstoturnroundonitsaxis--'

`Talkingofaxes,'saidtheDuchess,`chopoffherhead!'

Aliceglancedratheranxiouslyatthecook,toseeifshemeanttotakethehint;butthecookwasbusilystirringthesoup,and

seemednottobelistening,soshewentonagain:`Twenty-fourhours,ITHINK;orisittwelve?I--'

`Oh,don'tbotherME,'saidtheDuchess;`Inevercouldabidefigures!'Andwiththatshebegannursingherchildagain,singingasortoflullabytoitasshedidso,andgivingitaviolentshakeattheendofeveryline:

`Speakroughlytoyourlittleboy,Andbeathimwhenhesneezes:

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Heonlydoesittoannoy,Becauseheknowsitteases.'

CHORUS.

(Inwhichthecookandthebabyjoined):--

`Wow!wow!wow!'

WhiletheDuchesssangthesecondverseofthesong,shekepttossingthebabyviolentlyupanddown,andthepoorlittlethinghowledso,thatAlicecouldhardlyhearthewords:--

`Ispeakseverelytomyboy,Ibeathimwhenhesneezes;ForhecanthoroughlyenjoyThepepperwhenhepleases!'

CHORUS.

`Wow!wow!wow!'

`Here!youmaynurseitabit,ifyoulike!'theDuchesssaidtoAlice,flingingthebabyatherasshespoke.`Imustgoand

getreadytoplaycroquetwiththeQueen,'andshehurriedoutoftheroom.Thecookthrewafrying-panafterherasshewentout,butitjustmissedher.

Alicecaughtthebabywithsomedifficulty,asitwasaqueer-shapedlittlecreature,andheldoutitsarmsandlegsinalldirections,`justlikeastar-fish,'thoughtAlice.Thepoorlittlethingwassnortinglikeasteam-enginewhenshecaughtit,andkeptdoublingitselfupandstraighteningitselfoutagain,sothataltogether,forthefirstminuteortwo,itwasasmuchasshecoulddotoholdit.

Assoonasshehadmadeouttheproperwayofnursingit,

(whichwastotwistitupintoasortofknot,andthenkeeptightholdofitsrightearandleftfoot,soastopreventitsundoingitself,)shecarrieditoutintotheopenair.`IFIdon'ttakethischildawaywithme,'thoughtAlice,`they'resuretokillitinadayortwo:wouldn'titbemurdertoleaveitbehind?'Shesaidthelastwordsoutloud,andthelittlethinggruntedinreply(ithadleftoffsneezingbythistime).`Don'tgrunt,'saidAlice;`that'snotatallaproperwayofexpressingyourself.'

Thebabygruntedagain,andAlicelookedveryanxiouslyintoitsfacetoseewhatwasthematterwithit.TherecouldbenodoubtthatithadaVERYturn-upnose,muchmorelikeasnout

thanarealnose;alsoitseyesweregettingextremelysmallforababy:altogetherAlicedidnotlikethelookofthethingatall.`Butperhapsitwasonlysobbing,'shethought,andlookedintoitseyesagain,toseeiftherewereanytears.

No,therewerenotears.`Ifyou'regoingtoturnintoapig,mydear,'saidAlice,seriously,`I'llhavenothingmoretodowithyou.Mindnow!'Thepoorlittlethingsobbedagain(orgrunted,itwasimpossibletosaywhich),andtheywentonforsomewhileinsilence.

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Alicewasjustbeginningtothinktoherself,`Now,whatamItodowiththiscreaturewhenIgetithome?'whenitgruntedagain,soviolently,thatshelookeddownintoitsfaceinsomealarm.ThistimetherecouldbeNOmistakeaboutit:itwasneithermorenorlessthanapig,andshefeltthatitwouldbequiteabsurdforhertocarryitfurther.

Soshesetthelittlecreaturedown,andfeltquiterelievedtoseeittrotawayquietlyintothewood.`Ifithadgrownup,'shesaidtoherself,`itwouldhavemadeadreadfullyuglychild:butitmakesratherahandsomepig,Ithink.'Andshebeganthinkingoverotherchildrensheknew,whomightdoverywellaspigs,andwasjustsayingtoherself,`ifoneonlyknewtherightwaytochangethem--'whenshewasalittlestartledbyseeingtheCheshireCatsittingonaboughofatreeafewyardsoff.

