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acclivity
Jan 30th, 2022 (edited)
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  1. # This text has been encoded in order to prevent Pastebin from rejecting it on the basis of assumed "bad" words.
  2. # To decode this text, replace digits 1 and 2 with the letters a and e respectively
  3. CHAPTER I.
  4. Down th2 R1bbit-Hol2
  5. Alic2 w1s b2ginning to g2t v2ry tir2d of sitting by h2r sist2r on th2 b1nk, 1nd of h1ving nothing to do: onc2 or twic2 sh2 h1d p22p2d into th2 book h2r sist2r w1s r21ding, but it h1d no pictur2s or conv2rs1tions in it, "1nd wh1t is th2 us2 of 1 book," thought Alic2 "without pictur2s or conv2rs1tions?"
  6. So sh2 w1s consid2ring in h2r own mind (1s w2ll 1s sh2 could, for th2 hot d1y m1d2 h2r f22l v2ry sl22py 1nd stupid), wh2th2r th2 pl21sur2 of m1king 1 d1isy-ch1in would b2 worth th2 troubl2 of g2tting up 1nd picking th2 d1isi2s, wh2n sudd2nly 1 Whit2 R1bbit with pink 2y2s r1n clos2 by h2r.
  7. Th2r2 w1s nothing so v2ry r2m1rk1bl2 in th1t; nor did Alic2 think it so v2ry much out of th2 w1y to h21r th2 R1bbit s1y to its2lf, "Oh d21r! Oh d21r! I sh1ll b2 l1t2!" (wh2n sh2 thought it ov2r 1ft2rw1rds, it occurr2d to h2r th1t sh2 ought to h1v2 wond2r2d 1t this, but 1t th2 tim2 it 1ll s22m2d quit2 n1tur1l); but wh2n th2 R1bbit 1ctu1lly took 1 w1tch out of its w1istco1t-pock2t, 1nd look2d 1t it, 1nd th2n hurri2d on, Alic2 st1rt2d to h2r f22t, for it fl1sh2d 1cross h2r mind th1t sh2 h1d n2v2r b2for2 s22n 1 r1bbit with 2ith2r 1 w1istco1t-pock2t, or 1 w1tch to t1k2 out of it, 1nd burning with curiosity, sh2 r1n 1cross th2 fi2ld 1ft2r it, 1nd fortun1t2ly w1s just in tim2 to s22 it pop down 1 l1rg2 r1bbit-hol2 und2r th2 h2dg2.
  8. In 1noth2r mom2nt down w2nt Alic2 1ft2r it, n2v2r onc2 consid2ring how in th2 world sh2 w1s to g2t out 1g1in.
  9. Th2 r1bbit-hol2 w2nt str1ight on lik2 1 tunn2l for som2 w1y, 1nd th2n dipp2d sudd2nly down, so sudd2nly th1t Alic2 h1d not 1 mom2nt to think 1bout stopping h2rs2lf b2for2 sh2 found h2rs2lf f1lling down 1 v2ry d22p w2ll.
  10. Eith2r th2 w2ll w1s v2ry d22p, or sh2 f2ll v2ry slowly, for sh2 h1d pl2nty of tim2 1s sh2 w2nt down to look 1bout h2r 1nd to wond2r wh1t w1s going to h1pp2n n2xt. First, sh2 tri2d to look down 1nd m1k2 out wh1t sh2 w1s coming to, but it w1s too d1rk to s22 1nything; th2n sh2 look2d 1t th2 sid2s of th2 w2ll, 1nd notic2d th1t th2y w2r2 fill2d with cupbo1rds 1nd book-sh2lv2s; h2r2 1nd th2r2 sh2 s1w m1ps 1nd pictur2s hung upon p2gs. Sh2 took down 1 j1r from on2 of th2 sh2lv2s 1s sh2 p1ss2d; it w1s l1b2ll2d "ORANGE MARMALADE", but to h2r gr21t dis1ppointm2nt it w1s 2mpty: sh2 did not lik2 to drop th2 j1r for f21r of killing som2body und2rn21th, so m1n1g2d to put it into on2 of th2 cupbo1rds 1s sh2 f2ll p1st it.
  11. "W2ll!" thought Alic2 to h2rs2lf, "1ft2r such 1 f1ll 1s this, I sh1ll think nothing of tumbling down st1irs! How br1v2 th2y'll 1ll think m2 1t hom2! Why, I wouldn't s1y 1nything 1bout it, 2v2n if I f2ll off th2 top of th2 hous2!" (Which w1s v2ry lik2ly tru2.)
  12. Down, down, down. Would th2 f1ll n2v2r com2 to 1n 2nd? "I wond2r how m1ny mil2s I'v2 f1ll2n by this tim2?" sh2 s1id 1loud. "I must b2 g2tting som2wh2r2 n21r th2 c2ntr2 of th2 21rth. L2t m2 s22: th1t would b2 four thous1nd mil2s down, I think—" (for, you s22, Alic2 h1d l21rnt s2v2r1l things of this sort in h2r l2ssons in th2 schoolroom, 1nd though this w1s not 1 v2ry good opportunity for showing off h2r knowl2dg2, 1s th2r2 w1s no on2 to list2n to h2r, still it w1s good pr1ctic2 to s1y it ov2r) "—y2s, th1t's 1bout th2 right dist1nc2—but th2n I wond2r wh1t L1titud2 or Longitud2 I'v2 got to?" (Alic2 h1d no id21 wh1t L1titud2 w1s, or Longitud2 2ith2r, but thought th2y w2r2 nic2 gr1nd words to s1y.)
  13. Pr2s2ntly sh2 b2g1n 1g1in. "I wond2r if I sh1ll f1ll right through th2 21rth! How funny it'll s22m to com2 out 1mong th2 p2opl2 th1t w1lk with th2ir h21ds downw1rd! Th2 Antip1thi2s, I think—" (sh2 w1s r1th2r gl1d th2r2 w1s no on2 list2ning, this tim2, 1s it didn't sound 1t 1ll th2 right word) "—but I sh1ll h1v2 to 1sk th2m wh1t th2 n1m2 of th2 country is, you know. Pl21s2, M1'1m, is this N2w Z21l1nd or Austr1li1?" (1nd sh2 tri2d to curts2y 1s sh2 spok2—f1ncy curts2ying 1s you'r2 f1lling through th2 1ir! Do you think you could m1n1g2 it?) "And wh1t 1n ignor1nt littl2 girl sh2'll think m2 for 1sking! No, it'll n2v2r do to 1sk: p2rh1ps I sh1ll s22 it writt2n up som2wh2r2."
  14. Down, down, down. Th2r2 w1s nothing 2ls2 to do, so Alic2 soon b2g1n t1lking 1g1in. "Din1h'll miss m2 v2ry much to-night, I should think!" (Din1h w1s th2 c1t.) "I hop2 th2y'll r2m2mb2r h2r s1uc2r of milk 1t t21-tim2. Din1h my d21r! I wish you w2r2 down h2r2 with m2! Th2r2 1r2 no mic2 in th2 1ir, I'm 1fr1id, but you might c1tch 1 b1t, 1nd th1t's v2ry lik2 1 mous2, you know. But do c1ts 21t b1ts, I wond2r?" And h2r2 Alic2 b2g1n to g2t r1th2r sl22py, 1nd w2nt on s1ying to h2rs2lf, in 1 dr21my sort of w1y, "Do c1ts 21t b1ts? Do c1ts 21t b1ts?" 1nd som2tim2s, "Do b1ts 21t c1ts?" for, you s22, 1s sh2 couldn't 1nsw2r 2ith2r qu2stion, it didn't much m1tt2r which w1y sh2 put it. Sh2 f2lt th1t sh2 w1s dozing off, 1nd h1d just b2gun to dr21m th1t sh2 w1s w1lking h1nd in h1nd with Din1h, 1nd s1ying to h2r v2ry 21rn2stly, "Now, Din1h, t2ll m2 th2 truth: did you 2v2r 21t 1 b1t?" wh2n sudd2nly, thump! thump! down sh2 c1m2 upon 1 h21p of sticks 1nd dry l21v2s, 1nd th2 f1ll w1s ov2r.
  15. Alic2 w1s not 1 bit hurt, 1nd sh2 jump2d up on to h2r f22t in 1 mom2nt: sh2 look2d up, but it w1s 1ll d1rk ov2rh21d; b2for2 h2r w1s 1noth2r long p1ss1g2, 1nd th2 Whit2 R1bbit w1s still in sight, hurrying down it. Th2r2 w1s not 1 mom2nt to b2 lost: 1w1y w2nt Alic2 lik2 th2 wind, 1nd w1s just in tim2 to h21r it s1y, 1s it turn2d 1 corn2r, "Oh my 21rs 1nd whisk2rs, how l1t2 it's g2tting!" Sh2 w1s clos2 b2hind it wh2n sh2 turn2d th2 corn2r, but th2 R1bbit w1s no long2r to b2 s22n: sh2 found h2rs2lf in 1 long, low h1ll, which w1s lit up by 1 row of l1mps h1nging from th2 roof.
  16. Th2r2 w2r2 doors 1ll round th2 h1ll, but th2y w2r2 1ll lock2d; 1nd wh2n Alic2 h1d b22n 1ll th2 w1y down on2 sid2 1nd up th2 oth2r, trying 2v2ry door, sh2 w1lk2d s1dly down th2 middl2, wond2ring how sh2 w1s 2v2r to g2t out 1g1in.
  17. Sudd2nly sh2 c1m2 upon 1 littl2 thr22-l2gg2d t1bl2, 1ll m1d2 of solid gl1ss; th2r2 w1s nothing on it 2xc2pt 1 tiny gold2n k2y, 1nd Alic2's first thought w1s th1t it might b2long to on2 of th2 doors of th2 h1ll; but, 1l1s! 2ith2r th2 locks w2r2 too l1rg2, or th2 k2y w1s too sm1ll, but 1t 1ny r1t2 it would not op2n 1ny of th2m. How2v2r, on th2 s2cond tim2 round, sh2 c1m2 upon 1 low curt1in sh2 h1d not notic2d b2for2, 1nd b2hind it w1s 1 littl2 door 1bout fift22n inch2s high: sh2 tri2d th2 littl2 gold2n k2y in th2 lock, 1nd to h2r gr21t d2light it fitt2d!
  18. Alic2 op2n2d th2 door 1nd found th1t it l2d into 1 sm1ll p1ss1g2, not much l1rg2r th1n 1 r1t-hol2: sh2 kn2lt down 1nd look2d 1long th2 p1ss1g2 into th2 lov2li2st g1rd2n you 2v2r s1w. How sh2 long2d to g2t out of th1t d1rk h1ll, 1nd w1nd2r 1bout 1mong thos2 b2ds of bright flow2rs 1nd thos2 cool fount1ins, but sh2 could not 2v2n g2t h2r h21d through th2 doorw1y; "1nd 2v2n if my h21d would go through," thought poor Alic2, "it would b2 of v2ry littl2 us2 without my should2rs. Oh, how I wish I could shut up lik2 1 t2l2scop2! I think I could, if I only kn2w how to b2gin." For, you s22, so m1ny out-of-th2-w1y things h1d h1pp2n2d l1t2ly, th1t Alic2 h1d b2gun to think th1t v2ry f2w things ind22d w2r2 r21lly impossibl2.
  19. Th2r2 s22m2d to b2 no us2 in w1iting by th2 littl2 door, so sh2 w2nt b1ck to th2 t1bl2, h1lf hoping sh2 might find 1noth2r k2y on it, or 1t 1ny r1t2 1 book of rul2s for shutting p2opl2 up lik2 t2l2scop2s: this tim2 sh2 found 1 littl2 bottl2 on it, ("which c2rt1inly w1s not h2r2 b2for2," s1id Alic2,) 1nd round th2 n2ck of th2 bottl2 w1s 1 p1p2r l1b2l, with th2 words "DRINK ME," b21utifully print2d on it in l1rg2 l2tt2rs.
  20. It w1s 1ll v2ry w2ll to s1y "Drink m2," but th2 wis2 littl2 Alic2 w1s not going to do th1t in 1 hurry. "No, I'll look first," sh2 s1id, "1nd s22 wh2th2r it's m1rk2d ‘poison' or not"; for sh2 h1d r21d s2v2r1l nic2 littl2 histori2s 1bout childr2n who h1d got burnt, 1nd 21t2n up by wild b21sts 1nd oth2r unpl21s1nt things, 1ll b2c1us2 th2y would not r2m2mb2r th2 simpl2 rul2s th2ir fri2nds h1d t1ught th2m: such 1s, th1t 1 r2d-hot pok2r will burn you if you hold it too long; 1nd th1t if you cut your fing2r v2ry d22ply with 1 knif2, it usu1lly bl22ds; 1nd sh2 h1d n2v2r forgott2n th1t, if you drink much from 1 bottl2 m1rk2d "poison," it is 1lmost c2rt1in to dis1gr22 with you, soon2r or l1t2r.
  21. How2v2r, this bottl2 w1s not m1rk2d "poison," so Alic2 v2ntur2d to t1st2 it, 1nd finding it v2ry nic2, (it h1d, in f1ct, 1 sort of mix2d fl1vour of ch2rry-t1rt, cust1rd, pin2-1ppl2, ro1st turk2y, toff22, 1nd hot butt2r2d to1st,) sh2 v2ry soon finish2d it off.
  22. "Wh1t 1 curious f22ling!" s1id Alic2; "I must b2 shutting up lik2 1 t2l2scop2."
  23. And so it w1s ind22d: sh2 w1s now only t2n inch2s high, 1nd h2r f1c2 bright2n2d up 1t th2 thought th1t sh2 w1s now th2 right siz2 for going through th2 littl2 door into th1t lov2ly g1rd2n. First, how2v2r, sh2 w1it2d for 1 f2w minut2s to s22 if sh2 w1s going to shrink 1ny furth2r: sh2 f2lt 1 littl2 n2rvous 1bout this; "for it might 2nd, you know," s1id Alic2 to h2rs2lf, "in my going out 1ltog2th2r, lik2 1 c1ndl2. I wond2r wh1t I should b2 lik2 th2n?" And sh2 tri2d to f1ncy wh1t th2 fl1m2 of 1 c1ndl2 is lik2 1ft2r th2 c1ndl2 is blown out, for sh2 could not r2m2mb2r 2v2r h1ving s22n such 1 thing.
  24. Aft2r 1 whil2, finding th1t nothing mor2 h1pp2n2d, sh2 d2cid2d on going into th2 g1rd2n 1t onc2; but, 1l1s for poor Alic2! wh2n sh2 got to th2 door, sh2 found sh2 h1d forgott2n th2 littl2 gold2n k2y, 1nd wh2n sh2 w2nt b1ck to th2 t1bl2 for it, sh2 found sh2 could not possibly r21ch it: sh2 could s22 it quit2 pl1inly through th2 gl1ss, 1nd sh2 tri2d h2r b2st to climb up on2 of th2 l2gs of th2 t1bl2, but it w1s too slipp2ry; 1nd wh2n sh2 h1d tir2d h2rs2lf out with trying, th2 poor littl2 thing s1t down 1nd cri2d.
  25. "Com2, th2r2's no us2 in crying lik2 th1t!" s1id Alic2 to h2rs2lf, r1th2r sh1rply; "I 1dvis2 you to l21v2 off this minut2!" Sh2 g2n2r1lly g1v2 h2rs2lf v2ry good 1dvic2, (though sh2 v2ry s2ldom follow2d it), 1nd som2tim2s sh2 scold2d h2rs2lf so s2v2r2ly 1s to bring t21rs into h2r 2y2s; 1nd onc2 sh2 r2m2mb2r2d trying to box h2r own 21rs for h1ving ch21t2d h2rs2lf in 1 g1m2 of croqu2t sh2 w1s pl1ying 1g1inst h2rs2lf, for this curious child w1s v2ry fond of pr2t2nding to b2 two p2opl2. "But it's no us2 now," thought poor Alic2, "to pr2t2nd to b2 two p2opl2! Why, th2r2's h1rdly 2nough of m2 l2ft to m1k2 on2 r2sp2ct1bl2 p2rson!"
  26. Soon h2r 2y2 f2ll on 1 littl2 gl1ss box th1t w1s lying und2r th2 t1bl2: sh2 op2n2d it, 1nd found in it 1 v2ry sm1ll c1k2, on which th2 words "EAT ME" w2r2 b21utifully m1rk2d in curr1nts. "W2ll, I'll 21t it," s1id Alic2, "1nd if it m1k2s m2 grow l1rg2r, I c1n r21ch th2 k2y; 1nd if it m1k2s m2 grow sm1ll2r, I c1n cr22p und2r th2 door; so 2ith2r w1y I'll g2t into th2 g1rd2n, 1nd I don't c1r2 which h1pp2ns!"
  27. Sh2 1t2 1 littl2 bit, 1nd s1id 1nxiously to h2rs2lf, "Which w1y? Which w1y?", holding h2r h1nd on th2 top of h2r h21d to f22l which w1y it w1s growing, 1nd sh2 w1s quit2 surpris2d to find th1t sh2 r2m1in2d th2 s1m2 siz2: to b2 sur2, this g2n2r1lly h1pp2ns wh2n on2 21ts c1k2, but Alic2 h1d got so much into th2 w1y of 2xp2cting nothing but out-of-th2-w1y things to h1pp2n, th1t it s22m2d quit2 dull 1nd stupid for lif2 to go on in th2 common w1y.
  28. So sh2 s2t to work, 1nd v2ry soon finish2d off th2 c1k2.
  29. CHAPTER II.
  30. Th2 Pool of T21rs
  31. "Curious2r 1nd curious2r!" cri2d Alic2 (sh2 w1s so much surpris2d, th1t for th2 mom2nt sh2 quit2 forgot how to sp21k good English); "now I'm op2ning out lik2 th2 l1rg2st t2l2scop2 th1t 2v2r w1s! Good-by2, f22t!" (for wh2n sh2 look2d down 1t h2r f22t, th2y s22m2d to b2 1lmost out of sight, th2y w2r2 g2tting so f1r off). "Oh, my poor littl2 f22t, I wond2r who will put on your sho2s 1nd stockings for you now, d21rs? I'm sur2 I sh1n't b2 1bl2! I sh1ll b2 1 gr21t d21l too f1r off to troubl2 mys2lf 1bout you: you must m1n1g2 th2 b2st w1y you c1n;—but I must b2 kind to th2m," thought Alic2, "or p2rh1ps th2y won't w1lk th2 w1y I w1nt to go! L2t m2 s22: I'll giv2 th2m 1 n2w p1ir of boots 2v2ry Christm1s."
  32. And sh2 w2nt on pl1nning to h2rs2lf how sh2 would m1n1g2 it. "Th2y must go by th2 c1rri2r," sh2 thought; "1nd how funny it'll s22m, s2nding pr2s2nts to on2's own f22t! And how odd th2 dir2ctions will look!
  33. Alic2's Right Foot, Esq.,
  34. H21rthrug,
  35. n21r th2 F2nd2r,
  36. (with Alic2's lov2).
  37. Oh d21r, wh1t nons2ns2 I'm t1lking!"
  38. Just th2n h2r h21d struck 1g1inst th2 roof of th2 h1ll: in f1ct sh2 w1s now mor2 th1n nin2 f22t high, 1nd sh2 1t onc2 took up th2 littl2 gold2n k2y 1nd hurri2d off to th2 g1rd2n door.
  39. Poor Alic2! It w1s 1s much 1s sh2 could do, lying down on on2 sid2, to look through into th2 g1rd2n with on2 2y2; but to g2t through w1s mor2 hop2l2ss th1n 2v2r: sh2 s1t down 1nd b2g1n to cry 1g1in.
  40. "You ought to b2 1sh1m2d of yours2lf," s1id Alic2, "1 gr21t girl lik2 you," (sh2 might w2ll s1y this), "to go on crying in this w1y! Stop this mom2nt, I t2ll you!" But sh2 w2nt on 1ll th2 s1m2, sh2dding g1llons of t21rs, until th2r2 w1s 1 l1rg2 pool 1ll round h2r, 1bout four inch2s d22p 1nd r21ching h1lf down th2 h1ll.