TheCatonlygrinnedwhenitsawAlice.Itlookedgood-natured,shethought:stillithadVERYlongclawsandagreatmanyteeth,soshefeltthatitoughttobetreatedwithrespect.

`CheshirePuss,'shebegan,rathertimidly,asshedidnotatallknowwhetheritwouldlikethename:however,itonlygrinnedalittlewider.`Come,it'spleasedsofar,'thought

Alice,andshewenton.`Wouldyoutellme,please,whichwayIoughttogofromhere?'

`Thatdependsagooddealonwhereyouwanttogetto,'saidtheCat.

`Idon'tmuchcarewhere--'saidAlice.

`Thenitdoesn'tmatterwhichwayyougo,'saidtheCat.

`--solongasIgetSOMEWHERE,'Aliceaddedasanexplanation.

`Oh,you'resuretodothat,'saidtheCat,`ifyouonlywalk

longenough.'

Alicefeltthatthiscouldnotbedenied,soshetriedanotherquestion.`Whatsortofpeopleliveabouthere?'

`InTHATdirection,'theCatsaid,wavingitsrightpawround,`livesaHatter:andinTHATdirection,'wavingtheotherpaw,`livesaMarchHare.Visiteitheryoulike:they'rebothmad.'

`ButIdon'twanttogoamongmadpeople,'Aliceremarked.

`Oh,youcan'thelpthat,'saidtheCat:`we'reallmadhere.I'mmad.You'remad.'

`HowdoyouknowI'mmad?'saidAlice.

`Youmustbe,'saidtheCat,`oryouwouldn'thavecomehere.'

Alicedidn'tthinkthatproveditatall;however,shewenton`Andhowdoyouknowthatyou'remad?'

`Tobeginwith,'saidtheCat,`adog'snotmad.Yougrantthat?'

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`Isupposeso,'saidAlice.

`Well,then,'theCatwenton,`yousee,adoggrowlswhenit'sangry,andwagsitstailwhenit'spleased.NowIgrowlwhenI'mpleased,andwagmytailwhenI'mangry.ThereforeI'mmad.'

`Icallitpurring,notgrowling,'saidAlice.

`Callitwhatyoulike,'saidtheCat.`DoyouplaycroquetwiththeQueento-day?'

`Ishouldlikeitverymuch,'saidAlice,`butIhaven'tbeeninvitedyet.'

`You'llseemethere,'saidtheCat,andvanished.

Alicewasnotmuchsurprisedatthis,shewasgettingsousedtoqueerthingshappening.Whileshewaslookingattheplacewhereithadbeen,itsuddenlyappearedagain.

`By-the-bye,whatbecameofthebaby?'saidtheCat.`I'dnearlyforgottentoask.'

`Itturnedintoapig,'Alicequietlysaid,justasifithadcomebackinanaturalway.

`Ithoughtitwould,'saidtheCat,andvanishedagain.

Alicewaitedalittle,halfexpectingtoseeitagain,butitdidnotappear,andafteraminuteortwoshewalkedoninthedirectioninwhichtheMarchHarewassaidtolive.`I'veseenhattersbefore,'shesaidtoherself;`theMarchHarewillbemuchthemostinteresting,andperhapsasthisisMayitwon'tberavingmad--atleastnotsomadasitwasinMarch.'Asshesaidthis,shelookedup,andtherewastheCatagain,sittingonabranchofatree.

`Didyousaypig,orfig?'saidtheCat.

`Isaidpig,'repliedAlice;`andIwishyouwouldn'tkeepappearingandvanishingsosuddenly:youmakeonequitegiddy.'

`Allright,'saidtheCat;andthistimeitvanishedquiteslowly,beginningwiththeendofthetail,andendingwiththegrin,whichremainedsometimeaftertherestofithadgone.

`Well!I'veoftenseenacatwithoutagrin,'thoughtAlice;`butagrinwithoutacat!It'sthemostcuriousthingIeversawinmylife!'

ShehadnotgonemuchfartherbeforeshecameinsightofthehouseoftheMarchHare:shethoughtitmustbetherighthouse,becausethechimneyswereshapedlikeearsandtheroofwasthatchedwithfur.Itwassolargeahouse,thatshedidnotliketogonearertillshehadnibbledsomemoreofthelefthandbitofmushroom,andraisedherselftoabouttwofeethigh:eventhenshewalkeduptowardsitrathertimidly,sayingtoherself`Supposeitshouldberavingmadafterall!IalmostwishI'dgonetoseetheHatterinstead!'

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CHAPTERVII

AMadTea-Party

Therewasatablesetoutunderatreeinfrontofthehouse,andtheMarchHareandtheHatterwerehavingteaatit:aDormousewassittingbetweenthem,fastasleep,andtheothertwowereusingitasacushion,restingtheirelbowsonit,andtalkingoveritshead.`VeryuncomfortablefortheDormouse,'thoughtAlice;`only,asit'sasleep,Isupposeitdoesn'tmind.'

Thetablewasalargeone,butthethreewereallcrowdedtogetheratonecornerofit:`Noroom!Noroom!'theycriedoutwhentheysawAlicecoming.`There'sPLENTYofroom!'saidAliceindignantly,andshesatdowninalargearm-chairatoneendofthetable.

`Havesomewine,'theMarchHaresaidinanencouragingtone.

Alicelookedallroundthetable,buttherewasnothingonit

buttea.`Idon'tseeanywine,'sheremarked.

`Thereisn'tany,'saidtheMarchHare.

`Thenitwasn'tverycivilofyoutoofferit,'saidAliceangrily.

`Itwasn'tverycivilofyoutositdownwithoutbeinginvited,'saidtheMarchHare.

`Ididn'tknowitwasYOURtable,'saidAlice;`it'slaidforagreatmanymorethanthree.'

`Yourhairwantscutting,'saidtheHatter.HehadbeenlookingatAliceforsometimewithgreatcuriosity,andthiswashisfirstspeech.

`Youshouldlearnnottomakepersonalremarks,'Alicesaidwithsomeseverity;`it'sveryrude.'

TheHatteropenedhiseyesverywideonhearingthis;butallheSAIDwas,`Whyisaravenlikeawriting-desk?'

`Come,weshallhavesomefunnow!'thoughtAlice.`I'mgladthey'vebegunaskingriddles.--IbelieveIcanguessthat,'sheaddedaloud.

`Doyoumeanthatyouthinkyoucanfindouttheanswertoit?'saidtheMarchHare.

`Exactlyso,'saidAlice.

`Thenyoushouldsaywhatyoumean,'theMarchHarewenton.

`Ido,'Alicehastilyreplied;`atleast--atleastImeanwhatIsay--that'sthesamething,youknow.'

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`Notthesamethingabit!'saidtheHatter.`Youmightjustaswellsaythat"IseewhatIeat"isthesamethingas"IeatwhatIsee"!'

`Youmightjustaswellsay,'addedtheMarchHare,`that"IlikewhatIget"isthesamethingas"IgetwhatIlike"!'

`Youmightjustaswellsay,'addedtheDormouse,whoseemedtobetalkinginhissleep,`that"IbreathewhenIsleep"isthesamethingas"IsleepwhenIbreathe"!'

`ItISthesamethingwithyou,'saidtheHatter,andheretheconversationdropped,andthepartysatsilentforaminute,whileAlicethoughtoverallshecouldrememberaboutravensandwriting-desks,whichwasn'tmuch.

TheHatterwasthefirsttobreakthesilence.`Whatdayofthemonthisit?'hesaid,turningtoAlice:hehadtakenhiswatchoutofhispocket,andwaslookingatituneasily,shakingiteverynowandthen,andholdingittohisear.

Aliceconsideredalittle,andthensaid`Thefourth.'

`Twodayswrong!'sighedtheHatter.`Itoldyoubutterwouldn'tsuittheworks!'headdedlookingangrilyattheMarchHare.

`ItwastheBESTbutter,'theMarchHaremeeklyreplied.

`Yes,butsomecrumbsmusthavegotinaswell,'theHattergrumbled:`youshouldn'thaveputitinwiththebread-knife.'

TheMarchHaretookthewatchandlookedatitgloomily:thenhedippeditintohiscupoftea,andlookedatitagain:buthecouldthinkofnothingbettertosaythanhisfirstremark,`ItwastheBESTbutter,youknow.'