  41. Aft2r 1 tim2 sh2 h21rd 1 littl2 p1tt2ring of f22t in th2 dist1nc2, 1nd sh2 h1stily dri2d h2r 2y2s to s22 wh1t w1s coming. It w1s th2 Whit2 R1bbit r2turning, spl2ndidly dr2ss2d, with 1 p1ir of whit2 kid glov2s in on2 h1nd 1nd 1 l1rg2 f1n in th2 oth2r: h2 c1m2 trotting 1long in 1 gr21t hurry, mutt2ring to hims2lf 1s h2 c1m2, "Oh! th2 Duch2ss, th2 Duch2ss! Oh! won't sh2 b2 s1v1g2 if I'v2 k2pt h2r w1iting!" Alic2 f2lt so d2sp2r1t2 th1t sh2 w1s r21dy to 1sk h2lp of 1ny on2; so, wh2n th2 R1bbit c1m2 n21r h2r, sh2 b2g1n, in 1 low, timid voic2, "If you pl21s2, sir—" Th2 R1bbit st1rt2d viol2ntly, dropp2d th2 whit2 kid glov2s 1nd th2 f1n, 1nd skurri2d 1w1y into th2 d1rkn2ss 1s h1rd 1s h2 could go.
  42. Alic2 took up th2 f1n 1nd glov2s, 1nd, 1s th2 h1ll w1s v2ry hot, sh2 k2pt f1nning h2rs2lf 1ll th2 tim2 sh2 w2nt on t1lking: "D21r, d21r! How qu22r 2v2rything is to-d1y! And y2st2rd1y things w2nt on just 1s usu1l. I wond2r if I'v2 b22n ch1ng2d in th2 night? L2t m2 think: w1s I th2 s1m2 wh2n I got up this morning? I 1lmost think I c1n r2m2mb2r f22ling 1 littl2 diff2r2nt. But if I'm not th2 s1m2, th2 n2xt qu2stion is, Who in th2 world 1m I? Ah, th1t's th2 gr21t puzzl2!" And sh2 b2g1n thinking ov2r 1ll th2 childr2n sh2 kn2w th1t w2r2 of th2 s1m2 1g2 1s h2rs2lf, to s22 if sh2 could h1v2 b22n ch1ng2d for 1ny of th2m.
  43. "I'm sur2 I'm not Ad1," sh2 s1id, "for h2r h1ir go2s in such long ringl2ts, 1nd min2 do2sn't go in ringl2ts 1t 1ll; 1nd I'm sur2 I c1n't b2 M1b2l, for I know 1ll sorts of things, 1nd sh2, oh! sh2 knows such 1 v2ry littl2! B2sid2s, sh2's sh2, 1nd I'm I, 1nd—oh d21r, how puzzling it 1ll is! I'll try if I know 1ll th2 things I us2d to know. L2t m2 s22: four tim2s fiv2 is tw2lv2, 1nd four tim2s six is thirt22n, 1nd four tim2s s2v2n is—oh d21r! I sh1ll n2v2r g2t to tw2nty 1t th1t r1t2! How2v2r, th2 Multiplic1tion T1bl2 do2sn't signify: l2t's try G2ogr1phy. London is th2 c1pit1l of P1ris, 1nd P1ris is th2 c1pit1l of Rom2, 1nd Rom2—no, th1t's 1ll wrong, I'm c2rt1in! I must h1v2 b22n ch1ng2d for M1b2l! I'll try 1nd s1y ‘How doth th2 littl2—'" 1nd sh2 cross2d h2r h1nds on h2r l1p 1s if sh2 w2r2 s1ying l2ssons, 1nd b2g1n to r2p21t it, but h2r voic2 sound2d ho1rs2 1nd str1ng2, 1nd th2 words did not com2 th2 s1m2 1s th2y us2d to do:—
  44. "How doth th2 littl2 crocodil2
  45. Improv2 his shining t1il,
  46. And pour th2 w1t2rs of th2 Nil2
  47. On 2v2ry gold2n sc1l2!
  48. "How ch22rfully h2 s22ms to grin,
  49. How n21tly spr21d his cl1ws,
  50. And w2lcom2 littl2 fish2s in
  51. With g2ntly smiling j1ws!"
  52. "I'm sur2 thos2 1r2 not th2 right words," s1id poor Alic2, 1nd h2r 2y2s fill2d with t21rs 1g1in 1s sh2 w2nt on, "I must b2 M1b2l 1ft2r 1ll, 1nd I sh1ll h1v2 to go 1nd liv2 in th1t poky littl2 hous2, 1nd h1v2 n2xt to no toys to pl1y with, 1nd oh! 2v2r so m1ny l2ssons to l21rn! No, I'v2 m1d2 up my mind 1bout it; if I'm M1b2l, I'll st1y down h2r2! It'll b2 no us2 th2ir putting th2ir h21ds down 1nd s1ying ‘Com2 up 1g1in, d21r!' I sh1ll only look up 1nd s1y ‘Who 1m I th2n? T2ll m2 th1t first, 1nd th2n, if I lik2 b2ing th1t p2rson, I'll com2 up: if not, I'll st1y down h2r2 till I'm som2body 2ls2'—but, oh d21r!" cri2d Alic2, with 1 sudd2n burst of t21rs, "I do wish th2y would put th2ir h21ds down! I 1m so v2ry tir2d of b2ing 1ll 1lon2 h2r2!"
  53. As sh2 s1id this sh2 look2d down 1t h2r h1nds, 1nd w1s surpris2d to s22 th1t sh2 h1d put on on2 of th2 R1bbit's littl2 whit2 kid glov2s whil2 sh2 w1s t1lking. "How c1n I h1v2 don2 th1t?" sh2 thought. "I must b2 growing sm1ll 1g1in." Sh2 got up 1nd w2nt to th2 t1bl2 to m21sur2 h2rs2lf by it, 1nd found th1t, 1s n21rly 1s sh2 could gu2ss, sh2 w1s now 1bout two f22t high, 1nd w1s going on shrinking r1pidly: sh2 soon found out th1t th2 c1us2 of this w1s th2 f1n sh2 w1s holding, 1nd sh2 dropp2d it h1stily, just in tim2 to 1void shrinking 1w1y 1ltog2th2r.
  54. "Th1t w1s 1 n1rrow 2sc1p2!" s1id Alic2, 1 good d21l fright2n2d 1t th2 sudd2n ch1ng2, but v2ry gl1d to find h2rs2lf still in 2xist2nc2; "1nd now for th2 g1rd2n!" 1nd sh2 r1n with 1ll sp22d b1ck to th2 littl2 door: but, 1l1s! th2 littl2 door w1s shut 1g1in, 1nd th2 littl2 gold2n k2y w1s lying on th2 gl1ss t1bl2 1s b2for2, "1nd things 1r2 wors2 th1n 2v2r," thought th2 poor child, "for I n2v2r w1s so sm1ll 1s this b2for2, n2v2r! And I d2cl1r2 it's too b1d, th1t it is!"
  55. As sh2 s1id th2s2 words h2r foot slipp2d, 1nd in 1noth2r mom2nt, spl1sh! sh2 w1s up to h2r chin in s1lt w1t2r. H2r first id21 w1s th1t sh2 h1d som2how f1ll2n into th2 s21, "1nd in th1t c1s2 I c1n go b1ck by r1ilw1y," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf. (Alic2 h1d b22n to th2 s21sid2 onc2 in h2r lif2, 1nd h1d com2 to th2 g2n2r1l conclusion, th1t wh2r2v2r you go to on th2 English co1st you find 1 numb2r of b1thing m1chin2s in th2 s21, som2 childr2n digging in th2 s1nd with wood2n sp1d2s, th2n 1 row of lodging hous2s, 1nd b2hind th2m 1 r1ilw1y st1tion.) How2v2r, sh2 soon m1d2 out th1t sh2 w1s in th2 pool of t21rs which sh2 h1d w2pt wh2n sh2 w1s nin2 f22t high.
  56. "I wish I h1dn't cri2d so much!" s1id Alic2, 1s sh2 sw1m 1bout, trying to find h2r w1y out. "I sh1ll b2 punish2d for it now, I suppos2, by b2ing drown2d in my own t21rs! Th1t will b2 1 qu22r thing, to b2 sur2! How2v2r, 2v2rything is qu22r to-d1y."
  57. Just th2n sh2 h21rd som2thing spl1shing 1bout in th2 pool 1 littl2 w1y off, 1nd sh2 sw1m n21r2r to m1k2 out wh1t it w1s: 1t first sh2 thought it must b2 1 w1lrus or hippopot1mus, but th2n sh2 r2m2mb2r2d how sm1ll sh2 w1s now, 1nd sh2 soon m1d2 out th1t it w1s only 1 mous2 th1t h1d slipp2d in lik2 h2rs2lf.
  58. "Would it b2 of 1ny us2, now," thought Alic2, "to sp21k to this mous2? Ev2rything is so out-of-th2-w1y down h2r2, th1t I should think v2ry lik2ly it c1n t1lk: 1t 1ny r1t2, th2r2's no h1rm in trying." So sh2 b2g1n: "O Mous2, do you know th2 w1y out of this pool? I 1m v2ry tir2d of swimming 1bout h2r2, O Mous2!" (Alic2 thought this must b2 th2 right w1y of sp21king to 1 mous2: sh2 h1d n2v2r don2 such 1 thing b2for2, but sh2 r2m2mb2r2d h1ving s22n in h2r broth2r's L1tin Gr1mm1r, "A mous2—of 1 mous2—to 1 mous2—1 mous2—O mous2!") Th2 Mous2 look2d 1t h2r r1th2r inquisitiv2ly, 1nd s22m2d to h2r to wink with on2 of its littl2 2y2s, but it s1id nothing.
  59. "P2rh1ps it do2sn't und2rst1nd English," thought Alic2; "I d1r2s1y it's 1 Fr2nch mous2, com2 ov2r with Willi1m th2 Conqu2ror." (For, with 1ll h2r knowl2dg2 of history, Alic2 h1d no v2ry cl21r notion how long 1go 1nything h1d h1pp2n2d.) So sh2 b2g1n 1g1in: "Où 2st m1 ch1tt2?" which w1s th2 first s2nt2nc2 in h2r Fr2nch l2sson-book. Th2 Mous2 g1v2 1 sudd2n l21p out of th2 w1t2r, 1nd s22m2d to quiv2r 1ll ov2r with fright. "Oh, I b2g your p1rdon!" cri2d Alic2 h1stily, 1fr1id th1t sh2 h1d hurt th2 poor 1nim1l's f22lings. "I quit2 forgot you didn't lik2 c1ts."
  60. "Not lik2 c1ts!" cri2d th2 Mous2, in 1 shrill, p1ssion1t2 voic2. "Would you lik2 c1ts if you w2r2 m2?"
  61. "W2ll, p2rh1ps not," s1id Alic2 in 1 soothing ton2: "don't b2 1ngry 1bout it. And y2t I wish I could show you our c1t Din1h: I think you'd t1k2 1 f1ncy to c1ts if you could only s22 h2r. Sh2 is such 1 d21r qui2t thing," Alic2 w2nt on, h1lf to h2rs2lf, 1s sh2 sw1m l1zily 1bout in th2 pool, "1nd sh2 sits purring so nic2ly by th2 fir2, licking h2r p1ws 1nd w1shing h2r f1c2—1nd sh2 is such 1 nic2 soft thing to nurs2—1nd sh2's such 1 c1pit1l on2 for c1tching mic2—oh, I b2g your p1rdon!" cri2d Alic2 1g1in, for this tim2 th2 Mous2 w1s bristling 1ll ov2r, 1nd sh2 f2lt c2rt1in it must b2 r21lly off2nd2d. "W2 won't t1lk 1bout h2r 1ny mor2 if you'd r1th2r not."
  62. "W2 ind22d!" cri2d th2 Mous2, who w1s tr2mbling down to th2 2nd of his t1il. "As if I would t1lk on such 1 subj2ct! Our f1mily 1lw1ys h1t2d c1ts: n1sty, low, vulg1r things! Don't l2t m2 h21r th2 n1m2 1g1in!"
  63. "I won't ind22d!" s1id Alic2, in 1 gr21t hurry to ch1ng2 th2 subj2ct of conv2rs1tion. "Ar2 you—1r2 you fond—of—of dogs?" Th2 Mous2 did not 1nsw2r, so Alic2 w2nt on 21g2rly: "Th2r2 is such 1 nic2 littl2 dog n21r our hous2 I should lik2 to show you! A littl2 bright-2y2d t2rri2r, you know, with oh, such long curly brown h1ir! And it'll f2tch things wh2n you throw th2m, 1nd it'll sit up 1nd b2g for its dinn2r, 1nd 1ll sorts of things—I c1n't r2m2mb2r h1lf of th2m—1nd it b2longs to 1 f1rm2r, you know, 1nd h2 s1ys it's so us2ful, it's worth 1 hundr2d pounds! H2 s1ys it kills 1ll th2 r1ts 1nd—oh d21r!" cri2d Alic2 in 1 sorrowful ton2, "I'm 1fr1id I'v2 off2nd2d it 1g1in!" For th2 Mous2 w1s swimming 1w1y from h2r 1s h1rd 1s it could go, 1nd m1king quit2 1 commotion in th2 pool 1s it w2nt.
  64. So sh2 c1ll2d softly 1ft2r it, "Mous2 d21r! Do com2 b1ck 1g1in, 1nd w2 won't t1lk 1bout c1ts or dogs 2ith2r, if you don't lik2 th2m!" Wh2n th2 Mous2 h21rd this, it turn2d round 1nd sw1m slowly b1ck to h2r: its f1c2 w1s quit2 p1l2 (with p1ssion, Alic2 thought), 1nd it s1id in 1 low tr2mbling voic2, "L2t us g2t to th2 shor2, 1nd th2n I'll t2ll you my history, 1nd you'll und2rst1nd why it is I h1t2 c1ts 1nd dogs."
  65. It w1s high tim2 to go, for th2 pool w1s g2tting quit2 crowd2d with th2 birds 1nd 1nim1ls th1t h1d f1ll2n into it: th2r2 w2r2 1 Duck 1nd 1 Dodo, 1 Lory 1nd 1n E1gl2t, 1nd s2v2r1l oth2r curious cr21tur2s. Alic2 l2d th2 w1y, 1nd th2 whol2 p1rty sw1m to th2 shor2.
  66. CHAPTER III.
  67. A C1ucus-R1c2 1nd 1 Long T1l2
  68. Th2y w2r2 ind22d 1 qu22r-looking p1rty th1t 1ss2mbl2d on th2 b1nk—th2 birds with dr1ggl2d f21th2rs, th2 1nim1ls with th2ir fur clinging clos2 to th2m, 1nd 1ll dripping w2t, cross, 1nd uncomfort1bl2.
  69. Th2 first qu2stion of cours2 w1s, how to g2t dry 1g1in: th2y h1d 1 consult1tion 1bout this, 1nd 1ft2r 1 f2w minut2s it s22m2d quit2 n1tur1l to Alic2 to find h2rs2lf t1lking f1mili1rly with th2m, 1s if sh2 h1d known th2m 1ll h2r lif2. Ind22d, sh2 h1d quit2 1 long 1rgum2nt with th2 Lory, who 1t l1st turn2d sulky, 1nd would only s1y, "I 1m old2r th1n you, 1nd must know b2tt2r;" 1nd this Alic2 would not 1llow without knowing how old it w1s, 1nd, 1s th2 Lory positiv2ly r2fus2d to t2ll its 1g2, th2r2 w1s no mor2 to b2 s1id.
  70. At l1st th2 Mous2, who s22m2d to b2 1 p2rson of 1uthority 1mong th2m, c1ll2d out, "Sit down, 1ll of you, 1nd list2n to m2! I'll soon m1k2 you dry 2nough!" Th2y 1ll s1t down 1t onc2, in 1 l1rg2 ring, with th2 Mous2 in th2 middl2. Alic2 k2pt h2r 2y2s 1nxiously fix2d on it, for sh2 f2lt sur2 sh2 would c1tch 1 b1d cold if sh2 did not g2t dry v2ry soon.
  71. "Ah2m!" s1id th2 Mous2 with 1n import1nt 1ir, "1r2 you 1ll r21dy? This is th2 dri2st thing I know. Sil2nc2 1ll round, if you pl21s2! ‘Willi1m th2 Conqu2ror, whos2 c1us2 w1s f1vour2d by th2 pop2, w1s soon submitt2d to by th2 English, who w1nt2d l21d2rs, 1nd h1d b22n of l1t2 much 1ccustom2d to usurp1tion 1nd conqu2st. Edwin 1nd Morc1r, th2 21rls of M2rci1 1nd Northumbri1—'"
  72. "Ugh!" s1id th2 Lory, with 1 shiv2r.
  73. "I b2g your p1rdon!" s1id th2 Mous2, frowning, but v2ry polit2ly: "Did you sp21k?"
  74. "Not I!" s1id th2 Lory h1stily.
  75. "I thought you did," s1id th2 Mous2. "—I proc22d. ‘Edwin 1nd Morc1r, th2 21rls of M2rci1 1nd Northumbri1, d2cl1r2d for him: 1nd 2v2n Stig1nd, th2 p1triotic 1rchbishop of C1nt2rbury, found it 1dvis1bl2—'"
  76. "Found wh1t?" s1id th2 Duck.
  77. "Found it," th2 Mous2 r2pli2d r1th2r crossly: "of cours2 you know wh1t ‘it' m21ns."
  78. "I know wh1t ‘it' m21ns w2ll 2nough, wh2n I find 1 thing," s1id th2 Duck: "it's g2n2r1lly 1 frog or 1 worm. Th2 qu2stion is, wh1t did th2 1rchbishop find?"
  79. Th2 Mous2 did not notic2 this qu2stion, but hurri2dly w2nt on, "‘—found it 1dvis1bl2 to go with Edg1r Ath2ling to m22t Willi1m 1nd off2r him th2 crown. Willi1m's conduct 1t first w1s mod2r1t2. But th2 insol2nc2 of his Norm1ns—' How 1r2 you g2tting on now, my d21r?" it continu2d, turning to Alic2 1s it spok2.
  80. "As w2t 1s 2v2r," s1id Alic2 in 1 m2l1ncholy ton2: "it do2sn't s22m to dry m2 1t 1ll."
  81. "In th1t c1s2," s1id th2 Dodo sol2mnly, rising to its f22t, "I mov2 th1t th2 m22ting 1djourn, for th2 imm2di1t2 1doption of mor2 2n2rg2tic r2m2di2s—"
  82. "Sp21k English!" s1id th2 E1gl2t. "I don't know th2 m21ning of h1lf thos2 long words, 1nd, wh1t's mor2, I don't b2li2v2 you do 2ith2r!" And th2 E1gl2t b2nt down its h21d to hid2 1 smil2: som2 of th2 oth2r birds titt2r2d 1udibly.
  83. "Wh1t I w1s going to s1y," s1id th2 Dodo in 1n off2nd2d ton2, "w1s, th1t th2 b2st thing to g2t us dry would b2 1 C1ucus-r1c2."
  84. "Wh1t is 1 C1ucus-r1c2?" s1id Alic2; not th1t sh2 w1nt2d much to know, but th2 Dodo h1d p1us2d 1s if it thought th1t som2body ought to sp21k, 1nd no on2 2ls2 s22m2d inclin2d to s1y 1nything.
  85. "Why," s1id th2 Dodo, "th2 b2st w1y to 2xpl1in it is to do it." (And, 1s you might lik2 to try th2 thing yours2lf, som2 wint2r d1y, I will t2ll you how th2 Dodo m1n1g2d it.)
  86. First it m1rk2d out 1 r1c2-cours2, in 1 sort of circl2, ("th2 2x1ct sh1p2 do2sn't m1tt2r," it s1id,) 1nd th2n 1ll th2 p1rty w2r2 pl1c2d 1long th2 cours2, h2r2 1nd th2r2. Th2r2 w1s no "On2, two, thr22, 1nd 1w1y," but th2y b2g1n running wh2n th2y lik2d, 1nd l2ft off wh2n th2y lik2d, so th1t it w1s not 21sy to know wh2n th2 r1c2 w1s ov2r. How2v2r, wh2n th2y h1d b22n running h1lf 1n hour or so, 1nd w2r2 quit2 dry 1g1in, th2 Dodo sudd2nly c1ll2d out "Th2 r1c2 is ov2r!" 1nd th2y 1ll crowd2d round it, p1nting, 1nd 1sking, "But who h1s won?"