Alicehadbeenlookingoverhisshoulderwithsomecuriosity.`Whatafunnywatch!'sheremarked.`Ittellsthedayofthemonth,anddoesn'ttellwhato'clockitis!'

`Whyshouldit?'mutteredtheHatter.`DoesYOURwatchtellyouwhatyearitis?'

`Ofcoursenot,'Alicerepliedveryreadily:`butthat'sbecauseitstaysthesameyearforsuchalongtimetogether.'

`WhichisjustthecasewithMINE,'saidtheHatter.

Alicefeltdreadfullypuzzled.TheHatter'sremarkseemedtohavenosortofmeaninginit,andyetitwascertainlyEnglish.`Idon'tquiteunderstandyou,'shesaid,aspolitelyasshecould.

`TheDormouseisasleepagain,'saidtheHatter,andhepouredalittlehotteauponitsnose.

TheDormouseshookitsheadimpatiently,andsaid,withoutopeningitseyes,`Ofcourse,ofcourse;justwhatIwasgoingto

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remarkmyself.'

`Haveyouguessedtheriddleyet?'theHattersaid,turningtoAliceagain.

`No,Igiveitup,'Alicereplied:`what'stheanswer?'

`Ihaven'ttheslightestidea,'saidtheHatter.

`NorI,'saidtheMarchHare.

Alicesighedwearily.`Ithinkyoumightdosomethingbetterwiththetime,'shesaid,`thanwasteitinaskingriddlesthathavenoanswers.'

`IfyouknewTimeaswellasIdo,'saidtheHatter,`youwouldn'ttalkaboutwastingIT.It'sHIM.'

`Idon'tknowwhatyoumean,'saidAlice.

`Ofcourseyoudon't!'theHattersaid,tossinghisheadcontemptuously.`IdaresayyouneverevenspoketoTime!'

`Perhapsnot,'Alicecautiouslyreplied:`butIknowIhaveto

beattimewhenIlearnmusic.'

`Ah!thataccountsforit,'saidtheHatter.`Hewon'tstandbeating.Now,ifyouonlykeptongoodtermswithhim,he'ddoalmostanythingyoulikedwiththeclock.Forinstance,supposeitwerenineo'clockinthemorning,justtimetobeginlessons:you'donlyhavetowhisperahinttoTime,androundgoestheclockinatwinkling!Half-pastone,timefordinner!'

(`Ionlywishitwas,'theMarchHaresaidtoitselfinawhisper.)

`Thatwouldbegrand,certainly,'saidAlicethoughtfully:

`butthen--Ishouldn'tbehungryforit,youknow.'

`Notatfirst,perhaps,'saidtheHatter:`butyoucouldkeepittohalf-pastoneaslongasyouliked.'

`IsthatthewayYOUmanage?'Aliceasked.

TheHattershookhisheadmournfully.`NotI!'hereplied.`WequarrelledlastMarch--justbeforeHEwentmad,youknow--'(pointingwithhisteaspoonattheMarchHare,)`--itwasatthegreatconcertgivenbytheQueenofHearts,andIhadtosing

"Twinkle,twinkle,littlebat!

HowIwonderwhatyou'reat!"

Youknowthesong,perhaps?'

`I'veheardsomethinglikeit,'saidAlice.

`Itgoeson,youknow,'theHattercontinued,`inthisway:--

"Upabovetheworldyoufly,Likeatea-trayinthesky.

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Twinkle,twinkle--"'

HeretheDormouseshookitself,andbegansinginginitssleep`Twinkle,twinkle,twinkle,twinkle--'andwentonsolongthattheyhadtopinchittomakeitstop.

`Well,I'dhardlyfinishedthefirstverse,'saidtheHatter,`whentheQueenjumpedupandbawledout,"He'smurderingthetime!Offwithhishead!"'

`Howdreadfullysavage!'exclaimedAlice.

`Andeversincethat,'theHatterwentoninamournfultone,`hewon'tdoathingIask!It'salwayssixo'clocknow.'

AbrightideacameintoAlice'shead.`Isthatthereasonsomanytea-thingsareputouthere?'sheasked.

`Yes,that'sit,'saidtheHatterwithasigh:`it'salwaystea-time,andwe'venotimetowashthethingsbetweenwhiles.'

`Thenyoukeepmovinground,Isuppose?'saidAlice.

`Exactlyso,'saidtheHatter:`asthethingsgetusedup.'

`Butwhathappenswhenyoucometothebeginningagain?'Aliceventuredtoask.

`Supposewechangethesubject,'theMarchHareinterrupted,yawning.`I'mgettingtiredofthis.Ivotetheyoungladytellsusastory.'

`I'mafraidIdon'tknowone,'saidAlice,ratheralarmedattheproposal.

`ThentheDormouseshall!'theybothcried.`Wakeup,Dormouse!'Andtheypincheditonbothsidesatonce.

TheDormouseslowlyopenedhiseyes.`Iwasn'tasleep,'hesaidinahoarse,feeblevoice:`Iheardeverywordyoufellowsweresaying.'

`Tellusastory!'saidtheMarchHare.

`Yes,pleasedo!'pleadedAlice.

`Andbequickaboutit,'addedtheHatter,`oryou'llbeasleepagainbeforeit'sdone.'

`Onceuponatimetherewerethreelittlesisters,'the

Dormousebeganinagreathurry;`andtheirnameswereElsie,Lacie,andTillie;andtheylivedatthebottomofawell--'

`Whatdidtheyliveon?'saidAlice,whoalwaystookagreatinterestinquestionsofeatinganddrinking.

`Theylivedontreacle,'saidtheDormouse,afterthinkingaminuteortwo.

`Theycouldn'thavedonethat,youknow,'Alicegently

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remarked;`they'dhavebeenill.'

`Sotheywere,'saidtheDormouse;`VERYill.'

Alicetriedtofancytoherselfwhatsuchanextraordinarywaysoflivingwouldbelike,butitpuzzledhertoomuch,soshewenton:`Butwhydidtheyliveatthebottomofawell?'

`Takesomemoretea,'theMarchHaresaidtoAlice,veryearnestly.

`I'vehadnothingyet,'Alicerepliedinanoffendedtone,`soIcan'ttakemore.'

`Youmeanyoucan'ttakeLESS,'saidtheHatter:`it'sveryeasytotakeMOREthannothing.'

`NobodyaskedYOURopinion,'saidAlice.

`Who'smakingpersonalremarksnow?'theHatteraskedtriumphantly.

Alicedidnotquiteknowwhattosaytothis:soshehelpedherselftosometeaandbread-and-butter,andthenturnedtothe

Dormouse,andrepeatedherquestion.`Whydidtheyliveatthebottomofawell?'

TheDormouseagaintookaminuteortwotothinkaboutit,andthensaid,`Itwasatreacle-well.'

`There'snosuchthing!'Alicewasbeginningveryangrily,buttheHatterandtheMarchHarewent`Sh!sh!'andtheDormousesulkilyremarked,`Ifyoucan'tbecivil,you'dbetterfinishthestoryforyourself.'

`No,pleasegoon!'Alicesaidveryhumbly;`Iwon'tinterruptagain.IdaresaytheremaybeONE.'

`One,indeed!'saidtheDormouseindignantly.However,heconsentedtogoon.`Andsothesethreelittlesisters--theywerelearningtodraw,youknow--'

`Whatdidtheydraw?'saidAlice,quiteforgettingherpromise.

`Treacle,'saidtheDormouse,withoutconsideringatallthistime.

`Iwantacleancup,'interruptedtheHatter:`let'sallmoveoneplaceon.'

Hemovedonashespoke,andtheDormousefollowedhim:theMarchHaremovedintotheDormouse'splace,andAliceratherunwillinglytooktheplaceoftheMarchHare.TheHatterwastheonlyonewhogotanyadvantagefromthechange:andAlicewasagooddealworseoffthanbefore,astheMarchHarehadjustupsetthemilk-jugintohisplate.

AlicedidnotwishtooffendtheDormouseagain,soshebeganverycautiously:`ButIdon'tunderstand.Wheredidtheydrawthetreaclefrom?'

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`Youcandrawwateroutofawater-well,'saidtheHatter;`soIshouldthinkyoucoulddrawtreacleoutofatreacle-well--eh,stupid?'