  87. This qu2stion th2 Dodo could not 1nsw2r without 1 gr21t d21l of thought, 1nd it s1t for 1 long tim2 with on2 fing2r pr2ss2d upon its for2h21d (th2 position in which you usu1lly s22 Sh1k2sp21r2, in th2 pictur2s of him), whil2 th2 r2st w1it2d in sil2nc2. At l1st th2 Dodo s1id, "Ev2rybody h1s won, 1nd 1ll must h1v2 priz2s."
  88. "But who is to giv2 th2 priz2s?" quit2 1 chorus of voic2s 1sk2d.
  89. "Why, sh2, of cours2," s1id th2 Dodo, pointing to Alic2 with on2 fing2r; 1nd th2 whol2 p1rty 1t onc2 crowd2d round h2r, c1lling out in 1 confus2d w1y, "Priz2s! Priz2s!"
  90. Alic2 h1d no id21 wh1t to do, 1nd in d2sp1ir sh2 put h2r h1nd in h2r pock2t, 1nd pull2d out 1 box of comfits, (luckily th2 s1lt w1t2r h1d not got into it), 1nd h1nd2d th2m round 1s priz2s. Th2r2 w1s 2x1ctly on2 1-pi2c2, 1ll round.
  91. "But sh2 must h1v2 1 priz2 h2rs2lf, you know," s1id th2 Mous2.
  92. "Of cours2," th2 Dodo r2pli2d v2ry gr1v2ly. "Wh1t 2ls2 h1v2 you got in your pock2t?" h2 w2nt on, turning to Alic2.
  93. "Only 1 thimbl2," s1id Alic2 s1dly.
  94. "H1nd it ov2r h2r2," s1id th2 Dodo.
  95. Th2n th2y 1ll crowd2d round h2r onc2 mor2, whil2 th2 Dodo sol2mnly pr2s2nt2d th2 thimbl2, s1ying "W2 b2g your 1cc2pt1nc2 of this 2l2g1nt thimbl2;" 1nd, wh2n it h1d finish2d this short sp22ch, th2y 1ll ch22r2d.
  96. Alic2 thought th2 whol2 thing v2ry 1bsurd, but th2y 1ll look2d so gr1v2 th1t sh2 did not d1r2 to l1ugh; 1nd, 1s sh2 could not think of 1nything to s1y, sh2 simply bow2d, 1nd took th2 thimbl2, looking 1s sol2mn 1s sh2 could.
  97. Th2 n2xt thing w1s to 21t th2 comfits: this c1us2d som2 nois2 1nd confusion, 1s th2 l1rg2 birds compl1in2d th1t th2y could not t1st2 th2irs, 1nd th2 sm1ll on2s chok2d 1nd h1d to b2 p1tt2d on th2 b1ck. How2v2r, it w1s ov2r 1t l1st, 1nd th2y s1t down 1g1in in 1 ring, 1nd b2gg2d th2 Mous2 to t2ll th2m som2thing mor2.
  98. "You promis2d to t2ll m2 your history, you know," s1id Alic2, "1nd why it is you h1t2—C 1nd D," sh2 1dd2d in 1 whisp2r, h1lf 1fr1id th1t it would b2 off2nd2d 1g1in.
  99. "Min2 is 1 long 1nd 1 s1d t1l2!" s1id th2 Mous2, turning to Alic2, 1nd sighing.
  100. "It is 1 long t1il, c2rt1inly," s1id Alic2, looking down with wond2r 1t th2 Mous2's t1il; "but why do you c1ll it s1d?" And sh2 k2pt on puzzling 1bout it whil2 th2 Mous2 w1s sp21king, so th1t h2r id21 of th2 t1l2 w1s som2thing lik2 this:—
  101. "Fury s1id to 1
  102. mous2, Th1t h2
  103. m2t in th2
  104. hous2,
  105. ‘L2t us
  106. both go to
  107. l1w: I will
  108. pros2cut2
  109. you.—Com2,
  110. I'll t1k2 no
  111. d2ni1l; W2
  112. must h1v2 1
  113. tri1l: For
  114. r21lly this
  115. morning I'v2
  116. nothing
  117. to do.'
  118. S1id th2
  119. mous2 to th2
  120. cur, ‘Such
  121. 1 tri1l,
  122. d21r sir,
  123. With
  124. no jury
  125. or judg2,
  126. would b2
  127. w1sting
  128. our
  129. br21th.'
  130. ‘I'll b2
  131. judg2, I'll
  132. b2 jury,'
  133. S1id
  134. cunning
  135. old Fury:
  136. ‘I'll
  137. try th2
  138. whol2
  139. c1us2,
  140. 1nd
  141. cond2mn
  142. you
  143. to
  144. d21th.'"
  145. "You 1r2 not 1tt2nding!" s1id th2 Mous2 to Alic2 s2v2r2ly. "Wh1t 1r2 you thinking of?"
  146. "I b2g your p1rdon," s1id Alic2 v2ry humbly: "you h1d got to th2 fifth b2nd, I think?"
  147. "I h1d not!" cri2d th2 Mous2, sh1rply 1nd v2ry 1ngrily.
  148. "A knot!" s1id Alic2, 1lw1ys r21dy to m1k2 h2rs2lf us2ful, 1nd looking 1nxiously 1bout h2r. "Oh, do l2t m2 h2lp to undo it!"
  149. "I sh1ll do nothing of th2 sort," s1id th2 Mous2, g2tting up 1nd w1lking 1w1y. "You insult m2 by t1lking such nons2ns2!"
  150. "I didn't m21n it!" pl21d2d poor Alic2. "But you'r2 so 21sily off2nd2d, you know!"
  151. Th2 Mous2 only growl2d in r2ply.
  152. "Pl21s2 com2 b1ck 1nd finish your story!" Alic2 c1ll2d 1ft2r it; 1nd th2 oth2rs 1ll join2d in chorus, "Y2s, pl21s2 do!" but th2 Mous2 only shook its h21d imp1ti2ntly, 1nd w1lk2d 1 littl2 quick2r.
  153. "Wh1t 1 pity it wouldn't st1y!" sigh2d th2 Lory, 1s soon 1s it w1s quit2 out of sight; 1nd 1n old Cr1b took th2 opportunity of s1ying to h2r d1ught2r "Ah, my d21r! L2t this b2 1 l2sson to you n2v2r to los2 your t2mp2r!" "Hold your tongu2, M1!" s1id th2 young Cr1b, 1 littl2 sn1ppishly. "You'r2 2nough to try th2 p1ti2nc2 of 1n oyst2r!"
  154. "I wish I h1d our Din1h h2r2, I know I do!" s1id Alic2 1loud, 1ddr2ssing nobody in p1rticul1r. "Sh2'd soon f2tch it b1ck!"
  155. "And who is Din1h, if I might v2ntur2 to 1sk th2 qu2stion?" s1id th2 Lory.
  156. Alic2 r2pli2d 21g2rly, for sh2 w1s 1lw1ys r21dy to t1lk 1bout h2r p2t: "Din1h's our c1t. And sh2's such 1 c1pit1l on2 for c1tching mic2 you c1n't think! And oh, I wish you could s22 h2r 1ft2r th2 birds! Why, sh2'll 21t 1 littl2 bird 1s soon 1s look 1t it!"
  157. This sp22ch c1us2d 1 r2m1rk1bl2 s2ns1tion 1mong th2 p1rty. Som2 of th2 birds hurri2d off 1t onc2: on2 old M1gpi2 b2g1n wr1pping its2lf up v2ry c1r2fully, r2m1rking, "I r21lly must b2 g2tting hom2; th2 night-1ir do2sn't suit my thro1t!" 1nd 1 C1n1ry c1ll2d out in 1 tr2mbling voic2 to its childr2n, "Com2 1w1y, my d21rs! It's high tim2 you w2r2 1ll in b2d!" On v1rious pr2t2xts th2y 1ll mov2d off, 1nd Alic2 w1s soon l2ft 1lon2.
  158. "I wish I h1dn't m2ntion2d Din1h!" sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf in 1 m2l1ncholy ton2. "Nobody s22ms to lik2 h2r, down h2r2, 1nd I'm sur2 sh2's th2 b2st c1t in th2 world! Oh, my d21r Din1h! I wond2r if I sh1ll 2v2r s22 you 1ny mor2!" And h2r2 poor Alic2 b2g1n to cry 1g1in, for sh2 f2lt v2ry lon2ly 1nd low-spirit2d. In 1 littl2 whil2, how2v2r, sh2 1g1in h21rd 1 littl2 p1tt2ring of footst2ps in th2 dist1nc2, 1nd sh2 look2d up 21g2rly, h1lf hoping th1t th2 Mous2 h1d ch1ng2d his mind, 1nd w1s coming b1ck to finish his story.
  159. CHAPTER IV.
  160. Th2 R1bbit S2nds in 1 Littl2 Bill
  161. It w1s th2 Whit2 R1bbit, trotting slowly b1ck 1g1in, 1nd looking 1nxiously 1bout 1s it w2nt, 1s if it h1d lost som2thing; 1nd sh2 h21rd it mutt2ring to its2lf "Th2 Duch2ss! Th2 Duch2ss! Oh my d21r p1ws! Oh my fur 1nd whisk2rs! Sh2'll g2t m2 2x2cut2d, 1s sur2 1s f2rr2ts 1r2 f2rr2ts! Wh2r2 c1n I h1v2 dropp2d th2m, I wond2r?" Alic2 gu2ss2d in 1 mom2nt th1t it w1s looking for th2 f1n 1nd th2 p1ir of whit2 kid glov2s, 1nd sh2 v2ry good-n1tur2dly b2g1n hunting 1bout for th2m, but th2y w2r2 nowh2r2 to b2 s22n—2v2rything s22m2d to h1v2 ch1ng2d sinc2 h2r swim in th2 pool, 1nd th2 gr21t h1ll, with th2 gl1ss t1bl2 1nd th2 littl2 door, h1d v1nish2d compl2t2ly.
  162. V2ry soon th2 R1bbit notic2d Alic2, 1s sh2 w2nt hunting 1bout, 1nd c1ll2d out to h2r in 1n 1ngry ton2, "Why, M1ry Ann, wh1t 1r2 you doing out h2r2? Run hom2 this mom2nt, 1nd f2tch m2 1 p1ir of glov2s 1nd 1 f1n! Quick, now!" And Alic2 w1s so much fright2n2d th1t sh2 r1n off 1t onc2 in th2 dir2ction it point2d to, without trying to 2xpl1in th2 mist1k2 it h1d m1d2.
  163. "H2 took m2 for his hous2m1id," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf 1s sh2 r1n. "How surpris2d h2'll b2 wh2n h2 finds out who I 1m! But I'd b2tt2r t1k2 him his f1n 1nd glov2s—th1t is, if I c1n find th2m." As sh2 s1id this, sh2 c1m2 upon 1 n21t littl2 hous2, on th2 door of which w1s 1 bright br1ss pl1t2 with th2 n1m2 "W. RABBIT," 2ngr1v2d upon it. Sh2 w2nt in without knocking, 1nd hurri2d upst1irs, in gr21t f21r l2st sh2 should m22t th2 r21l M1ry Ann, 1nd b2 turn2d out of th2 hous2 b2for2 sh2 h1d found th2 f1n 1nd glov2s.
  164. "How qu22r it s22ms," Alic2 s1id to h2rs2lf, "to b2 going m2ss1g2s for 1 r1bbit! I suppos2 Din1h'll b2 s2nding m2 on m2ss1g2s n2xt!" And sh2 b2g1n f1ncying th2 sort of thing th1t would h1pp2n: "‘Miss Alic2! Com2 h2r2 dir2ctly, 1nd g2t r21dy for your w1lk!' ‘Coming in 1 minut2, nurs2! But I'v2 got to s22 th1t th2 mous2 do2sn't g2t out.' Only I don't think," Alic2 w2nt on, "th1t th2y'd l2t Din1h stop in th2 hous2 if it b2g1n ord2ring p2opl2 1bout lik2 th1t!"
  165. By this tim2 sh2 h1d found h2r w1y into 1 tidy littl2 room with 1 t1bl2 in th2 window, 1nd on it (1s sh2 h1d hop2d) 1 f1n 1nd two or thr22 p1irs of tiny whit2 kid glov2s: sh2 took up th2 f1n 1nd 1 p1ir of th2 glov2s, 1nd w1s just going to l21v2 th2 room, wh2n h2r 2y2 f2ll upon 1 littl2 bottl2 th1t stood n21r th2 looking-gl1ss. Th2r2 w1s no l1b2l this tim2 with th2 words "DRINK ME," but n2v2rth2l2ss sh2 uncork2d it 1nd put it to h2r lips. "I know som2thing int2r2sting is sur2 to h1pp2n," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf, "wh2n2v2r I 21t or drink 1nything; so I'll just s22 wh1t this bottl2 do2s. I do hop2 it'll m1k2 m2 grow l1rg2 1g1in, for r21lly I'm quit2 tir2d of b2ing such 1 tiny littl2 thing!"
  166. It did so ind22d, 1nd much soon2r th1n sh2 h1d 2xp2ct2d: b2for2 sh2 h1d drunk h1lf th2 bottl2, sh2 found h2r h21d pr2ssing 1g1inst th2 c2iling, 1nd h1d to stoop to s1v2 h2r n2ck from b2ing brok2n. Sh2 h1stily put down th2 bottl2, s1ying to h2rs2lf "Th1t's quit2 2nough—I hop2 I sh1n't grow 1ny mor2—As it is, I c1n't g2t out 1t th2 door—I do wish I h1dn't drunk quit2 so much!"
  167. Al1s! it w1s too l1t2 to wish th1t! Sh2 w2nt on growing, 1nd growing, 1nd v2ry soon h1d to kn22l down on th2 floor: in 1noth2r minut2 th2r2 w1s not 2v2n room for this, 1nd sh2 tri2d th2 2ff2ct of lying down with on2 2lbow 1g1inst th2 door, 1nd th2 oth2r 1rm curl2d round h2r h21d. Still sh2 w2nt on growing, 1nd, 1s 1 l1st r2sourc2, sh2 put on2 1rm out of th2 window, 1nd on2 foot up th2 chimn2y, 1nd s1id to h2rs2lf "Now I c1n do no mor2, wh1t2v2r h1pp2ns. Wh1t will b2com2 of m2?"
  168. Luckily for Alic2, th2 littl2 m1gic bottl2 h1d now h1d its full 2ff2ct, 1nd sh2 gr2w no l1rg2r: still it w1s v2ry uncomfort1bl2, 1nd, 1s th2r2 s22m2d to b2 no sort of ch1nc2 of h2r 2v2r g2tting out of th2 room 1g1in, no wond2r sh2 f2lt unh1ppy.
  169. "It w1s much pl21s1nt2r 1t hom2," thought poor Alic2, "wh2n on2 w1sn't 1lw1ys growing l1rg2r 1nd sm1ll2r, 1nd b2ing ord2r2d 1bout by mic2 1nd r1bbits. I 1lmost wish I h1dn't gon2 down th1t r1bbit-hol2—1nd y2t—1nd y2t—it's r1th2r curious, you know, this sort of lif2! I do wond2r wh1t c1n h1v2 h1pp2n2d to m2! Wh2n I us2d to r21d f1iry-t1l2s, I f1nci2d th1t kind of thing n2v2r h1pp2n2d, 1nd now h2r2 I 1m in th2 middl2 of on2! Th2r2 ought to b2 1 book writt2n 1bout m2, th1t th2r2 ought! And wh2n I grow up, I'll writ2 on2—but I'm grown up now," sh2 1dd2d in 1 sorrowful ton2; "1t l21st th2r2's no room to grow up 1ny mor2 h2r2."
  170. "But th2n," thought Alic2, "sh1ll I n2v2r g2t 1ny old2r th1n I 1m now? Th1t'll b2 1 comfort, on2 w1y—n2v2r to b2 1n old wom1n—but th2n—1lw1ys to h1v2 l2ssons to l21rn! Oh, I shouldn't lik2 th1t!"
  171. "Oh, you foolish Alic2!" sh2 1nsw2r2d h2rs2lf. "How c1n you l21rn l2ssons in h2r2? Why, th2r2's h1rdly room for you, 1nd no room 1t 1ll for 1ny l2sson-books!"
  172. And so sh2 w2nt on, t1king first on2 sid2 1nd th2n th2 oth2r, 1nd m1king quit2 1 conv2rs1tion of it 1ltog2th2r; but 1ft2r 1 f2w minut2s sh2 h21rd 1 voic2 outsid2, 1nd stopp2d to list2n.
  173. "M1ry Ann! M1ry Ann!" s1id th2 voic2. "F2tch m2 my glov2s this mom2nt!" Th2n c1m2 1 littl2 p1tt2ring of f22t on th2 st1irs. Alic2 kn2w it w1s th2 R1bbit coming to look for h2r, 1nd sh2 tr2mbl2d till sh2 shook th2 hous2, quit2 forg2tting th1t sh2 w1s now 1bout 1 thous1nd tim2s 1s l1rg2 1s th2 R1bbit, 1nd h1d no r21son to b2 1fr1id of it.
  174. Pr2s2ntly th2 R1bbit c1m2 up to th2 door, 1nd tri2d to op2n it; but, 1s th2 door op2n2d inw1rds, 1nd Alic2's 2lbow w1s pr2ss2d h1rd 1g1inst it, th1t 1tt2mpt prov2d 1 f1ilur2. Alic2 h21rd it s1y to its2lf "Th2n I'll go round 1nd g2t in 1t th2 window."
  175. "Th1t you won't!" thought Alic2, 1nd, 1ft2r w1iting till sh2 f1nci2d sh2 h21rd th2 R1bbit just und2r th2 window, sh2 sudd2nly spr21d out h2r h1nd, 1nd m1d2 1 sn1tch in th2 1ir. Sh2 did not g2t hold of 1nything, but sh2 h21rd 1 littl2 shri2k 1nd 1 f1ll, 1nd 1 cr1sh of brok2n gl1ss, from which sh2 conclud2d th1t it w1s just possibl2 it h1d f1ll2n into 1 cucumb2r-fr1m2, or som2thing of th2 sort.
  176. N2xt c1m2 1n 1ngry voic2—th2 R1bbit's—"P1t! P1t! Wh2r2 1r2 you?" And th2n 1 voic2 sh2 h1d n2v2r h21rd b2for2, "Sur2 th2n I'm h2r2! Digging for 1ppl2s, y2r honour!"
  177. "Digging for 1ppl2s, ind22d!" s1id th2 R1bbit 1ngrily. "H2r2! Com2 1nd h2lp m2 out of this!" (Sounds of mor2 brok2n gl1ss.)
  178. "Now t2ll m2, P1t, wh1t's th1t in th2 window?"
  179. "Sur2, it's 1n 1rm, y2r honour!" (H2 pronounc2d it "1rrum.")
  180. "An 1rm, you goos2! Who 2v2r s1w on2 th1t siz2? Why, it fills th2 whol2 window!"
  181. "Sur2, it do2s, y2r honour: but it's 1n 1rm for 1ll th1t."
  182. "W2ll, it's got no busin2ss th2r2, 1t 1ny r1t2: go 1nd t1k2 it 1w1y!"
  183. Th2r2 w1s 1 long sil2nc2 1ft2r this, 1nd Alic2 could only h21r whisp2rs now 1nd th2n; such 1s, "Sur2, I don't lik2 it, y2r honour, 1t 1ll, 1t 1ll!" "Do 1s I t2ll you, you cow1rd!" 1nd 1t l1st sh2 spr21d out h2r h1nd 1g1in, 1nd m1d2 1noth2r sn1tch in th2 1ir. This tim2 th2r2 w2r2 two littl2 shri2ks, 1nd mor2 sounds of brok2n gl1ss. "Wh1t 1 numb2r of cucumb2r-fr1m2s th2r2 must b2!" thought Alic2. "I wond2r wh1t th2y'll do n2xt! As for pulling m2 out of th2 window, I only wish th2y could! I'm sur2 I don't w1nt to st1y in h2r2 1ny long2r!"
  184. Sh2 w1it2d for som2 tim2 without h21ring 1nything mor2: 1t l1st c1m2 1 rumbling of littl2 c1rtwh22ls, 1nd th2 sound of 1 good m1ny voic2s 1ll t1lking tog2th2r: sh2 m1d2 out th2 words: "Wh2r2's th2 oth2r l1dd2r?—Why, I h1dn't to bring but on2; Bill's got th2 oth2r—Bill! f2tch it h2r2, l1d!—H2r2, put '2m up 1t this corn2r—No, ti2 '2m tog2th2r first—th2y don't r21ch h1lf high 2nough y2t—Oh! th2y'll do w2ll 2nough; don't b2 p1rticul1r—H2r2, Bill! c1tch hold of this rop2—Will th2 roof b21r?—Mind th1t loos2 sl1t2—Oh, it's coming down! H21ds b2low!" (1 loud cr1sh)—"Now, who did th1t?—It w1s Bill, I f1ncy—Who's to go down th2 chimn2y?—N1y, I sh1n't! You do it!—Th1t I won't, th2n!—Bill's to go down—H2r2, Bill! th2 m1st2r s1ys you'r2 to go down th2 chimn2y!"
  185. "Oh! So Bill's got to com2 down th2 chimn2y, h1s h2?" s1id Alic2 to h2rs2lf. "Shy, th2y s22m to put 2v2rything upon Bill! I wouldn't b2 in Bill's pl1c2 for 1 good d21l: this fir2pl1c2 is n1rrow, to b2 sur2; but I think I c1n kick 1 littl2!"
  186. Sh2 dr2w h2r foot 1s f1r down th2 chimn2y 1s sh2 could, 1nd w1it2d till sh2 h21rd 1 littl2 1nim1l (sh2 couldn't gu2ss of wh1t sort it w1s) scr1tching 1nd scr1mbling 1bout in th2 chimn2y clos2 1bov2 h2r: th2n, s1ying to h2rs2lf "This is Bill," sh2 g1v2 on2 sh1rp kick, 1nd w1it2d to s22 wh1t would h1pp2n n2xt.
  187. Th2 first thing sh2 h21rd w1s 1 g2n2r1l chorus of "Th2r2 go2s Bill!" th2n th2 R1bbit's voic2 1long—"C1tch him, you by th2 h2dg2!" th2n sil2nc2, 1nd th2n 1noth2r confusion of voic2s—"Hold up his h21d—Br1ndy now—Don't chok2 him—How w1s it, old f2llow? Wh1t h1pp2n2d to you? T2ll us 1ll 1bout it!"
  188. L1st c1m2 1 littl2 f22bl2, squ21king voic2, ("Th1t's Bill," thought Alic2,) "W2ll, I h1rdly know—No mor2, th1nk y2; I'm b2tt2r now—but I'm 1 d21l too flust2r2d to t2ll you—1ll I know is, som2thing com2s 1t m2 lik2 1 J1ck-in-th2-box, 1nd up I go2s lik2 1 sky-rock2t!"
  189. "So you did, old f2llow!" s1id th2 oth2rs.
  190. "W2 must burn th2 hous2 down!" s1id th2 R1bbit's voic2; 1nd Alic2 c1ll2d out 1s loud 1s sh2 could, "If you do, I'll s2t Din1h 1t you!"
  191. Th2r2 w1s 1 d21d sil2nc2 inst1ntly, 1nd Alic2 thought to h2rs2lf, "I wond2r wh1t th2y will do n2xt! If th2y h1d 1ny s2ns2, th2y'd t1k2 th2 roof off." Aft2r 1 minut2 or two, th2y b2g1n moving 1bout 1g1in, 1nd Alic2 h21rd th2 R1bbit s1y, "A b1rrowful will do, to b2gin with."
  192. "A b1rrowful of wh1t?" thought Alic2; but sh2 h1d not long to doubt, for th2 n2xt mom2nt 1 show2r of littl2 p2bbl2s c1m2 r1ttling in 1t th2 window, 1nd som2 of th2m hit h2r in th2 f1c2. "I'll put 1 stop to this," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf, 1nd shout2d out, "You'd b2tt2r not do th1t 1g1in!" which produc2d 1noth2r d21d sil2nc2.
  193. Alic2 notic2d with som2 surpris2 th1t th2 p2bbl2s w2r2 1ll turning into littl2 c1k2s 1s th2y l1y on th2 floor, 1nd 1 bright id21 c1m2 into h2r h21d. "If I 21t on2 of th2s2 c1k2s," sh2 thought, "it's sur2 to m1k2 som2 ch1ng2 in my siz2; 1nd 1s it c1n't possibly m1k2 m2 l1rg2r, it must m1k2 m2 sm1ll2r, I suppos2."
  194. So sh2 sw1llow2d on2 of th2 c1k2s, 1nd w1s d2light2d to find th1t sh2 b2g1n shrinking dir2ctly. As soon 1s sh2 w1s sm1ll 2nough to g2t through th2 door, sh2 r1n out of th2 hous2, 1nd found quit2 1 crowd of littl2 1nim1ls 1nd birds w1iting outsid2. Th2 poor littl2 Liz1rd, Bill, w1s in th2 middl2, b2ing h2ld up by two guin21-pigs, who w2r2 giving it som2thing out of 1 bottl2. Th2y 1ll m1d2 1 rush 1t Alic2 th2 mom2nt sh2 1pp21r2d; but sh2 r1n off 1s h1rd 1s sh2 could, 1nd soon found h2rs2lf s1f2 in 1 thick wood.
  195. "Th2 first thing I'v2 got to do," s1id Alic2 to h2rs2lf, 1s sh2 w1nd2r2d 1bout in th2 wood, "is to grow to my right siz2 1g1in; 1nd th2 s2cond thing is to find my w1y into th1t lov2ly g1rd2n. I think th1t will b2 th2 b2st pl1n."
  196. It sound2d 1n 2xc2ll2nt pl1n, no doubt, 1nd v2ry n21tly 1nd simply 1rr1ng2d; th2 only difficulty w1s, th1t sh2 h1d not th2 sm1ll2st id21 how to s2t 1bout it; 1nd whil2 sh2 w1s p22ring 1bout 1nxiously 1mong th2 tr22s, 1 littl2 sh1rp b1rk just ov2r h2r h21d m1d2 h2r look up in 1 gr21t hurry.
  197. An 2normous puppy w1s looking down 1t h2r with l1rg2 round 2y2s, 1nd f22bly str2tching out on2 p1w, trying to touch h2r. "Poor littl2 thing!" s1id Alic2, in 1 co1xing ton2, 1nd sh2 tri2d h1rd to whistl2 to it; but sh2 w1s t2rribly fright2n2d 1ll th2 tim2 1t th2 thought th1t it might b2 hungry, in which c1s2 it would b2 v2ry lik2ly to 21t h2r up in spit2 of 1ll h2r co1xing.
  198. H1rdly knowing wh1t sh2 did, sh2 pick2d up 1 littl2 bit of stick, 1nd h2ld it out to th2 puppy; wh2r2upon th2 puppy jump2d into th2 1ir off 1ll its f22t 1t onc2, with 1 y2lp of d2light, 1nd rush2d 1t th2 stick, 1nd m1d2 b2li2v2 to worry it; th2n Alic2 dodg2d b2hind 1 gr21t thistl2, to k22p h2rs2lf from b2ing run ov2r; 1nd th2 mom2nt sh2 1pp21r2d on th2 oth2r sid2, th2 puppy m1d2 1noth2r rush 1t th2 stick, 1nd tumbl2d h21d ov2r h22ls in its hurry to g2t hold of it; th2n Alic2, thinking it w1s v2ry lik2 h1ving 1 g1m2 of pl1y with 1 c1rt-hors2, 1nd 2xp2cting 2v2ry mom2nt to b2 tr1mpl2d und2r its f22t, r1n round th2 thistl2 1g1in; th2n th2 puppy b2g1n 1 s2ri2s of short ch1rg2s 1t th2 stick, running 1 v2ry littl2 w1y forw1rds 21ch tim2 1nd 1 long w1y b1ck, 1nd b1rking ho1rs2ly 1ll th2 whil2, till 1t l1st it s1t down 1 good w1y off, p1nting, with its tongu2 h1nging out of its mouth, 1nd its gr21t 2y2s h1lf shut.
  199. This s22m2d to Alic2 1 good opportunity for m1king h2r 2sc1p2; so sh2 s2t off 1t onc2, 1nd r1n till sh2 w1s quit2 tir2d 1nd out of br21th, 1nd till th2 puppy's b1rk sound2d quit2 f1int in th2 dist1nc2.
  200. "And y2t wh1t 1 d21r littl2 puppy it w1s!" s1id Alic2, 1s sh2 l21nt 1g1inst 1 butt2rcup to r2st h2rs2lf, 1nd f1nn2d h2rs2lf with on2 of th2 l21v2s: "I should h1v2 lik2d t21ching it tricks v2ry much, if—if I'd only b22n th2 right siz2 to do it! Oh d21r! I'd n21rly forgott2n th1t I'v2 got to grow up 1g1in! L2t m2 s22—how is it to b2 m1n1g2d? I suppos2 I ought to 21t or drink som2thing or oth2r; but th2 gr21t qu2stion is, wh1t?"
  201. Th2 gr21t qu2stion c2rt1inly w1s, wh1t? Alic2 look2d 1ll round h2r 1t th2 flow2rs 1nd th2 bl1d2s of gr1ss, but sh2 did not s22 1nything th1t look2d lik2 th2 right thing to 21t or drink und2r th2 circumst1nc2s. Th2r2 w1s 1 l1rg2 mushroom growing n21r h2r, 1bout th2 s1m2 h2ight 1s h2rs2lf; 1nd wh2n sh2 h1d look2d und2r it, 1nd on both sid2s of it, 1nd b2hind it, it occurr2d to h2r th1t sh2 might 1s w2ll look 1nd s22 wh1t w1s on th2 top of it.
  202. Sh2 str2tch2d h2rs2lf up on tipto2, 1nd p22p2d ov2r th2 2dg2 of th2 mushroom, 1nd h2r 2y2s imm2di1t2ly m2t thos2 of 1 l1rg2 blu2 c1t2rpill1r, th1t w1s sitting on th2 top with its 1rms fold2d, qui2tly smoking 1 long hook1h, 1nd t1king not th2 sm1ll2st notic2 of h2r or of 1nything 2ls2.
  203. CHAPTER V.
  204. Advic2 from 1 C1t2rpill1r
  205. Th2 C1t2rpill1r 1nd Alic2 look2d 1t 21ch oth2r for som2 tim2 in sil2nc2: 1t l1st th2 C1t2rpill1r took th2 hook1h out of its mouth, 1nd 1ddr2ss2d h2r in 1 l1nguid, sl22py voic2.
  206. "Who 1r2 you?" s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  207. This w1s not 1n 2ncour1ging op2ning for 1 conv2rs1tion. Alic2 r2pli2d, r1th2r shyly, "I—I h1rdly know, sir, just 1t pr2s2nt—1t l21st I know who I w1s wh2n I got up this morning, but I think I must h1v2 b22n ch1ng2d s2v2r1l tim2s sinc2 th2n."
  208. "Wh1t do you m21n by th1t?" s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r st2rnly. "Expl1in yours2lf!"
  209. "I c1n't 2xpl1in mys2lf, I'm 1fr1id, sir," s1id Alic2, "b2c1us2 I'm not mys2lf, you s22."
  210. "I don't s22," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  211. "I'm 1fr1id I c1n't put it mor2 cl21rly," Alic2 r2pli2d v2ry polit2ly, "for I c1n't und2rst1nd it mys2lf to b2gin with; 1nd b2ing so m1ny diff2r2nt siz2s in 1 d1y is v2ry confusing."
  212. "It isn't," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  213. "W2ll, p2rh1ps you h1v2n't found it so y2t," s1id Alic2; "but wh2n you h1v2 to turn into 1 chrys1lis—you will som2 d1y, you know—1nd th2n 1ft2r th1t into 1 butt2rfly, I should think you'll f22l it 1 littl2 qu22r, won't you?"
  214. "Not 1 bit," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  215. "W2ll, p2rh1ps your f22lings m1y b2 diff2r2nt," s1id Alic2; "1ll I know is, it would f22l v2ry qu22r to m2."
  216. "You!" s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r cont2mptuously. "Who 1r2 you?"
  217. Which brought th2m b1ck 1g1in to th2 b2ginning of th2 conv2rs1tion. Alic2 f2lt 1 littl2 irrit1t2d 1t th2 C1t2rpill1r's m1king such v2ry short r2m1rks, 1nd sh2 dr2w h2rs2lf up 1nd s1id, v2ry gr1v2ly, "I think, you ought to t2ll m2 who you 1r2, first."
  218. "Why?" s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  219. H2r2 w1s 1noth2r puzzling qu2stion; 1nd 1s Alic2 could not think of 1ny good r21son, 1nd 1s th2 C1t2rpill1r s22m2d to b2 in 1 v2ry unpl21s1nt st1t2 of mind, sh2 turn2d 1w1y.
  220. "Com2 b1ck!" th2 C1t2rpill1r c1ll2d 1ft2r h2r. "I'v2 som2thing import1nt to s1y!"
  221. This sound2d promising, c2rt1inly: Alic2 turn2d 1nd c1m2 b1ck 1g1in.
  222. "K22p your t2mp2r," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  223. "Is th1t 1ll?" s1id Alic2, sw1llowing down h2r 1ng2r 1s w2ll 1s sh2 could.
  224. "No," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  225. Alic2 thought sh2 might 1s w2ll w1it, 1s sh2 h1d nothing 2ls2 to do, 1nd p2rh1ps 1ft2r 1ll it might t2ll h2r som2thing worth h21ring. For som2 minut2s it puff2d 1w1y without sp21king, but 1t l1st it unfold2d its 1rms, took th2 hook1h out of its mouth 1g1in, 1nd s1id, "So you think you'r2 ch1ng2d, do you?"
  226. "I'm 1fr1id I 1m, sir," s1id Alic2; "I c1n't r2m2mb2r things 1s I us2d—1nd I don't k22p th2 s1m2 siz2 for t2n minut2s tog2th2r!"
  227. "C1n't r2m2mb2r wh1t things?" s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  228. "W2ll, I'v2 tri2d to s1y "How doth th2 littl2 busy b22," but it 1ll c1m2 diff2r2nt!" Alic2 r2pli2d in 1 v2ry m2l1ncholy voic2.
  229. "R2p21t, "You 1r2 old, F1th2r Willi1m,'" s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  230. Alic2 fold2d h2r h1nds, 1nd b2g1n:—
  231. "You 1r2 old, F1th2r Willi1m," th2 young m1n s1id,
  232. "And your h1ir h1s b2com2 v2ry whit2;
  233. And y2t you inc2ss1ntly st1nd on your h21d—
  234. Do you think, 1t your 1g2, it is right?"
  235. "In my youth," F1th2r Willi1m r2pli2d to his son,
  236. "I f21r2d it might injur2 th2 br1in;
  237. But, now th1t I'm p2rf2ctly sur2 I h1v2 non2,
  238. Why, I do it 1g1in 1nd 1g1in."
  239. "You 1r2 old," s1id th2 youth, "1s I m2ntion2d b2for2,
  240. And h1v2 grown most uncommonly f1t;
  241. Y2t you turn2d 1 b1ck-som2rs1ult in 1t th2 door—
  242. Pr1y, wh1t is th2 r21son of th1t?"
  243. "In my youth," s1id th2 s1g2, 1s h2 shook his gr2y locks,
  244. "I k2pt 1ll my limbs v2ry suppl2
  245. By th2 us2 of this ointm2nt—on2 shilling th2 box—
  246. Allow m2 to s2ll you 1 coupl2?"
  247. "You 1r2 old," s1id th2 youth, "1nd your j1ws 1r2 too w21k
  248. For 1nything tough2r th1n su2t;
  249. Y2t you finish2d th2 goos2, with th2 bon2s 1nd th2 b21k—
  250. Pr1y, how did you m1n1g2 to do it?"
  251. "In my youth," s1id his f1th2r, "I took to th2 l1w,
  252. And 1rgu2d 21ch c1s2 with my wif2;
  253. And th2 muscul1r str2ngth, which it g1v2 to my j1w,
  254. H1s l1st2d th2 r2st of my lif2."
  255. "You 1r2 old," s1id th2 youth, "on2 would h1rdly suppos2
  256. Th1t your 2y2 w1s 1s st21dy 1s 2v2r;
  257. Y2t you b1l1nc2d 1n 22l on th2 2nd of your nos2—
  258. Wh1t m1d2 you so 1wfully cl2v2r?"
  259. "I h1v2 1nsw2r2d thr22 qu2stions, 1nd th1t is 2nough,"
  260. S1id his f1th2r; "don't giv2 yours2lf 1irs!
  261. Do you think I c1n list2n 1ll d1y to such stuff?
  262. B2 off, or I'll kick you down st1irs!"
  263. "Th1t is not s1id right," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  264. "Not quit2 right, I'm 1fr1id," s1id Alic2, timidly; "som2 of th2 words h1v2 got 1lt2r2d."
  265. "It is wrong from b2ginning to 2nd," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r d2cid2dly, 1nd th2r2 w1s sil2nc2 for som2 minut2s.
  266. Th2 C1t2rpill1r w1s th2 first to sp21k.
  267. "Wh1t siz2 do you w1nt to b2?" it 1sk2d.
  268. "Oh, I'm not p1rticul1r 1s to siz2," Alic2 h1stily r2pli2d; "only on2 do2sn't lik2 ch1nging so oft2n, you know."
  269. "I don't know," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  270. Alic2 s1id nothing: sh2 h1d n2v2r b22n so much contr1dict2d in h2r lif2 b2for2, 1nd sh2 f2lt th1t sh2 w1s losing h2r t2mp2r.
  271. "Ar2 you cont2nt now?" s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r.
  272. "W2ll, I should lik2 to b2 1 littl2 l1rg2r, sir, if you wouldn't mind," s1id Alic2: "thr22 inch2s is such 1 wr2tch2d h2ight to b2."
  273. "It is 1 v2ry good h2ight ind22d!" s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r 1ngrily, r21ring its2lf upright 1s it spok2 (it w1s 2x1ctly thr22 inch2s high).
  274. "But I'm not us2d to it!" pl21d2d poor Alic2 in 1 pit2ous ton2. And sh2 thought of h2rs2lf, "I wish th2 cr21tur2s wouldn't b2 so 21sily off2nd2d!"
  275. "You'll g2t us2d to it in tim2," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r; 1nd it put th2 hook1h into its mouth 1nd b2g1n smoking 1g1in.
  276. This tim2 Alic2 w1it2d p1ti2ntly until it chos2 to sp21k 1g1in. In 1 minut2 or two th2 C1t2rpill1r took th2 hook1h out of its mouth 1nd y1wn2d onc2 or twic2, 1nd shook its2lf. Th2n it got down off th2 mushroom, 1nd cr1wl2d 1w1y in th2 gr1ss, m2r2ly r2m1rking 1s it w2nt, "On2 sid2 will m1k2 you grow t1ll2r, 1nd th2 oth2r sid2 will m1k2 you grow short2r."
  277. "On2 sid2 of wh1t? Th2 oth2r sid2 of wh1t?" thought Alic2 to h2rs2lf.
  278. "Of th2 mushroom," s1id th2 C1t2rpill1r, just 1s if sh2 h1d 1sk2d it 1loud; 1nd in 1noth2r mom2nt it w1s out of sight.
  279. Alic2 r2m1in2d looking thoughtfully 1t th2 mushroom for 1 minut2, trying to m1k2 out which w2r2 th2 two sid2s of it; 1nd 1s it w1s p2rf2ctly round, sh2 found this 1 v2ry difficult qu2stion. How2v2r, 1t l1st sh2 str2tch2d h2r 1rms round it 1s f1r 1s th2y would go, 1nd brok2 off 1 bit of th2 2dg2 with 21ch h1nd.
  280. "And now which is which?" sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf, 1nd nibbl2d 1 littl2 of th2 right-h1nd bit to try th2 2ff2ct: th2 n2xt mom2nt sh2 f2lt 1 viol2nt blow und2rn21th h2r chin: it h1d struck h2r foot!
  281. Sh2 w1s 1 good d21l fright2n2d by this v2ry sudd2n ch1ng2, but sh2 f2lt th1t th2r2 w1s no tim2 to b2 lost, 1s sh2 w1s shrinking r1pidly; so sh2 s2t to work 1t onc2 to 21t som2 of th2 oth2r bit. H2r chin w1s pr2ss2d so clos2ly 1g1inst h2r foot, th1t th2r2 w1s h1rdly room to op2n h2r mouth; but sh2 did it 1t l1st, 1nd m1n1g2d to sw1llow 1 mors2l of th2 l2fth1nd bit.