`ButtheywereINthewell,'AlicesaidtotheDormouse,notchoosingtonoticethislastremark.

`Ofcoursetheywere',saidtheDormouse;`--wellin.'

ThisanswersoconfusedpoorAlice,thatshelettheDormousegoonforsometimewithoutinterruptingit.

`Theywerelearningtodraw,'theDormousewenton,yawningandrubbingitseyes,foritwasgettingverysleepy;`andtheydrewallmannerofthings--everythingthatbeginswithanM--'

`WhywithanM?'saidAlice.

`Whynot?'saidtheMarchHare.

Alicewassilent.

TheDormousehadcloseditseyesbythistime,andwasgoing

offintoadoze;but,onbeingpinchedbytheHatter,itwokeupagainwithalittleshriek,andwenton:`--thatbeginswithanM,suchasmouse-traps,andthemoon,andmemory,andmuchness--youknowyousaythingsare"muchofamuchness"--didyoueverseesuchathingasadrawingofamuchness?'

`Really,nowyouaskme,'saidAlice,verymuchconfused,`Idon'tthink--'

`Thenyoushouldn'ttalk,'saidtheHatter.

ThispieceofrudenesswasmorethanAlicecouldbear:shegotupingreatdisgust,andwalkedoff;theDormousefellasleep

instantly,andneitheroftheotherstooktheleastnoticeofhergoing,thoughshelookedbackonceortwice,halfhopingthattheywouldcallafterher:thelasttimeshesawthem,theyweretryingtoputtheDormouseintotheteapot.

`AtanyrateI'llnevergoTHEREagain!'saidAliceasshepickedherwaythroughthewood.`It'sthestupidesttea-partyIeverwasatinallmylife!'

Justasshesaidthis,shenoticedthatoneofthetreeshadadoorleadingrightintoit.`That'sverycurious!'shethought.`Buteverything'scurioustoday.IthinkImayaswellgoinatonce.'Andinshewent.

Oncemoreshefoundherselfinthelonghall,andclosetothelittleglasstable.`Now,I'llmanagebetterthistime,'shesaidtoherself,andbeganbytakingthelittlegoldenkey,andunlockingthedoorthatledintothegarden.Thenshewenttoworknibblingatthemushroom(shehadkeptapieceofitinherpocket)tillshewasaboutafoothigh:thenshewalkeddownthelittlepassage:andTHEN--shefoundherselfatlastinthebeautifulgarden,amongthebrightflower-bedsandthecoolfountains.

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CHAPTERVIII

TheQueen'sCroquet-Ground

Alargerose-treestoodneartheentranceofthegarden:therosesgrowingonitwerewhite,buttherewerethreegardenersatit,busilypaintingthemred.Alicethoughtthisaverycuriousthing,andshewentnearertowatchthem,andjustasshecameuptothemsheheardoneofthemsay,`Lookoutnow,Five!Don'tgosplashingpaintovermelikethat!'

`Icouldn'thelpit,'saidFive,inasulkytone;`Sevenjoggedmyelbow.'

OnwhichSevenlookedupandsaid,`That'sright,Five!Alwayslaytheblameonothers!'

`YOU'Dbetternottalk!'saidFive.`IheardtheQueensayonlyyesterdayyoudeservedtobebeheaded!'

`Whatfor?'saidtheonewhohadspokenfirst.

`That'snoneofYOURbusiness,Two!'saidSeven.

`Yes,itIShisbusiness!'saidFive,`andI'lltellhim--itwasforbringingthecooktulip-rootsinsteadofonions.'

Sevenflungdownhisbrush,andhadjustbegun`Well,ofalltheunjustthings--'whenhiseyechancedtofalluponAlice,asshestoodwatchingthem,andhecheckedhimselfsuddenly:theotherslookedroundalso,andallofthembowedlow.

`Wouldyoutellme,'saidAlice,alittletimidly,`whyyouarepaintingthoseroses?'