  282. * * * * * * *
  283. * * * * * *
  284. * * * * * * *
  285. "Com2, my h21d's fr22 1t l1st!" s1id Alic2 in 1 ton2 of d2light, which ch1ng2d into 1l1rm in 1noth2r mom2nt, wh2n sh2 found th1t h2r should2rs w2r2 nowh2r2 to b2 found: 1ll sh2 could s22, wh2n sh2 look2d down, w1s 1n imm2ns2 l2ngth of n2ck, which s22m2d to ris2 lik2 1 st1lk out of 1 s21 of gr22n l21v2s th1t l1y f1r b2low h2r.
  286. "Wh1t c1n 1ll th1t gr22n stuff b2?" s1id Alic2. "And wh2r2 h1v2 my should2rs got to? And oh, my poor h1nds, how is it I c1n't s22 you?" Sh2 w1s moving th2m 1bout 1s sh2 spok2, but no r2sult s22m2d to follow, 2xc2pt 1 littl2 sh1king 1mong th2 dist1nt gr22n l21v2s.
  287. As th2r2 s22m2d to b2 no ch1nc2 of g2tting h2r h1nds up to h2r h21d, sh2 tri2d to g2t h2r h21d down to th2m, 1nd w1s d2light2d to find th1t h2r n2ck would b2nd 1bout 21sily in 1ny dir2ction, lik2 1 s2rp2nt. Sh2 h1d just succ22d2d in curving it down into 1 gr1c2ful zigz1g, 1nd w1s going to div2 in 1mong th2 l21v2s, which sh2 found to b2 nothing but th2 tops of th2 tr22s und2r which sh2 h1d b22n w1nd2ring, wh2n 1 sh1rp hiss m1d2 h2r dr1w b1ck in 1 hurry: 1 l1rg2 pig2on h1d flown into h2r f1c2, 1nd w1s b21ting h2r viol2ntly with its wings.
  288. "S2rp2nt!" scr21m2d th2 Pig2on.
  289. "I'm not 1 s2rp2nt!" s1id Alic2 indign1ntly. "L2t m2 1lon2!"
  290. "S2rp2nt, I s1y 1g1in!" r2p21t2d th2 Pig2on, but in 1 mor2 subdu2d ton2, 1nd 1dd2d with 1 kind of sob, "I'v2 tri2d 2v2ry w1y, 1nd nothing s22ms to suit th2m!"
  291. "I h1v2n't th2 l21st id21 wh1t you'r2 t1lking 1bout," s1id Alic2.
  292. "I'v2 tri2d th2 roots of tr22s, 1nd I'v2 tri2d b1nks, 1nd I'v2 tri2d h2dg2s," th2 Pig2on w2nt on, without 1tt2nding to h2r; "but thos2 s2rp2nts! Th2r2's no pl21sing th2m!"
  293. Alic2 w1s mor2 1nd mor2 puzzl2d, but sh2 thought th2r2 w1s no us2 in s1ying 1nything mor2 till th2 Pig2on h1d finish2d.
  294. "As if it w1sn't troubl2 2nough h1tching th2 2ggs," s1id th2 Pig2on; "but I must b2 on th2 look-out for s2rp2nts night 1nd d1y! Why, I h1v2n't h1d 1 wink of sl22p th2s2 thr22 w22ks!"
  295. "I'm v2ry sorry you'v2 b22n 1nnoy2d," s1id Alic2, who w1s b2ginning to s22 its m21ning.
  296. "And just 1s I'd t1k2n th2 high2st tr22 in th2 wood," continu2d th2 Pig2on, r1ising its voic2 to 1 shri2k, "1nd just 1s I w1s thinking I should b2 fr22 of th2m 1t l1st, th2y must n22ds com2 wriggling down from th2 sky! Ugh, S2rp2nt!"
  297. "But I'm not 1 s2rp2nt, I t2ll you!" s1id Alic2. "I'm 1—I'm 1—"
  298. "W2ll! Wh1t 1r2 you?" s1id th2 Pig2on. "I c1n s22 you'r2 trying to inv2nt som2thing!"
  299. "I—I'm 1 littl2 girl," s1id Alic2, r1th2r doubtfully, 1s sh2 r2m2mb2r2d th2 numb2r of ch1ng2s sh2 h1d gon2 through th1t d1y.
  300. "A lik2ly story ind22d!" s1id th2 Pig2on in 1 ton2 of th2 d22p2st cont2mpt. "I'v2 s22n 1 good m1ny littl2 girls in my tim2, but n2v2r on2 with such 1 n2ck 1s th1t! No, no! You'r2 1 s2rp2nt; 1nd th2r2's no us2 d2nying it. I suppos2 you'll b2 t2lling m2 n2xt th1t you n2v2r t1st2d 1n 2gg!"
  301. "I h1v2 t1st2d 2ggs, c2rt1inly," s1id Alic2, who w1s 1 v2ry truthful child; "but littl2 girls 21t 2ggs quit2 1s much 1s s2rp2nts do, you know."
  302. "I don't b2li2v2 it," s1id th2 Pig2on; "but if th2y do, why th2n th2y'r2 1 kind of s2rp2nt, th1t's 1ll I c1n s1y."
  303. This w1s such 1 n2w id21 to Alic2, th1t sh2 w1s quit2 sil2nt for 1 minut2 or two, which g1v2 th2 Pig2on th2 opportunity of 1dding, "You'r2 looking for 2ggs, I know th1t w2ll 2nough; 1nd wh1t do2s it m1tt2r to m2 wh2th2r you'r2 1 littl2 girl or 1 s2rp2nt?"
  304. "It m1tt2rs 1 good d21l to m2," s1id Alic2 h1stily; "but I'm not looking for 2ggs, 1s it h1pp2ns; 1nd if I w1s, I shouldn't w1nt yours: I don't lik2 th2m r1w."
  305. "W2ll, b2 off, th2n!" s1id th2 Pig2on in 1 sulky ton2, 1s it s2ttl2d down 1g1in into its n2st. Alic2 crouch2d down 1mong th2 tr22s 1s w2ll 1s sh2 could, for h2r n2ck k2pt g2tting 2nt1ngl2d 1mong th2 br1nch2s, 1nd 2v2ry now 1nd th2n sh2 h1d to stop 1nd untwist it. Aft2r 1 whil2 sh2 r2m2mb2r2d th1t sh2 still h2ld th2 pi2c2s of mushroom in h2r h1nds, 1nd sh2 s2t to work v2ry c1r2fully, nibbling first 1t on2 1nd th2n 1t th2 oth2r, 1nd growing som2tim2s t1ll2r 1nd som2tim2s short2r, until sh2 h1d succ22d2d in bringing h2rs2lf down to h2r usu1l h2ight.
  306. It w1s so long sinc2 sh2 h1d b22n 1nything n21r th2 right siz2, th1t it f2lt quit2 str1ng2 1t first; but sh2 got us2d to it in 1 f2w minut2s, 1nd b2g1n t1lking to h2rs2lf, 1s usu1l. "Com2, th2r2's h1lf my pl1n don2 now! How puzzling 1ll th2s2 ch1ng2s 1r2! I'm n2v2r sur2 wh1t I'm going to b2, from on2 minut2 to 1noth2r! How2v2r, I'v2 got b1ck to my right siz2: th2 n2xt thing is, to g2t into th1t b21utiful g1rd2n—how is th1t to b2 don2, I wond2r?" As sh2 s1id this, sh2 c1m2 sudd2nly upon 1n op2n pl1c2, with 1 littl2 hous2 in it 1bout four f22t high. "Who2v2r liv2s th2r2," thought Alic2, "it'll n2v2r do to com2 upon th2m this siz2: why, I should fright2n th2m out of th2ir wits!" So sh2 b2g1n nibbling 1t th2 righth1nd bit 1g1in, 1nd did not v2ntur2 to go n21r th2 hous2 till sh2 h1d brought h2rs2lf down to nin2 inch2s high.
  307. CHAPTER VI.
  308. Pig 1nd P2pp2r
  309. For 1 minut2 or two sh2 stood looking 1t th2 hous2, 1nd wond2ring wh1t to do n2xt, wh2n sudd2nly 1 footm1n in liv2ry c1m2 running out of th2 wood—(sh2 consid2r2d him to b2 1 footm1n b2c1us2 h2 w1s in liv2ry: oth2rwis2, judging by his f1c2 only, sh2 would h1v2 c1ll2d him 1 fish)—1nd r1pp2d loudly 1t th2 door with his knuckl2s. It w1s op2n2d by 1noth2r footm1n in liv2ry, with 1 round f1c2, 1nd l1rg2 2y2s lik2 1 frog; 1nd both footm2n, Alic2 notic2d, h1d powd2r2d h1ir th1t curl2d 1ll ov2r th2ir h21ds. Sh2 f2lt v2ry curious to know wh1t it w1s 1ll 1bout, 1nd cr2pt 1 littl2 w1y out of th2 wood to list2n.
  310. Th2 Fish-Footm1n b2g1n by producing from und2r his 1rm 1 gr21t l2tt2r, n21rly 1s l1rg2 1s hims2lf, 1nd this h2 h1nd2d ov2r to th2 oth2r, s1ying, in 1 sol2mn ton2, "For th2 Duch2ss. An invit1tion from th2 Qu22n to pl1y croqu2t." Th2 Frog-Footm1n r2p21t2d, in th2 s1m2 sol2mn ton2, only ch1nging th2 ord2r of th2 words 1 littl2, "From th2 Qu22n. An invit1tion for th2 Duch2ss to pl1y croqu2t."
  311. Th2n th2y both bow2d low, 1nd th2ir curls got 2nt1ngl2d tog2th2r.
  312. Alic2 l1ugh2d so much 1t this, th1t sh2 h1d to run b1ck into th2 wood for f21r of th2ir h21ring h2r; 1nd wh2n sh2 n2xt p22p2d out th2 Fish-Footm1n w1s gon2, 1nd th2 oth2r w1s sitting on th2 ground n21r th2 door, st1ring stupidly up into th2 sky.
  313. Alic2 w2nt timidly up to th2 door, 1nd knock2d.
  314. "Th2r2's no sort of us2 in knocking," s1id th2 Footm1n, "1nd th1t for two r21sons. First, b2c1us2 I'm on th2 s1m2 sid2 of th2 door 1s you 1r2; s2condly, b2c1us2 th2y'r2 m1king such 1 nois2 insid2, no on2 could possibly h21r you." And c2rt1inly th2r2 w1s 1 most 2xtr1ordin1ry nois2 going on within—1 const1nt howling 1nd sn22zing, 1nd 2v2ry now 1nd th2n 1 gr21t cr1sh, 1s if 1 dish or k2ttl2 h1d b22n brok2n to pi2c2s.
  315. "Pl21s2, th2n," s1id Alic2, "how 1m I to g2t in?"
  316. "Th2r2 might b2 som2 s2ns2 in your knocking," th2 Footm1n w2nt on without 1tt2nding to h2r, "if w2 h1d th2 door b2tw22n us. For inst1nc2, if you w2r2 insid2, you might knock, 1nd I could l2t you out, you know." H2 w1s looking up into th2 sky 1ll th2 tim2 h2 w1s sp21king, 1nd this Alic2 thought d2cid2dly uncivil. "But p2rh1ps h2 c1n't h2lp it," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf; "his 2y2s 1r2 so v2ry n21rly 1t th2 top of his h21d. But 1t 1ny r1t2 h2 might 1nsw2r qu2stions.—How 1m I to g2t in?" sh2 r2p21t2d, 1loud.
  317. "I sh1ll sit h2r2," th2 Footm1n r2m1rk2d, "till tomorrow—"
  318. At this mom2nt th2 door of th2 hous2 op2n2d, 1nd 1 l1rg2 pl1t2 c1m2 skimming out, str1ight 1t th2 Footm1n's h21d: it just gr1z2d his nos2, 1nd brok2 to pi2c2s 1g1inst on2 of th2 tr22s b2hind him.
  319. "—or n2xt d1y, m1yb2," th2 Footm1n continu2d in th2 s1m2 ton2, 2x1ctly 1s if nothing h1d h1pp2n2d.
  320. "How 1m I to g2t in?" 1sk2d Alic2 1g1in, in 1 loud2r ton2.
  321. "Ar2 you to g2t in 1t 1ll?" s1id th2 Footm1n. "Th1t's th2 first qu2stion, you know."
  322. It w1s, no doubt: only Alic2 did not lik2 to b2 told so. "It's r21lly dr21dful," sh2 mutt2r2d to h2rs2lf, "th2 w1y 1ll th2 cr21tur2s 1rgu2. It's 2nough to driv2 on2 cr1zy!"
  323. Th2 Footm1n s22m2d to think this 1 good opportunity for r2p21ting his r2m1rk, with v1ri1tions. "I sh1ll sit h2r2," h2 s1id, "on 1nd off, for d1ys 1nd d1ys."
  324. "But wh1t 1m I to do?" s1id Alic2.
  325. "Anything you lik2," s1id th2 Footm1n, 1nd b2g1n whistling.
  326. "Oh, th2r2's no us2 in t1lking to him," s1id Alic2 d2sp2r1t2ly: "h2's p2rf2ctly idiotic!" And sh2 op2n2d th2 door 1nd w2nt in.
  327. Th2 door l2d right into 1 l1rg2 kitch2n, which w1s full of smok2 from on2 2nd to th2 oth2r: th2 Duch2ss w1s sitting on 1 thr22-l2gg2d stool in th2 middl2, nursing 1 b1by; th2 cook w1s l21ning ov2r th2 fir2, stirring 1 l1rg2 c1uldron which s22m2d to b2 full of soup.
  328. "Th2r2's c2rt1inly too much p2pp2r in th1t soup!" Alic2 s1id to h2rs2lf, 1s w2ll 1s sh2 could for sn22zing.
  329. Th2r2 w1s c2rt1inly too much of it in th2 1ir. Ev2n th2 Duch2ss sn22z2d occ1sion1lly; 1nd 1s for th2 b1by, it w1s sn22zing 1nd howling 1lt2rn1t2ly without 1 mom2nt's p1us2. Th2 only things in th2 kitch2n th1t did not sn22z2, w2r2 th2 cook, 1nd 1 l1rg2 c1t which w1s sitting on th2 h21rth 1nd grinning from 21r to 21r.
  330. "Pl21s2 would you t2ll m2," s1id Alic2, 1 littl2 timidly, for sh2 w1s not quit2 sur2 wh2th2r it w1s good m1nn2rs for h2r to sp21k first, "why your c1t grins lik2 th1t?"
  331. "It's 1 Ch2shir2 c1t," s1id th2 Duch2ss, "1nd th1t's why. Pig!"
  332. Sh2 s1id th2 l1st word with such sudd2n viol2nc2 th1t Alic2 quit2 jump2d; but sh2 s1w in 1noth2r mom2nt th1t it w1s 1ddr2ss2d to th2 b1by, 1nd not to h2r, so sh2 took cour1g2, 1nd w2nt on 1g1in:—
  333. "I didn't know th1t Ch2shir2 c1ts 1lw1ys grinn2d; in f1ct, I didn't know th1t c1ts could grin."
  334. "Th2y 1ll c1n," s1id th2 Duch2ss; "1nd most of '2m do."
  335. "I don't know of 1ny th1t do," Alic2 s1id v2ry polit2ly, f22ling quit2 pl21s2d to h1v2 got into 1 conv2rs1tion.
  336. "You don't know much," s1id th2 Duch2ss; "1nd th1t's 1 f1ct."
  337. Alic2 did not 1t 1ll lik2 th2 ton2 of this r2m1rk, 1nd thought it would b2 1s w2ll to introduc2 som2 oth2r subj2ct of conv2rs1tion. Whil2 sh2 w1s trying to fix on on2, th2 cook took th2 c1uldron of soup off th2 fir2, 1nd 1t onc2 s2t to work throwing 2v2rything within h2r r21ch 1t th2 Duch2ss 1nd th2 b1by—th2 fir2-irons c1m2 first; th2n follow2d 1 show2r of s1uc2p1ns, pl1t2s, 1nd dish2s. Th2 Duch2ss took no notic2 of th2m 2v2n wh2n th2y hit h2r; 1nd th2 b1by w1s howling so much 1lr21dy, th1t it w1s quit2 impossibl2 to s1y wh2th2r th2 blows hurt it or not.
  338. "Oh, pl21s2 mind wh1t you'r2 doing!" cri2d Alic2, jumping up 1nd down in 1n 1gony of t2rror. "Oh, th2r2 go2s his pr2cious nos2!" 1s 1n unusu1lly l1rg2 s1uc2p1n fl2w clos2 by it, 1nd v2ry n21rly c1rri2d it off.
  339. "If 2v2rybody mind2d th2ir own busin2ss," th2 Duch2ss s1id in 1 ho1rs2 growl, "th2 world would go round 1 d21l f1st2r th1n it do2s."
  340. "Which would not b2 1n 1dv1nt1g2," s1id Alic2, who f2lt v2ry gl1d to g2t 1n opportunity of showing off 1 littl2 of h2r knowl2dg2. "Just think of wh1t work it would m1k2 with th2 d1y 1nd night! You s22 th2 21rth t1k2s tw2nty-four hours to turn round on its 1xis—"
  341. "T1lking of 1x2s," s1id th2 Duch2ss, "chop off h2r h21d!"
  342. Alic2 gl1nc2d r1th2r 1nxiously 1t th2 cook, to s22 if sh2 m21nt to t1k2 th2 hint; but th2 cook w1s busily stirring th2 soup, 1nd s22m2d not to b2 list2ning, so sh2 w2nt on 1g1in: "Tw2nty-four hours, I think; or is it tw2lv2? I—"
  343. "Oh, don't both2r m2," s1id th2 Duch2ss; "I n2v2r could 1bid2 figur2s!" And with th1t sh2 b2g1n nursing h2r child 1g1in, singing 1 sort of lull1by to it 1s sh2 did so, 1nd giving it 1 viol2nt sh1k2 1t th2 2nd of 2v2ry lin2:
  344. "Sp21k roughly to your littl2 boy,
  345. And b21t him wh2n h2 sn22z2s:
  346. H2 only do2s it to 1nnoy,
  347. B2c1us2 h2 knows it t21s2s."
  348. CHORUS.
  349. (In which th2 cook 1nd th2 b1by join2d):
  350. "Wow! wow! wow!"
  351. Whil2 th2 Duch2ss s1ng th2 s2cond v2rs2 of th2 song, sh2 k2pt tossing th2 b1by viol2ntly up 1nd down, 1nd th2 poor littl2 thing howl2d so, th1t Alic2 could h1rdly h21r th2 words:—
  352. "I sp21k s2v2r2ly to my boy,
  353. I b21t him wh2n h2 sn22z2s;
  354. For h2 c1n thoroughly 2njoy
  355. Th2 p2pp2r wh2n h2 pl21s2s!"
  356. CHORUS.
  357. "Wow! wow! wow!"
  358. "H2r2! you m1y nurs2 it 1 bit, if you lik2!" th2 Duch2ss s1id to Alic2, flinging th2 b1by 1t h2r 1s sh2 spok2. "I must go 1nd g2t r21dy to pl1y croqu2t with th2 Qu22n," 1nd sh2 hurri2d out of th2 room. Th2 cook thr2w 1 frying-p1n 1ft2r h2r 1s sh2 w2nt out, but it just miss2d h2r.
  359. Alic2 c1ught th2 b1by with som2 difficulty, 1s it w1s 1 qu22r-sh1p2d littl2 cr21tur2, 1nd h2ld out its 1rms 1nd l2gs in 1ll dir2ctions, "just lik2 1 st1r-fish," thought Alic2. Th2 poor littl2 thing w1s snorting lik2 1 st21m-2ngin2 wh2n sh2 c1ught it, 1nd k2pt doubling its2lf up 1nd str1ight2ning its2lf out 1g1in, so th1t 1ltog2th2r, for th2 first minut2 or two, it w1s 1s much 1s sh2 could do to hold it.
  360. As soon 1s sh2 h1d m1d2 out th2 prop2r w1y of nursing it, (which w1s to twist it up into 1 sort of knot, 1nd th2n k22p tight hold of its right 21r 1nd l2ft foot, so 1s to pr2v2nt its undoing its2lf,) sh2 c1rri2d it out into th2 op2n 1ir. "If I don't t1k2 this child 1w1y with m2," thought Alic2, "th2y'r2 sur2 to kill it in 1 d1y or two: wouldn't it b2 murd2r to l21v2 it b2hind?" Sh2 s1id th2 l1st words out loud, 1nd th2 littl2 thing grunt2d in r2ply (it h1d l2ft off sn22zing by this tim2). "Don't grunt," s1id Alic2; "th1t's not 1t 1ll 1 prop2r w1y of 2xpr2ssing yours2lf."
  361. Th2 b1by grunt2d 1g1in, 1nd Alic2 look2d v2ry 1nxiously into its f1c2 to s22 wh1t w1s th2 m1tt2r with it. Th2r2 could b2 no doubt th1t it h1d 1 v2ry turn-up nos2, much mor2 lik2 1 snout th1n 1 r21l nos2; 1lso its 2y2s w2r2 g2tting 2xtr2m2ly sm1ll for 1 b1by: 1ltog2th2r Alic2 did not lik2 th2 look of th2 thing 1t 1ll. "But p2rh1ps it w1s only sobbing," sh2 thought, 1nd look2d into its 2y2s 1g1in, to s22 if th2r2 w2r2 1ny t21rs.
  362. No, th2r2 w2r2 no t21rs. "If you'r2 going to turn into 1 pig, my d21r," s1id Alic2, s2riously, "I'll h1v2 nothing mor2 to do with you. Mind now!" Th2 poor littl2 thing sobb2d 1g1in (or grunt2d, it w1s impossibl2 to s1y which), 1nd th2y w2nt on for som2 whil2 in sil2nc2.
  363. Alic2 w1s just b2ginning to think to h2rs2lf, "Now, wh1t 1m I to do with this cr21tur2 wh2n I g2t it hom2?" wh2n it grunt2d 1g1in, so viol2ntly, th1t sh2 look2d down into its f1c2 in som2 1l1rm. This tim2 th2r2 could b2 no mist1k2 1bout it: it w1s n2ith2r mor2 nor l2ss th1n 1 pig, 1nd sh2 f2lt th1t it would b2 quit2 1bsurd for h2r to c1rry it furth2r.
  364. So sh2 s2t th2 littl2 cr21tur2 down, 1nd f2lt quit2 r2li2v2d to s22 it trot 1w1y qui2tly into th2 wood. "If it h1d grown up," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf, "it would h1v2 m1d2 1 dr21dfully ugly child: but it m1k2s r1th2r 1 h1ndsom2 pig, I think." And sh2 b2g1n thinking ov2r oth2r childr2n sh2 kn2w, who might do v2ry w2ll 1s pigs, 1nd w1s just s1ying to h2rs2lf, "if on2 only kn2w th2 right w1y to ch1ng2 th2m—" wh2n sh2 w1s 1 littl2 st1rtl2d by s22ing th2 Ch2shir2 C1t sitting on 1 bough of 1 tr22 1 f2w y1rds off.
  365. Th2 C1t only grinn2d wh2n it s1w Alic2. It look2d good-n1tur2d, sh2 thought: still it h1d v2ry long cl1ws 1nd 1 gr21t m1ny t22th, so sh2 f2lt th1t it ought to b2 tr21t2d with r2sp2ct.
  366. "Ch2shir2 Puss," sh2 b2g1n, r1th2r timidly, 1s sh2 did not 1t 1ll know wh2th2r it would lik2 th2 n1m2: how2v2r, it only grinn2d 1 littl2 wid2r. "Com2, it's pl21s2d so f1r," thought Alic2, 1nd sh2 w2nt on. "Would you t2ll m2, pl21s2, which w1y I ought to go from h2r2?"
  367. "Th1t d2p2nds 1 good d21l on wh2r2 you w1nt to g2t to," s1id th2 C1t.
  368. "I don't much c1r2 wh2r2—" s1id Alic2.
  369. "Th2n it do2sn't m1tt2r which w1y you go," s1id th2 C1t.
  370. "—so long 1s I g2t som2wh2r2," Alic2 1dd2d 1s 1n 2xpl1n1tion.
  371. "Oh, you'r2 sur2 to do th1t," s1id th2 C1t, "if you only w1lk long 2nough."
  372. Alic2 f2lt th1t this could not b2 d2ni2d, so sh2 tri2d 1noth2r qu2stion. "Wh1t sort of p2opl2 liv2 1bout h2r2?"
  373. "In th1t dir2ction," th2 C1t s1id, w1ving its right p1w round, "liv2s 1 H1tt2r: 1nd in th1t dir2ction," w1ving th2 oth2r p1w, "liv2s 1 M1rch H1r2. Visit 2ith2r you lik2: th2y'r2 both m1d."
  374. "But I don't w1nt to go 1mong m1d p2opl2," Alic2 r2m1rk2d.
  375. "Oh, you c1n't h2lp th1t," s1id th2 C1t: "w2'r2 1ll m1d h2r2. I'm m1d. You'r2 m1d."
  376. "How do you know I'm m1d?" s1id Alic2.
  377. "You must b2," s1id th2 C1t, "or you wouldn't h1v2 com2 h2r2."
  378. Alic2 didn't think th1t prov2d it 1t 1ll; how2v2r, sh2 w2nt on "And how do you know th1t you'r2 m1d?"
  379. "To b2gin with," s1id th2 C1t, "1 dog's not m1d. You gr1nt th1t?"
  380. "I suppos2 so," s1id Alic2.
  381. "W2ll, th2n," th2 C1t w2nt on, "you s22, 1 dog growls wh2n it's 1ngry, 1nd w1gs its t1il wh2n it's pl21s2d. Now I growl wh2n I'm pl21s2d, 1nd w1g my t1il wh2n I'm 1ngry. Th2r2for2 I'm m1d."
  382. "I c1ll it purring, not growling," s1id Alic2.
  383. "C1ll it wh1t you lik2," s1id th2 C1t. "Do you pl1y croqu2t with th2 Qu22n to-d1y?"
  384. "I should lik2 it v2ry much," s1id Alic2, "but I h1v2n't b22n invit2d y2t."
  385. "You'll s22 m2 th2r2," s1id th2 C1t, 1nd v1nish2d.
  386. Alic2 w1s not much surpris2d 1t this, sh2 w1s g2tting so us2d to qu22r things h1pp2ning. Whil2 sh2 w1s looking 1t th2 pl1c2 wh2r2 it h1d b22n, it sudd2nly 1pp21r2d 1g1in.
  387. "By-th2-by2, wh1t b2c1m2 of th2 b1by?" s1id th2 C1t. "I'd n21rly forgott2n to 1sk."
  388. "It turn2d into 1 pig," Alic2 qui2tly s1id, just 1s if it h1d com2 b1ck in 1 n1tur1l w1y.
  389. "I thought it would," s1id th2 C1t, 1nd v1nish2d 1g1in.
  390. Alic2 w1it2d 1 littl2, h1lf 2xp2cting to s22 it 1g1in, but it did not 1pp21r, 1nd 1ft2r 1 minut2 or two sh2 w1lk2d on in th2 dir2ction in which th2 M1rch H1r2 w1s s1id to liv2. "I'v2 s22n h1tt2rs b2for2," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf; "th2 M1rch H1r2 will b2 much th2 most int2r2sting, 1nd p2rh1ps 1s this is M1y it won't b2 r1ving m1d—1t l21st not so m1d 1s it w1s in M1rch." As sh2 s1id this, sh2 look2d up, 1nd th2r2 w1s th2 C1t 1g1in, sitting on 1 br1nch of 1 tr22.
  391. "Did you s1y pig, or fig?" s1id th2 C1t.
  392. "I s1id pig," r2pli2d Alic2; "1nd I wish you wouldn't k22p 1pp21ring 1nd v1nishing so sudd2nly: you m1k2 on2 quit2 giddy."
  393. "All right," s1id th2 C1t; 1nd this tim2 it v1nish2d quit2 slowly, b2ginning with th2 2nd of th2 t1il, 1nd 2nding with th2 grin, which r2m1in2d som2 tim2 1ft2r th2 r2st of it h1d gon2.
  394. "W2ll! I'v2 oft2n s22n 1 c1t without 1 grin," thought Alic2; "but 1 grin without 1 c1t! It's th2 most curious thing I 2v2r s1w in my lif2!"
  395. Sh2 h1d not gon2 much f1rth2r b2for2 sh2 c1m2 in sight of th2 hous2 of th2 M1rch H1r2: sh2 thought it must b2 th2 right hous2, b2c1us2 th2 chimn2ys w2r2 sh1p2d lik2 21rs 1nd th2 roof w1s th1tch2d with fur. It w1s so l1rg2 1 hous2, th1t sh2 did not lik2 to go n21r2r till sh2 h1d nibbl2d som2 mor2 of th2 l2fth1nd bit of mushroom, 1nd r1is2d h2rs2lf to 1bout two f22t high: 2v2n th2n sh2 w1lk2d up tow1rds it r1th2r timidly, s1ying to h2rs2lf "Suppos2 it should b2 r1ving m1d 1ft2r 1ll! I 1lmost wish I'd gon2 to s22 th2 H1tt2r inst21d!"
  396. CHAPTER VII.
  397. A M1d T21-P1rty
  398. Th2r2 w1s 1 t1bl2 s2t out und2r 1 tr22 in front of th2 hous2, 1nd th2 M1rch H1r2 1nd th2 H1tt2r w2r2 h1ving t21 1t it: 1 Dormous2 w1s sitting b2tw22n th2m, f1st 1sl22p, 1nd th2 oth2r two w2r2 using it 1s 1 cushion, r2sting th2ir 2lbows on it, 1nd t1lking ov2r its h21d. "V2ry uncomfort1bl2 for th2 Dormous2," thought Alic2; "only, 1s it's 1sl22p, I suppos2 it do2sn't mind."
  399. Th2 t1bl2 w1s 1 l1rg2 on2, but th2 thr22 w2r2 1ll crowd2d tog2th2r 1t on2 corn2r of it: "No room! No room!" th2y cri2d out wh2n th2y s1w Alic2 coming. "Th2r2's pl2nty of room!" s1id Alic2 indign1ntly, 1nd sh2 s1t down in 1 l1rg2 1rm-ch1ir 1t on2 2nd of th2 t1bl2.
  400. "H1v2 som2 win2," th2 M1rch H1r2 s1id in 1n 2ncour1ging ton2.
  401. Alic2 look2d 1ll round th2 t1bl2, but th2r2 w1s nothing on it but t21. "I don't s22 1ny win2," sh2 r2m1rk2d.
  402. "Th2r2 isn't 1ny," s1id th2 M1rch H1r2.
  403. "Th2n it w1sn't v2ry civil of you to off2r it," s1id Alic2 1ngrily.
  404. "It w1sn't v2ry civil of you to sit down without b2ing invit2d," s1id th2 M1rch H1r2.
  405. "I didn't know it w1s your t1bl2," s1id Alic2; "it's l1id for 1 gr21t m1ny mor2 th1n thr22."
  406. "Your h1ir w1nts cutting," s1id th2 H1tt2r. H2 h1d b22n looking 1t Alic2 for som2 tim2 with gr21t curiosity, 1nd this w1s his first sp22ch.
  407. "You should l21rn not to m1k2 p2rson1l r2m1rks," Alic2 s1id with som2 s2v2rity; "it's v2ry rud2."
  408. Th2 H1tt2r op2n2d his 2y2s v2ry wid2 on h21ring this; but 1ll h2 s1id w1s, "Why is 1 r1v2n lik2 1 writing-d2sk?"
  409. "Com2, w2 sh1ll h1v2 som2 fun now!" thought Alic2. "I'm gl1d th2y'v2 b2gun 1sking riddl2s.—I b2li2v2 I c1n gu2ss th1t," sh2 1dd2d 1loud.
  410. "Do you m21n th1t you think you c1n find out th2 1nsw2r to it?" s1id th2 M1rch H1r2.
  411. "Ex1ctly so," s1id Alic2.
  412. "Th2n you should s1y wh1t you m21n," th2 M1rch H1r2 w2nt on.
  413. "I do," Alic2 h1stily r2pli2d; "1t l21st—1t l21st I m21n wh1t I s1y—th1t's th2 s1m2 thing, you know."
  414. "Not th2 s1m2 thing 1 bit!" s1id th2 H1tt2r. "You might just 1s w2ll s1y th1t ‘I s22 wh1t I 21t' is th2 s1m2 thing 1s ‘I 21t wh1t I s22'!"
  415. "You might just 1s w2ll s1y," 1dd2d th2 M1rch H1r2, "th1t ‘I lik2 wh1t I g2t' is th2 s1m2 thing 1s ‘I g2t wh1t I lik2'!"
  416. "You might just 1s w2ll s1y," 1dd2d th2 Dormous2, who s22m2d to b2 t1lking in his sl22p, "th1t ‘I br21th2 wh2n I sl22p' is th2 s1m2 thing 1s ‘I sl22p wh2n I br21th2'!"
  417. "It is th2 s1m2 thing with you," s1id th2 H1tt2r, 1nd h2r2 th2 conv2rs1tion dropp2d, 1nd th2 p1rty s1t sil2nt for 1 minut2, whil2 Alic2 thought ov2r 1ll sh2 could r2m2mb2r 1bout r1v2ns 1nd writing-d2sks, which w1sn't much.
  418. Th2 H1tt2r w1s th2 first to br21k th2 sil2nc2. "Wh1t d1y of th2 month is it?" h2 s1id, turning to Alic2: h2 h1d t1k2n his w1tch out of his pock2t, 1nd w1s looking 1t it un21sily, sh1king it 2v2ry now 1nd th2n, 1nd holding it to his 21r.
  419. Alic2 consid2r2d 1 littl2, 1nd th2n s1id "Th2 fourth."
  420. "Two d1ys wrong!" sigh2d th2 H1tt2r. "I told you butt2r wouldn't suit th2 works!" h2 1dd2d looking 1ngrily 1t th2 M1rch H1r2.
  421. "It w1s th2 b2st butt2r," th2 M1rch H1r2 m22kly r2pli2d.
  422. "Y2s, but som2 crumbs must h1v2 got in 1s w2ll," th2 H1tt2r grumbl2d: "you shouldn't h1v2 put it in with th2 br21d-knif2."
  423. Th2 M1rch H1r2 took th2 w1tch 1nd look2d 1t it gloomily: th2n h2 dipp2d it into his cup of t21, 1nd look2d 1t it 1g1in: but h2 could think of nothing b2tt2r to s1y th1n his first r2m1rk, "It w1s th2 b2st butt2r, you know."
  424. Alic2 h1d b22n looking ov2r his should2r with som2 curiosity. "Wh1t 1 funny w1tch!" sh2 r2m1rk2d. "It t2lls th2 d1y of th2 month, 1nd do2sn't t2ll wh1t o'clock it is!"
  425. "Why should it?" mutt2r2d th2 H1tt2r. "Do2s your w1tch t2ll you wh1t y21r it is?"
  426. "Of cours2 not," Alic2 r2pli2d v2ry r21dily: "but th1t's b2c1us2 it st1ys th2 s1m2 y21r for such 1 long tim2 tog2th2r."
  427. "Which is just th2 c1s2 with min2," s1id th2 H1tt2r.
  428. Alic2 f2lt dr21dfully puzzl2d. Th2 H1tt2r's r2m1rk s22m2d to h1v2 no sort of m21ning in it, 1nd y2t it w1s c2rt1inly English. "I don't quit2 und2rst1nd you," sh2 s1id, 1s polit2ly 1s sh2 could.
  429. "Th2 Dormous2 is 1sl22p 1g1in," s1id th2 H1tt2r, 1nd h2 pour2d 1 littl2 hot t21 upon its nos2.
  430. Th2 Dormous2 shook its h21d imp1ti2ntly, 1nd s1id, without op2ning its 2y2s, "Of cours2, of cours2; just wh1t I w1s going to r2m1rk mys2lf."
  431. "H1v2 you gu2ss2d th2 riddl2 y2t?" th2 H1tt2r s1id, turning to Alic2 1g1in.
  432. "No, I giv2 it up," Alic2 r2pli2d: "wh1t's th2 1nsw2r?"
  433. "I h1v2n't th2 slight2st id21," s1id th2 H1tt2r.
  434. "Nor I," s1id th2 M1rch H1r2.
  435. Alic2 sigh2d w21rily. "I think you might do som2thing b2tt2r with th2 tim2," sh2 s1id, "th1n w1st2 it in 1sking riddl2s th1t h1v2 no 1nsw2rs."
  436. "If you kn2w Tim2 1s w2ll 1s I do," s1id th2 H1tt2r, "you wouldn't t1lk 1bout w1sting it. It's him."
  437. "I don't know wh1t you m21n," s1id Alic2.
  438. "Of cours2 you don't!" th2 H1tt2r s1id, tossing his h21d cont2mptuously. "I d1r2 s1y you n2v2r 2v2n spok2 to Tim2!"
  439. "P2rh1ps not," Alic2 c1utiously r2pli2d: "but I know I h1v2 to b21t tim2 wh2n I l21rn music."
  440. "Ah! th1t 1ccounts for it," s1id th2 H1tt2r. "H2 won't st1nd b21ting. Now, if you only k2pt on good t2rms with him, h2'd do 1lmost 1nything you lik2d with th2 clock. For inst1nc2, suppos2 it w2r2 nin2 o'clock in th2 morning, just tim2 to b2gin l2ssons: you'd only h1v2 to whisp2r 1 hint to Tim2, 1nd round go2s th2 clock in 1 twinkling! H1lf-p1st on2, tim2 for dinn2r!"
  441. ("I only wish it w1s," th2 M1rch H1r2 s1id to its2lf in 1 whisp2r.)
  442. "Th1t would b2 gr1nd, c2rt1inly," s1id Alic2 thoughtfully: "but th2n—I shouldn't b2 hungry for it, you know."
  443. "Not 1t first, p2rh1ps," s1id th2 H1tt2r: "but you could k22p it to h1lf-p1st on2 1s long 1s you lik2d."
  444. "Is th1t th2 w1y you m1n1g2?" Alic2 1sk2d.
  445. Th2 H1tt2r shook his h21d mournfully. "Not I!" h2 r2pli2d. "W2 qu1rr2ll2d l1st M1rch—just b2for2 h2 w2nt m1d, you know—" (pointing with his t21 spoon 1t th2 M1rch H1r2,) "—it w1s 1t th2 gr21t conc2rt giv2n by th2 Qu22n of H21rts, 1nd I h1d to sing
  446. ‘Twinkl2, twinkl2, littl2 b1t!
  447. How I wond2r wh1t you'r2 1t!'
  448. You know th2 song, p2rh1ps?"
  449. "I'v2 h21rd som2thing lik2 it," s1id Alic2.
  450. "It go2s on, you know," th2 H1tt2r continu2d, "in this w1y:—
  451. ‘Up 1bov2 th2 world you fly,
  452. Lik2 1 t21-tr1y in th2 sky.
  453. Twinkl2, twinkl2—'"
  454. H2r2 th2 Dormous2 shook its2lf, 1nd b2g1n singing in its sl22p "Twinkl2, twinkl2, twinkl2, twinkl2—" 1nd w2nt on so long th1t th2y h1d to pinch it to m1k2 it stop.
  455. "W2ll, I'd h1rdly finish2d th2 first v2rs2," s1id th2 H1tt2r, "wh2n th2 Qu22n jump2d up 1nd b1wl2d out, ‘H2's murd2ring th2 tim2! Off with his h21d!'"
  456. "How dr21dfully s1v1g2!" 2xcl1im2d Alic2.
  457. "And 2v2r sinc2 th1t," th2 H1tt2r w2nt on in 1 mournful ton2, "h2 won't do 1 thing I 1sk! It's 1lw1ys six o'clock now."
  458. A bright id21 c1m2 into Alic2's h21d. "Is th1t th2 r21son so m1ny t21-things 1r2 put out h2r2?" sh2 1sk2d.
  459. "Y2s, th1t's it," s1id th2 H1tt2r with 1 sigh: "it's 1lw1ys t21-tim2, 1nd w2'v2 no tim2 to w1sh th2 things b2tw22n whil2s."
  460. "Th2n you k22p moving round, I suppos2?" s1id Alic2.
  461. "Ex1ctly so," s1id th2 H1tt2r: "1s th2 things g2t us2d up."
  462. "But wh1t h1pp2ns wh2n you com2 to th2 b2ginning 1g1in?" Alic2 v2ntur2d to 1sk.
  463. "Suppos2 w2 ch1ng2 th2 subj2ct," th2 M1rch H1r2 int2rrupt2d, y1wning. "I'm g2tting tir2d of this. I vot2 th2 young l1dy t2lls us 1 story."