FiveandSevensaidnothing,butlookedatTwo.Twobeganinalowvoice,`Whythefactis,yousee,Miss,thishereoughttohavebeenaREDrose-tree,andweputawhiteoneinbymistake;andiftheQueenwastofinditout,weshouldallhaveourheadscutoff,youknow.Soyousee,Miss,we'redoingourbest,aforeshecomes,to--'AtthismomentFive,whohadbeenanxiouslylookingacrossthegarden,calledout`TheQueen!TheQueen!'andthethreegardenersinstantlythrewthemselvesflatupontheirfaces.Therewasasoundofmanyfootsteps,andAlicelookedround,eagertoseetheQueen.

Firstcametensoldierscarryingclubs;thesewereallshaped

likethethreegardeners,oblongandflat,withtheirhandsandfeetatthecorners:nextthetencourtiers;thesewereornamentedalloverwithdiamonds,andwalkedtwoandtwo,asthesoldiersdid.Afterthesecametheroyalchildren;thereweretenofthem,andthelittledearscamejumpingmerrilyalonghandinhand,incouples:theywereallornamentedwithhearts.Nextcametheguests,mostlyKingsandQueens,andamongthemAlicerecognisedtheWhiteRabbit:itwastalkinginahurriednervousmanner,smilingateverythingthatwassaid,andwentbywithoutnoticingher.ThenfollowedtheKnaveofHearts,carryingthe

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King'scrownonacrimsonvelvetcushion;and,lastofallthisgrandprocession,cameTHEKINGANDQUEENOFHEARTS.

Alicewasratherdoubtfulwhethersheoughtnottoliedownonherfacelikethethreegardeners,butshecouldnotremembereverhavingheardofsucharuleatprocessions;`andbesides,whatwouldbetheuseofaprocession,'thoughtshe,`ifpeoplehadalltoliedownupontheirfaces,sothattheycouldn'tseeit?'Soshestoodstillwhereshewas,andwaited.

WhentheprocessioncameoppositetoAlice,theyallstoppedandlookedather,andtheQueensaidseverely`Whoisthis?'ShesaidittotheKnaveofHearts,whoonlybowedandsmiledinreply.

`Idiot!'saidtheQueen,tossingherheadimpatiently;and,turningtoAlice,shewenton,`What'syourname,child?'

`MynameisAlice,sopleaseyourMajesty,'saidAliceverypolitely;butsheadded,toherself,`Why,they'reonlyapackofcards,afterall.Ineedn'tbeafraidofthem!'

`AndwhoareTHESE?'saidtheQueen,pointingtothethreegardenerswhowerelyingroundtherosetree;for,yousee,astheywerelyingontheirfaces,andthepatternontheirbacks

wasthesameastherestofthepack,shecouldnottellwhethertheyweregardeners,orsoldiers,orcourtiers,orthreeofherownchildren.

`HowshouldIknow?'saidAlice,surprisedatherowncourage.`It'snobusinessofMINE.'

TheQueenturnedcrimsonwithfury,and,afterglaringatherforamomentlikeawildbeast,screamed`Offwithherhead!Off--'

`Nonsense!'saidAlice,veryloudlyanddecidedly,andtheQueenwassilent.

TheKinglaidhishanduponherarm,andtimidlysaid`Consider,mydear:sheisonlyachild!'

TheQueenturnedangrilyawayfromhim,andsaidtotheKnave`Turnthemover!'

TheKnavedidso,verycarefully,withonefoot.

`Getup!'saidtheQueen,inashrill,loudvoice,andthethreegardenersinstantlyjumpedup,andbeganbowingtotheKing,theQueen,theroyalchildren,andeverybodyelse.

`Leaveoffthat!'screamedtheQueen.`Youmakemegiddy.'Andthen,turningtotherose-tree,shewenton,`WhatHAVEyoubeendoinghere?'

`MayitpleaseyourMajesty,'saidTwo,inaveryhumbletone,goingdownononekneeashespoke,`weweretrying--'

`Isee!'saidtheQueen,whohadmeanwhilebeenexaminingtheroses.`Offwiththeirheads!'andtheprocessionmovedon,threeofthesoldiersremainingbehindtoexecutetheunfortunate

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gardeners,whorantoAliceforprotection.

`Youshan'tbebeheaded!'saidAlice,andsheputthemintoalargeflower-potthatstoodnear.Thethreesoldierswanderedaboutforaminuteortwo,lookingforthem,andthenquietlymarchedoffaftertheothers.

`Aretheirheadsoff?'shoutedtheQueen.