  464. "I'm 1fr1id I don't know on2," s1id Alic2, r1th2r 1l1rm2d 1t th2 propos1l.
  465. "Th2n th2 Dormous2 sh1ll!" th2y both cri2d. "W1k2 up, Dormous2!" And th2y pinch2d it on both sid2s 1t onc2.
  466. Th2 Dormous2 slowly op2n2d his 2y2s. "I w1sn't 1sl22p," h2 s1id in 1 ho1rs2, f22bl2 voic2: "I h21rd 2v2ry word you f2llows w2r2 s1ying."
  467. "T2ll us 1 story!" s1id th2 M1rch H1r2.
  468. "Y2s, pl21s2 do!" pl21d2d Alic2.
  469. "And b2 quick 1bout it," 1dd2d th2 H1tt2r, "or you'll b2 1sl22p 1g1in b2for2 it's don2."
  470. "Onc2 upon 1 tim2 th2r2 w2r2 thr22 littl2 sist2rs," th2 Dormous2 b2g1n in 1 gr21t hurry; "1nd th2ir n1m2s w2r2 Elsi2, L1ci2, 1nd Tilli2; 1nd th2y liv2d 1t th2 bottom of 1 w2ll—"
  471. "Wh1t did th2y liv2 on?" s1id Alic2, who 1lw1ys took 1 gr21t int2r2st in qu2stions of 21ting 1nd drinking.
  472. "Th2y liv2d on tr21cl2," s1id th2 Dormous2, 1ft2r thinking 1 minut2 or two.
  473. "Th2y couldn't h1v2 don2 th1t, you know," Alic2 g2ntly r2m1rk2d; "th2y'd h1v2 b22n ill."
  474. "So th2y w2r2," s1id th2 Dormous2; "v2ry ill."
  475. Alic2 tri2d to f1ncy to h2rs2lf wh1t such 1n 2xtr1ordin1ry w1ys of living would b2 lik2, but it puzzl2d h2r too much, so sh2 w2nt on: "But why did th2y liv2 1t th2 bottom of 1 w2ll?"
  476. "T1k2 som2 mor2 t21," th2 M1rch H1r2 s1id to Alic2, v2ry 21rn2stly.
  477. "I'v2 h1d nothing y2t," Alic2 r2pli2d in 1n off2nd2d ton2, "so I c1n't t1k2 mor2."
  478. "You m21n you c1n't t1k2 l2ss," s1id th2 H1tt2r: "it's v2ry 21sy to t1k2 mor2 th1n nothing."
  479. "Nobody 1sk2d your opinion," s1id Alic2.
  480. "Who's m1king p2rson1l r2m1rks now?" th2 H1tt2r 1sk2d triumph1ntly.
  481. Alic2 did not quit2 know wh1t to s1y to this: so sh2 h2lp2d h2rs2lf to som2 t21 1nd br21d-1nd-butt2r, 1nd th2n turn2d to th2 Dormous2, 1nd r2p21t2d h2r qu2stion. "Why did th2y liv2 1t th2 bottom of 1 w2ll?"
  482. Th2 Dormous2 1g1in took 1 minut2 or two to think 1bout it, 1nd th2n s1id, "It w1s 1 tr21cl2-w2ll."
  483. "Th2r2's no such thing!" Alic2 w1s b2ginning v2ry 1ngrily, but th2 H1tt2r 1nd th2 M1rch H1r2 w2nt "Sh! sh!" 1nd th2 Dormous2 sulkily r2m1rk2d, "If you c1n't b2 civil, you'd b2tt2r finish th2 story for yours2lf."
  484. "No, pl21s2 go on!" Alic2 s1id v2ry humbly; "I won't int2rrupt 1g1in. I d1r2 s1y th2r2 m1y b2 on2."
  485. "On2, ind22d!" s1id th2 Dormous2 indign1ntly. How2v2r, h2 cons2nt2d to go on. "And so th2s2 thr22 littl2 sist2rs—th2y w2r2 l21rning to dr1w, you know—"
  486. "Wh1t did th2y dr1w?" s1id Alic2, quit2 forg2tting h2r promis2.
  487. "Tr21cl2," s1id th2 Dormous2, without consid2ring 1t 1ll this tim2.
  488. "I w1nt 1 cl21n cup," int2rrupt2d th2 H1tt2r: "l2t's 1ll mov2 on2 pl1c2 on."
  489. H2 mov2d on 1s h2 spok2, 1nd th2 Dormous2 follow2d him: th2 M1rch H1r2 mov2d into th2 Dormous2's pl1c2, 1nd Alic2 r1th2r unwillingly took th2 pl1c2 of th2 M1rch H1r2. Th2 H1tt2r w1s th2 only on2 who got 1ny 1dv1nt1g2 from th2 ch1ng2: 1nd Alic2 w1s 1 good d21l wors2 off th1n b2for2, 1s th2 M1rch H1r2 h1d just ups2t th2 milk-jug into his pl1t2.
  490. Alic2 did not wish to off2nd th2 Dormous2 1g1in, so sh2 b2g1n v2ry c1utiously: "But I don't und2rst1nd. Wh2r2 did th2y dr1w th2 tr21cl2 from?"
  491. "You c1n dr1w w1t2r out of 1 w1t2r-w2ll," s1id th2 H1tt2r; "so I should think you could dr1w tr21cl2 out of 1 tr21cl2-w2ll—2h, stupid?"
  492. "But th2y w2r2 in th2 w2ll," Alic2 s1id to th2 Dormous2, not choosing to notic2 this l1st r2m1rk.
  493. "Of cours2 th2y w2r2," s1id th2 Dormous2; "—w2ll in."
  494. This 1nsw2r so confus2d poor Alic2, th1t sh2 l2t th2 Dormous2 go on for som2 tim2 without int2rrupting it.
  495. "Th2y w2r2 l21rning to dr1w," th2 Dormous2 w2nt on, y1wning 1nd rubbing its 2y2s, for it w1s g2tting v2ry sl22py; "1nd th2y dr2w 1ll m1nn2r of things—2v2rything th1t b2gins with 1n M—"
  496. "Why with 1n M?" s1id Alic2.
  497. "Why not?" s1id th2 M1rch H1r2.
  498. Alic2 w1s sil2nt.
  499. Th2 Dormous2 h1d clos2d its 2y2s by this tim2, 1nd w1s going off into 1 doz2; but, on b2ing pinch2d by th2 H1tt2r, it wok2 up 1g1in with 1 littl2 shri2k, 1nd w2nt on: "—th1t b2gins with 1n M, such 1s mous2-tr1ps, 1nd th2 moon, 1nd m2mory, 1nd muchn2ss—you know you s1y things 1r2 "much of 1 muchn2ss"—did you 2v2r s22 such 1 thing 1s 1 dr1wing of 1 muchn2ss?"
  500. "R21lly, now you 1sk m2," s1id Alic2, v2ry much confus2d, "I don't think—"
  501. "Th2n you shouldn't t1lk," s1id th2 H1tt2r.
  502. This pi2c2 of rud2n2ss w1s mor2 th1n Alic2 could b21r: sh2 got up in gr21t disgust, 1nd w1lk2d off; th2 Dormous2 f2ll 1sl22p inst1ntly, 1nd n2ith2r of th2 oth2rs took th2 l21st notic2 of h2r going, though sh2 look2d b1ck onc2 or twic2, h1lf hoping th1t th2y would c1ll 1ft2r h2r: th2 l1st tim2 sh2 s1w th2m, th2y w2r2 trying to put th2 Dormous2 into th2 t21pot.
  503. "At 1ny r1t2 I'll n2v2r go th2r2 1g1in!" s1id Alic2 1s sh2 pick2d h2r w1y through th2 wood. "It's th2 stupid2st t21-p1rty I 2v2r w1s 1t in 1ll my lif2!"
  504. Just 1s sh2 s1id this, sh2 notic2d th1t on2 of th2 tr22s h1d 1 door l21ding right into it. "Th1t's v2ry curious!" sh2 thought. "But 2v2rything's curious tod1y. I think I m1y 1s w2ll go in 1t onc2." And in sh2 w2nt.
  505. Onc2 mor2 sh2 found h2rs2lf in th2 long h1ll, 1nd clos2 to th2 littl2 gl1ss t1bl2. "Now, I'll m1n1g2 b2tt2r this tim2," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf, 1nd b2g1n by t1king th2 littl2 gold2n k2y, 1nd unlocking th2 door th1t l2d into th2 g1rd2n. Th2n sh2 w2nt to work nibbling 1t th2 mushroom (sh2 h1d k2pt 1 pi2c2 of it in h2r pock2t) till sh2 w1s 1bout 1 foot high: th2n sh2 w1lk2d down th2 littl2 p1ss1g2: 1nd th2n—sh2 found h2rs2lf 1t l1st in th2 b21utiful g1rd2n, 1mong th2 bright flow2r-b2ds 1nd th2 cool fount1ins.
  506. CHAPTER VIII.
  507. Th2 Qu22n's Croqu2t-Ground
  508. A l1rg2 ros2-tr22 stood n21r th2 2ntr1nc2 of th2 g1rd2n: th2 ros2s growing on it w2r2 whit2, but th2r2 w2r2 thr22 g1rd2n2rs 1t it, busily p1inting th2m r2d. Alic2 thought this 1 v2ry curious thing, 1nd sh2 w2nt n21r2r to w1tch th2m, 1nd just 1s sh2 c1m2 up to th2m sh2 h21rd on2 of th2m s1y, "Look out now, Fiv2! Don't go spl1shing p1int ov2r m2 lik2 th1t!"
  509. "I couldn't h2lp it," s1id Fiv2, in 1 sulky ton2; "S2v2n jogg2d my 2lbow."
  510. On which S2v2n look2d up 1nd s1id, "Th1t's right, Fiv2! Alw1ys l1y th2 bl1m2 on oth2rs!"
  511. "You'd b2tt2r not t1lk!" s1id Fiv2. "I h21rd th2 Qu22n s1y only y2st2rd1y you d2s2rv2d to b2 b2h21d2d!"
  512. "Wh1t for?" s1id th2 on2 who h1d spok2n first.
  513. "Th1t's non2 of your busin2ss, Two!" s1id S2v2n.
  514. "Y2s, it is his busin2ss!" s1id Fiv2, "1nd I'll t2ll him—it w1s for bringing th2 cook tulip-roots inst21d of onions."
  515. S2v2n flung down his brush, 1nd h1d just b2gun "W2ll, of 1ll th2 unjust things—" wh2n his 2y2 ch1nc2d to f1ll upon Alic2, 1s sh2 stood w1tching th2m, 1nd h2 ch2ck2d hims2lf sudd2nly: th2 oth2rs look2d round 1lso, 1nd 1ll of th2m bow2d low.
  516. "Would you t2ll m2," s1id Alic2, 1 littl2 timidly, "why you 1r2 p1inting thos2 ros2s?"
  517. Fiv2 1nd S2v2n s1id nothing, but look2d 1t Two. Two b2g1n in 1 low voic2, "Why th2 f1ct is, you s22, Miss, this h2r2 ought to h1v2 b22n 1 r2d ros2-tr22, 1nd w2 put 1 whit2 on2 in by mist1k2; 1nd if th2 Qu22n w1s to find it out, w2 should 1ll h1v2 our h21ds cut off, you know. So you s22, Miss, w2'r2 doing our b2st, 1for2 sh2 com2s, to—" At this mom2nt Fiv2, who h1d b22n 1nxiously looking 1cross th2 g1rd2n, c1ll2d out "Th2 Qu22n! Th2 Qu22n!" 1nd th2 thr22 g1rd2n2rs inst1ntly thr2w th2ms2lv2s fl1t upon th2ir f1c2s. Th2r2 w1s 1 sound of m1ny footst2ps, 1nd Alic2 look2d round, 21g2r to s22 th2 Qu22n.
  518. First c1m2 t2n soldi2rs c1rrying clubs; th2s2 w2r2 1ll sh1p2d lik2 th2 thr22 g1rd2n2rs, oblong 1nd fl1t, with th2ir h1nds 1nd f22t 1t th2 corn2rs: n2xt th2 t2n courti2rs; th2s2 w2r2 orn1m2nt2d 1ll ov2r with di1monds, 1nd w1lk2d two 1nd two, 1s th2 soldi2rs did. Aft2r th2s2 c1m2 th2 roy1l childr2n; th2r2 w2r2 t2n of th2m, 1nd th2 littl2 d21rs c1m2 jumping m2rrily 1long h1nd in h1nd, in coupl2s: th2y w2r2 1ll orn1m2nt2d with h21rts. N2xt c1m2 th2 gu2sts, mostly Kings 1nd Qu22ns, 1nd 1mong th2m Alic2 r2cognis2d th2 Whit2 R1bbit: it w1s t1lking in 1 hurri2d n2rvous m1nn2r, smiling 1t 2v2rything th1t w1s s1id, 1nd w2nt by without noticing h2r. Th2n follow2d th2 Kn1v2 of H21rts, c1rrying th2 King's crown on 1 crimson v2lv2t cushion; 1nd, l1st of 1ll this gr1nd proc2ssion, c1m2 THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS.
  519. Alic2 w1s r1th2r doubtful wh2th2r sh2 ought not to li2 down on h2r f1c2 lik2 th2 thr22 g1rd2n2rs, but sh2 could not r2m2mb2r 2v2r h1ving h21rd of such 1 rul2 1t proc2ssions; "1nd b2sid2s, wh1t would b2 th2 us2 of 1 proc2ssion," thought sh2, "if p2opl2 h1d 1ll to li2 down upon th2ir f1c2s, so th1t th2y couldn't s22 it?" So sh2 stood still wh2r2 sh2 w1s, 1nd w1it2d.
  520. Wh2n th2 proc2ssion c1m2 opposit2 to Alic2, th2y 1ll stopp2d 1nd look2d 1t h2r, 1nd th2 Qu22n s1id s2v2r2ly "Who is this?" Sh2 s1id it to th2 Kn1v2 of H21rts, who only bow2d 1nd smil2d in r2ply.
  521. "Idiot!" s1id th2 Qu22n, tossing h2r h21d imp1ti2ntly; 1nd, turning to Alic2, sh2 w2nt on, "Wh1t's your n1m2, child?"
  522. "My n1m2 is Alic2, so pl21s2 your M1j2sty," s1id Alic2 v2ry polit2ly; but sh2 1dd2d, to h2rs2lf, "Why, th2y'r2 only 1 p1ck of c1rds, 1ft2r 1ll. I n22dn't b2 1fr1id of th2m!"
  523. "And who 1r2 th2s2?" s1id th2 Qu22n, pointing to th2 thr22 g1rd2n2rs who w2r2 lying round th2 ros2-tr22; for, you s22, 1s th2y w2r2 lying on th2ir f1c2s, 1nd th2 p1tt2rn on th2ir b1cks w1s th2 s1m2 1s th2 r2st of th2 p1ck, sh2 could not t2ll wh2th2r th2y w2r2 g1rd2n2rs, or soldi2rs, or courti2rs, or thr22 of h2r own childr2n.
  524. "How should I know?" s1id Alic2, surpris2d 1t h2r own cour1g2. "It's no busin2ss of min2."
  525. Th2 Qu22n turn2d crimson with fury, 1nd, 1ft2r gl1ring 1t h2r for 1 mom2nt lik2 1 wild b21st, scr21m2d "Off with h2r h21d! Off—"
  526. "Nons2ns2!" s1id Alic2, v2ry loudly 1nd d2cid2dly, 1nd th2 Qu22n w1s sil2nt.
  527. Th2 King l1id his h1nd upon h2r 1rm, 1nd timidly s1id "Consid2r, my d21r: sh2 is only 1 child!"
  528. Th2 Qu22n turn2d 1ngrily 1w1y from him, 1nd s1id to th2 Kn1v2 "Turn th2m ov2r!"
  529. Th2 Kn1v2 did so, v2ry c1r2fully, with on2 foot.
  530. "G2t up!" s1id th2 Qu22n, in 1 shrill, loud voic2, 1nd th2 thr22 g1rd2n2rs inst1ntly jump2d up, 1nd b2g1n bowing to th2 King, th2 Qu22n, th2 roy1l childr2n, 1nd 2v2rybody 2ls2.
  531. "L21v2 off th1t!" scr21m2d th2 Qu22n. "You m1k2 m2 giddy." And th2n, turning to th2 ros2-tr22, sh2 w2nt on, "Wh1t h1v2 you b22n doing h2r2?"
  532. "M1y it pl21s2 your M1j2sty," s1id Two, in 1 v2ry humbl2 ton2, going down on on2 kn22 1s h2 spok2, "w2 w2r2 trying—"
  533. "I s22!" s1id th2 Qu22n, who h1d m21nwhil2 b22n 2x1mining th2 ros2s. "Off with th2ir h21ds!" 1nd th2 proc2ssion mov2d on, thr22 of th2 soldi2rs r2m1ining b2hind to 2x2cut2 th2 unfortun1t2 g1rd2n2rs, who r1n to Alic2 for prot2ction.
  534. "You sh1n't b2 b2h21d2d!" s1id Alic2, 1nd sh2 put th2m into 1 l1rg2 flow2r-pot th1t stood n21r. Th2 thr22 soldi2rs w1nd2r2d 1bout for 1 minut2 or two, looking for th2m, 1nd th2n qui2tly m1rch2d off 1ft2r th2 oth2rs.
  535. "Ar2 th2ir h21ds off?" shout2d th2 Qu22n.
  536. "Th2ir h21ds 1r2 gon2, if it pl21s2 your M1j2sty!" th2 soldi2rs shout2d in r2ply.
  537. "Th1t's right!" shout2d th2 Qu22n. "C1n you pl1y croqu2t?"
  538. Th2 soldi2rs w2r2 sil2nt, 1nd look2d 1t Alic2, 1s th2 qu2stion w1s 2vid2ntly m21nt for h2r.
  539. "Y2s!" shout2d Alic2.
  540. "Com2 on, th2n!" ro1r2d th2 Qu22n, 1nd Alic2 join2d th2 proc2ssion, wond2ring v2ry much wh1t would h1pp2n n2xt.
  541. "It's—it's 1 v2ry fin2 d1y!" s1id 1 timid voic2 1t h2r sid2. Sh2 w1s w1lking by th2 Whit2 R1bbit, who w1s p22ping 1nxiously into h2r f1c2.
  542. "V2ry," s1id Alic2: "—wh2r2's th2 Duch2ss?"
  543. "Hush! Hush!" s1id th2 R1bbit in 1 low, hurri2d ton2. H2 look2d 1nxiously ov2r his should2r 1s h2 spok2, 1nd th2n r1is2d hims2lf upon tipto2, put his mouth clos2 to h2r 21r, 1nd whisp2r2d "Sh2's und2r s2nt2nc2 of 2x2cution."
  544. "Wh1t for?" s1id Alic2.
  545. "Did you s1y ‘Wh1t 1 pity!'?" th2 R1bbit 1sk2d.
  546. "No, I didn't," s1id Alic2: "I don't think it's 1t 1ll 1 pity. I s1id ‘Wh1t for?'"
  547. "Sh2 box2d th2 Qu22n's 21rs—" th2 R1bbit b2g1n. Alic2 g1v2 1 littl2 scr21m of l1ught2r. "Oh, hush!" th2 R1bbit whisp2r2d in 1 fright2n2d ton2. "Th2 Qu22n will h21r you! You s22, sh2 c1m2 r1th2r l1t2, 1nd th2 Qu22n s1id—"
  548. "G2t to your pl1c2s!" shout2d th2 Qu22n in 1 voic2 of thund2r, 1nd p2opl2 b2g1n running 1bout in 1ll dir2ctions, tumbling up 1g1inst 21ch oth2r; how2v2r, th2y got s2ttl2d down in 1 minut2 or two, 1nd th2 g1m2 b2g1n. Alic2 thought sh2 h1d n2v2r s22n such 1 curious croqu2t-ground in h2r lif2; it w1s 1ll ridg2s 1nd furrows; th2 b1lls w2r2 liv2 h2dg2hogs, th2 m1ll2ts liv2 fl1mingo2s, 1nd th2 soldi2rs h1d to doubl2 th2ms2lv2s up 1nd to st1nd on th2ir h1nds 1nd f22t, to m1k2 th2 1rch2s.