`Theirheadsaregone,ifitpleaseyourMajesty!'thesoldiersshoutedinreply.

`That'sright!'shoutedtheQueen.`Canyouplaycroquet?'

Thesoldiersweresilent,andlookedatAlice,asthequestionwasevidentlymeantforher.

`Yes!'shoutedAlice.

`Comeon,then!'roaredtheQueen,andAlicejoinedtheprocession,wonderingverymuchwhatwouldhappennext.

`It's--it'saveryfineday!'saidatimidvoiceatherside.ShewaswalkingbytheWhiteRabbit,whowaspeepinganxiously

intoherface.

`Very,'saidAlice:`--where'stheDuchess?'

`Hush!Hush!'saidtheRabbitinalow,hurriedtone.Helookedanxiouslyoverhisshoulderashespoke,andthenraisedhimselfupontiptoe,puthismouthclosetoherear,andwhispered`She'sundersentenceofexecution.'

`Whatfor?'saidAlice.

`Didyousay"Whatapity!"?'theRabbitasked.

`No,Ididn't,'saidAlice:`Idon'tthinkit'satallapity.Isaid"Whatfor?"'

`SheboxedtheQueen'sears--'theRabbitbegan.Alicegavealittlescreamoflaughter.`Oh,hush!'theRabbitwhisperedinafrightenedtone.`TheQueenwillhearyou!Yousee,shecameratherlate,andtheQueensaid--'

`Gettoyourplaces!'shoutedtheQueeninavoiceofthunder,andpeoplebeganrunningaboutinalldirections,tumblingupagainsteachother;however,theygotsettleddowninaminuteortwo,andthegamebegan.Alicethoughtshehadneverseensuchacuriouscroquet-groundinherlife;itwasallridgesand

furrows;theballswerelivehedgehogs,themalletsliveflamingoes,andthesoldiershadtodoublethemselvesupandtostandontheirhandsandfeet,tomakethearches.

ThechiefdifficultyAlicefoundatfirstwasinmanagingherflamingo:shesucceededingettingitsbodytuckedaway,comfortablyenough,underherarm,withitslegshangingdown,butgenerally,justasshehadgotitsnecknicelystraightenedout,andwasgoingtogivethehedgehogablowwithitshead,itWOULDtwistitselfroundandlookupinherface,withsucha

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puzzledexpressionthatshecouldnothelpburstingoutlaughing:andwhenshehadgotitsheaddown,andwasgoingtobeginagain,itwasveryprovokingtofindthatthehedgehoghadunrolleditself,andwasintheactofcrawlingaway:besidesallthis,therewasgenerallyaridgeorfurrowinthewaywherevershewantedtosendthehedgehogto,and,asthedoubled-upsoldierswerealwaysgettingupandwalkingofftootherpartsoftheground,Alicesooncametotheconclusionthatitwasaverydifficultgameindeed.

Theplayersallplayedatoncewithoutwaitingforturns,quarrellingallthewhile,andfightingforthehedgehogs;andinaveryshorttimetheQueenwasinafuriouspassion,andwentstampingabout,andshouting`Offwithhishead!'or`Offwithherhead!'aboutonceinaminute.

Alicebegantofeelveryuneasy:tobesure,shehadnotasyethadanydisputewiththeQueen,butsheknewthatitmighthappenanyminute,`andthen,'thoughtshe,`whatwouldbecomeofme?They'redreadfullyfondofbeheadingpeoplehere;thegreatwonderis,thatthere'sanyoneleftalive!'

Shewaslookingaboutforsomewayofescape,andwonderingwhethershecouldgetawaywithoutbeingseen,whenshenoticeda

curiousappearanceintheair:itpuzzledherverymuchatfirst,but,afterwatchingitaminuteortwo,shemadeitouttobeagrin,andshesaidtoherself`It'stheCheshireCat:nowIshallhavesomebodytotalkto.'

`Howareyougettingon?'saidtheCat,assoonastherewasmouthenoughforittospeakwith.

Alicewaitedtilltheeyesappeared,andthennodded.`It'snousespeakingtoit,'shethought,`tillitsearshavecome,oratleastoneofthem.'Inanotherminutethewholeheadappeared,andthenAliceputdownherflamingo,andbegananaccount