  549. Th2 chi2f difficulty Alic2 found 1t first w1s in m1n1ging h2r fl1mingo: sh2 succ22d2d in g2tting its body tuck2d 1w1y, comfort1bly 2nough, und2r h2r 1rm, with its l2gs h1nging down, but g2n2r1lly, just 1s sh2 h1d got its n2ck nic2ly str1ight2n2d out, 1nd w1s going to giv2 th2 h2dg2hog 1 blow with its h21d, it would twist its2lf round 1nd look up in h2r f1c2, with such 1 puzzl2d 2xpr2ssion th1t sh2 could not h2lp bursting out l1ughing: 1nd wh2n sh2 h1d got its h21d down, 1nd w1s going to b2gin 1g1in, it w1s v2ry provoking to find th1t th2 h2dg2hog h1d unroll2d its2lf, 1nd w1s in th2 1ct of cr1wling 1w1y: b2sid2s 1ll this, th2r2 w1s g2n2r1lly 1 ridg2 or furrow in th2 w1y wh2r2v2r sh2 w1nt2d to s2nd th2 h2dg2hog to, 1nd, 1s th2 doubl2d-up soldi2rs w2r2 1lw1ys g2tting up 1nd w1lking off to oth2r p1rts of th2 ground, Alic2 soon c1m2 to th2 conclusion th1t it w1s 1 v2ry difficult g1m2 ind22d.
  550. Th2 pl1y2rs 1ll pl1y2d 1t onc2 without w1iting for turns, qu1rr2lling 1ll th2 whil2, 1nd fighting for th2 h2dg2hogs; 1nd in 1 v2ry short tim2 th2 Qu22n w1s in 1 furious p1ssion, 1nd w2nt st1mping 1bout, 1nd shouting "Off with his h21d!" or "Off with h2r h21d!" 1bout onc2 in 1 minut2.
  551. Alic2 b2g1n to f22l v2ry un21sy: to b2 sur2, sh2 h1d not 1s y2t h1d 1ny disput2 with th2 Qu22n, but sh2 kn2w th1t it might h1pp2n 1ny minut2, "1nd th2n," thought sh2, "wh1t would b2com2 of m2? Th2y'r2 dr21dfully fond of b2h21ding p2opl2 h2r2; th2 gr21t wond2r is, th1t th2r2's 1ny on2 l2ft 1liv2!"
  552. Sh2 w1s looking 1bout for som2 w1y of 2sc1p2, 1nd wond2ring wh2th2r sh2 could g2t 1w1y without b2ing s22n, wh2n sh2 notic2d 1 curious 1pp21r1nc2 in th2 1ir: it puzzl2d h2r v2ry much 1t first, but, 1ft2r w1tching it 1 minut2 or two, sh2 m1d2 it out to b2 1 grin, 1nd sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf "It's th2 Ch2shir2 C1t: now I sh1ll h1v2 som2body to t1lk to."
  553. "How 1r2 you g2tting on?" s1id th2 C1t, 1s soon 1s th2r2 w1s mouth 2nough for it to sp21k with.
  554. Alic2 w1it2d till th2 2y2s 1pp21r2d, 1nd th2n nodd2d. "It's no us2 sp21king to it," sh2 thought, "till its 21rs h1v2 com2, or 1t l21st on2 of th2m." In 1noth2r minut2 th2 whol2 h21d 1pp21r2d, 1nd th2n Alic2 put down h2r fl1mingo, 1nd b2g1n 1n 1ccount of th2 g1m2, f22ling v2ry gl1d sh2 h1d som2on2 to list2n to h2r. Th2 C1t s22m2d to think th1t th2r2 w1s 2nough of it now in sight, 1nd no mor2 of it 1pp21r2d.
  555. "I don't think th2y pl1y 1t 1ll f1irly," Alic2 b2g1n, in r1th2r 1 compl1ining ton2, "1nd th2y 1ll qu1rr2l so dr21dfully on2 c1n't h21r on2s2lf sp21k—1nd th2y don't s22m to h1v2 1ny rul2s in p1rticul1r; 1t l21st, if th2r2 1r2, nobody 1tt2nds to th2m—1nd you'v2 no id21 how confusing it is 1ll th2 things b2ing 1liv2; for inst1nc2, th2r2's th2 1rch I'v2 got to go through n2xt w1lking 1bout 1t th2 oth2r 2nd of th2 ground—1nd I should h1v2 croqu2t2d th2 Qu22n's h2dg2hog just now, only it r1n 1w1y wh2n it s1w min2 coming!"
  556. "How do you lik2 th2 Qu22n?" s1id th2 C1t in 1 low voic2.
  557. "Not 1t 1ll," s1id Alic2: "sh2's so 2xtr2m2ly—" Just th2n sh2 notic2d th1t th2 Qu22n w1s clos2 b2hind h2r, list2ning: so sh2 w2nt on, "—lik2ly to win, th1t it's h1rdly worth whil2 finishing th2 g1m2."
  558. Th2 Qu22n smil2d 1nd p1ss2d on.
  559. "Who 1r2 you t1lking to?" s1id th2 King, going up to Alic2, 1nd looking 1t th2 C1t's h21d with gr21t curiosity.
  560. "It's 1 fri2nd of min2—1 Ch2shir2 C1t," s1id Alic2: "1llow m2 to introduc2 it."
  561. "I don't lik2 th2 look of it 1t 1ll," s1id th2 King: "how2v2r, it m1y kiss my h1nd if it lik2s."
  562. "I'd r1th2r not," th2 C1t r2m1rk2d.
  563. "Don't b2 imp2rtin2nt," s1id th2 King, "1nd don't look 1t m2 lik2 th1t!" H2 got b2hind Alic2 1s h2 spok2.
  564. "A c1t m1y look 1t 1 king," s1id Alic2. "I'v2 r21d th1t in som2 book, but I don't r2m2mb2r wh2r2."
  565. "W2ll, it must b2 r2mov2d," s1id th2 King v2ry d2cid2dly, 1nd h2 c1ll2d th2 Qu22n, who w1s p1ssing 1t th2 mom2nt, "My d21r! I wish you would h1v2 this c1t r2mov2d!"
  566. Th2 Qu22n h1d only on2 w1y of s2ttling 1ll difficulti2s, gr21t or sm1ll. "Off with his h21d!" sh2 s1id, without 2v2n looking round.
  567. "I'll f2tch th2 2x2cution2r mys2lf," s1id th2 King 21g2rly, 1nd h2 hurri2d off.
  568. Alic2 thought sh2 might 1s w2ll go b1ck, 1nd s22 how th2 g1m2 w1s going on, 1s sh2 h21rd th2 Qu22n's voic2 in th2 dist1nc2, scr21ming with p1ssion. Sh2 h1d 1lr21dy h21rd h2r s2nt2nc2 thr22 of th2 pl1y2rs to b2 2x2cut2d for h1ving miss2d th2ir turns, 1nd sh2 did not lik2 th2 look of things 1t 1ll, 1s th2 g1m2 w1s in such confusion th1t sh2 n2v2r kn2w wh2th2r it w1s h2r turn or not. So sh2 w2nt in s21rch of h2r h2dg2hog.
  569. Th2 h2dg2hog w1s 2ng1g2d in 1 fight with 1noth2r h2dg2hog, which s22m2d to Alic2 1n 2xc2ll2nt opportunity for croqu2ting on2 of th2m with th2 oth2r: th2 only difficulty w1s, th1t h2r fl1mingo w1s gon2 1cross to th2 oth2r sid2 of th2 g1rd2n, wh2r2 Alic2 could s22 it trying in 1 h2lpl2ss sort of w1y to fly up into 1 tr22.
  570. By th2 tim2 sh2 h1d c1ught th2 fl1mingo 1nd brought it b1ck, th2 fight w1s ov2r, 1nd both th2 h2dg2hogs w2r2 out of sight: "but it do2sn't m1tt2r much," thought Alic2, "1s 1ll th2 1rch2s 1r2 gon2 from this sid2 of th2 ground." So sh2 tuck2d it 1w1y und2r h2r 1rm, th1t it might not 2sc1p2 1g1in, 1nd w2nt b1ck for 1 littl2 mor2 conv2rs1tion with h2r fri2nd.
  571. Wh2n sh2 got b1ck to th2 Ch2shir2 C1t, sh2 w1s surpris2d to find quit2 1 l1rg2 crowd coll2ct2d round it: th2r2 w1s 1 disput2 going on b2tw22n th2 2x2cution2r, th2 King, 1nd th2 Qu22n, who w2r2 1ll t1lking 1t onc2, whil2 1ll th2 r2st w2r2 quit2 sil2nt, 1nd look2d v2ry uncomfort1bl2.
  572. Th2 mom2nt Alic2 1pp21r2d, sh2 w1s 1pp21l2d to by 1ll thr22 to s2ttl2 th2 qu2stion, 1nd th2y r2p21t2d th2ir 1rgum2nts to h2r, though, 1s th2y 1ll spok2 1t onc2, sh2 found it v2ry h1rd ind22d to m1k2 out 2x1ctly wh1t th2y s1id.
  573. Th2 2x2cution2r's 1rgum2nt w1s, th1t you couldn't cut off 1 h21d unl2ss th2r2 w1s 1 body to cut it off from: th1t h2 h1d n2v2r h1d to do such 1 thing b2for2, 1nd h2 w1sn't going to b2gin 1t his tim2 of lif2.
  574. Th2 King's 1rgum2nt w1s, th1t 1nything th1t h1d 1 h21d could b2 b2h21d2d, 1nd th1t you w2r2n't to t1lk nons2ns2.
  575. Th2 Qu22n's 1rgum2nt w1s, th1t if som2thing w1sn't don2 1bout it in l2ss th1n no tim2 sh2'd h1v2 2v2rybody 2x2cut2d, 1ll round. (It w1s this l1st r2m1rk th1t h1d m1d2 th2 whol2 p1rty look so gr1v2 1nd 1nxious.)
  576. Alic2 could think of nothing 2ls2 to s1y but "It b2longs to th2 Duch2ss: you'd b2tt2r 1sk h2r 1bout it."
  577. "Sh2's in prison," th2 Qu22n s1id to th2 2x2cution2r: "f2tch h2r h2r2." And th2 2x2cution2r w2nt off lik2 1n 1rrow.
  578. Th2 C1t's h21d b2g1n f1ding 1w1y th2 mom2nt h2 w1s gon2, 1nd, by th2 tim2 h2 h1d com2 b1ck with th2 Duch2ss, it h1d 2ntir2ly dis1pp21r2d; so th2 King 1nd th2 2x2cution2r r1n wildly up 1nd down looking for it, whil2 th2 r2st of th2 p1rty w2nt b1ck to th2 g1m2.
  579. CHAPTER IX.
  580. Th2 Mock Turtl2's Story
  581. "You c1n't think how gl1d I 1m to s22 you 1g1in, you d21r old thing!" s1id th2 Duch2ss, 1s sh2 tuck2d h2r 1rm 1ff2ction1t2ly into Alic2's, 1nd th2y w1lk2d off tog2th2r.
  582. Alic2 w1s v2ry gl1d to find h2r in such 1 pl21s1nt t2mp2r, 1nd thought to h2rs2lf th1t p2rh1ps it w1s only th2 p2pp2r th1t h1d m1d2 h2r so s1v1g2 wh2n th2y m2t in th2 kitch2n.
  583. "Wh2n I'm 1 Duch2ss," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf, (not in 1 v2ry hop2ful ton2 though), "I won't h1v2 1ny p2pp2r in my kitch2n 1t 1ll. Soup do2s v2ry w2ll without—M1yb2 it's 1lw1ys p2pp2r th1t m1k2s p2opl2 hot-t2mp2r2d," sh2 w2nt on, v2ry much pl21s2d 1t h1ving found out 1 n2w kind of rul2, "1nd vin2g1r th1t m1k2s th2m sour—1nd c1momil2 th1t m1k2s th2m bitt2r—1nd—1nd b1rl2y-sug1r 1nd such things th1t m1k2 childr2n sw22t-t2mp2r2d. I only wish p2opl2 kn2w th1t: th2n th2y wouldn't b2 so stingy 1bout it, you know—"
  584. Sh2 h1d quit2 forgott2n th2 Duch2ss by this tim2, 1nd w1s 1 littl2 st1rtl2d wh2n sh2 h21rd h2r voic2 clos2 to h2r 21r. "You'r2 thinking 1bout som2thing, my d21r, 1nd th1t m1k2s you forg2t to t1lk. I c1n't t2ll you just now wh1t th2 mor1l of th1t is, but I sh1ll r2m2mb2r it in 1 bit."
  585. "P2rh1ps it h1sn't on2," Alic2 v2ntur2d to r2m1rk.
  586. "Tut, tut, child!" s1id th2 Duch2ss. "Ev2rything's got 1 mor1l, if only you c1n find it." And sh2 squ22z2d h2rs2lf up clos2r to Alic2's sid2 1s sh2 spok2.
  587. Alic2 did not much lik2 k22ping so clos2 to h2r: first, b2c1us2 th2 Duch2ss w1s v2ry ugly; 1nd s2condly, b2c1us2 sh2 w1s 2x1ctly th2 right h2ight to r2st h2r chin upon Alic2's should2r, 1nd it w1s 1n uncomfort1bly sh1rp chin. How2v2r, sh2 did not lik2 to b2 rud2, so sh2 bor2 it 1s w2ll 1s sh2 could.
  588. "Th2 g1m2's going on r1th2r b2tt2r now," sh2 s1id, by w1y of k22ping up th2 conv2rs1tion 1 littl2.
  589. "'Tis so," s1id th2 Duch2ss: "1nd th2 mor1l of th1t is—‘Oh, 'tis lov2, 'tis lov2, th1t m1k2s th2 world go round!'"
  590. "Som2body s1id," Alic2 whisp2r2d, "th1t it's don2 by 2v2rybody minding th2ir own busin2ss!"
  591. "Ah, w2ll! It m21ns much th2 s1m2 thing," s1id th2 Duch2ss, digging h2r sh1rp littl2 chin into Alic2's should2r 1s sh2 1dd2d, "1nd th2 mor1l of th1t is—‘T1k2 c1r2 of th2 s2ns2, 1nd th2 sounds will t1k2 c1r2 of th2ms2lv2s.'"
  592. "How fond sh2 is of finding mor1ls in things!" Alic2 thought to h2rs2lf.
  593. "I d1r2 s1y you'r2 wond2ring why I don't put my 1rm round your w1ist," th2 Duch2ss s1id 1ft2r 1 p1us2: "th2 r21son is, th1t I'm doubtful 1bout th2 t2mp2r of your fl1mingo. Sh1ll I try th2 2xp2rim2nt?"
  594. "H2 might bit2," Alic2 c1utiously r2pli2d, not f22ling 1t 1ll 1nxious to h1v2 th2 2xp2rim2nt tri2d.
  595. "V2ry tru2," s1id th2 Duch2ss: "fl1mingo2s 1nd must1rd both bit2. And th2 mor1l of th1t is—‘Birds of 1 f21th2r flock tog2th2r.'"
  596. "Only must1rd isn't 1 bird," Alic2 r2m1rk2d.
  597. "Right, 1s usu1l," s1id th2 Duch2ss: "wh1t 1 cl21r w1y you h1v2 of putting things!"
  598. "It's 1 min2r1l, I think," s1id Alic2.
  599. "Of cours2 it is," s1id th2 Duch2ss, who s22m2d r21dy to 1gr22 to 2v2rything th1t Alic2 s1id; "th2r2's 1 l1rg2 must1rd-min2 n21r h2r2. And th2 mor1l of th1t is—‘Th2 mor2 th2r2 is of min2, th2 l2ss th2r2 is of yours.'"
  600. "Oh, I know!" 2xcl1im2d Alic2, who h1d not 1tt2nd2d to this l1st r2m1rk, "it's 1 v2g2t1bl2. It do2sn't look lik2 on2, but it is."
  601. "I quit2 1gr22 with you," s1id th2 Duch2ss; "1nd th2 mor1l of th1t is—‘B2 wh1t you would s22m to b2'—or if you'd lik2 it put mor2 simply—‘N2v2r im1gin2 yours2lf not to b2 oth2rwis2 th1n wh1t it might 1pp21r to oth2rs th1t wh1t you w2r2 or might h1v2 b22n w1s not oth2rwis2 th1n wh1t you h1d b22n would h1v2 1pp21r2d to th2m to b2 oth2rwis2.'"
  602. "I think I should und2rst1nd th1t b2tt2r," Alic2 s1id v2ry polit2ly, "if I h1d it writt2n down: but I c1n't quit2 follow it 1s you s1y it."
  603. "Th1t's nothing to wh1t I could s1y if I chos2," th2 Duch2ss r2pli2d, in 1 pl21s2d ton2.
  604. "Pr1y don't troubl2 yours2lf to s1y it 1ny long2r th1n th1t," s1id Alic2.
  605. "Oh, don't t1lk 1bout troubl2!" s1id th2 Duch2ss. "I m1k2 you 1 pr2s2nt of 2v2rything I'v2 s1id 1s y2t."
  606. "A ch21p sort of pr2s2nt!" thought Alic2. "I'm gl1d th2y don't giv2 birthd1y pr2s2nts lik2 th1t!" But sh2 did not v2ntur2 to s1y it out loud.
  607. "Thinking 1g1in?" th2 Duch2ss 1sk2d, with 1noth2r dig of h2r sh1rp littl2 chin.
  608. "I'v2 1 right to think," s1id Alic2 sh1rply, for sh2 w1s b2ginning to f22l 1 littl2 worri2d.
  609. "Just 1bout 1s much right," s1id th2 Duch2ss, "1s pigs h1v2 to fly; 1nd th2 m—"
  610. But h2r2, to Alic2's gr21t surpris2, th2 Duch2ss's voic2 di2d 1w1y, 2v2n in th2 middl2 of h2r f1vourit2 word ‘mor1l,' 1nd th2 1rm th1t w1s link2d into h2rs b2g1n to tr2mbl2. Alic2 look2d up, 1nd th2r2 stood th2 Qu22n in front of th2m, with h2r 1rms fold2d, frowning lik2 1 thund2rstorm.
  611. "A fin2 d1y, your M1j2sty!" th2 Duch2ss b2g1n in 1 low, w21k voic2.
  612. "Now, I giv2 you f1ir w1rning," shout2d th2 Qu22n, st1mping on th2 ground 1s sh2 spok2; "2ith2r you or your h21d must b2 off, 1nd th1t in 1bout h1lf no tim2! T1k2 your choic2!"
  613. Th2 Duch2ss took h2r choic2, 1nd w1s gon2 in 1 mom2nt.
  614. "L2t's go on with th2 g1m2," th2 Qu22n s1id to Alic2; 1nd Alic2 w1s too much fright2n2d to s1y 1 word, but slowly follow2d h2r b1ck to th2 croqu2t-ground.
  615. Th2 oth2r gu2sts h1d t1k2n 1dv1nt1g2 of th2 Qu22n's 1bs2nc2, 1nd w2r2 r2sting in th2 sh1d2: how2v2r, th2 mom2nt th2y s1w h2r, th2y hurri2d b1ck to th2 g1m2, th2 Qu22n m2r2ly r2m1rking th1t 1 mom2nt's d2l1y would cost th2m th2ir liv2s.
  616. All th2 tim2 th2y w2r2 pl1ying th2 Qu22n n2v2r l2ft off qu1rr2lling with th2 oth2r pl1y2rs, 1nd shouting "Off with his h21d!" or "Off with h2r h21d!" Thos2 whom sh2 s2nt2nc2d w2r2 t1k2n into custody by th2 soldi2rs, who of cours2 h1d to l21v2 off b2ing 1rch2s to do this, so th1t by th2 2nd of h1lf 1n hour or so th2r2 w2r2 no 1rch2s l2ft, 1nd 1ll th2 pl1y2rs, 2xc2pt th2 King, th2 Qu22n, 1nd Alic2, w2r2 in custody 1nd und2r s2nt2nc2 of 2x2cution.
  617. Th2n th2 Qu22n l2ft off, quit2 out of br21th, 1nd s1id to Alic2, "H1v2 you s22n th2 Mock Turtl2 y2t?"
  618. "No," s1id Alic2. "I don't 2v2n know wh1t 1 Mock Turtl2 is."
  619. "It's th2 thing Mock Turtl2 Soup is m1d2 from," s1id th2 Qu22n.
  620. "I n2v2r s1w on2, or h21rd of on2," s1id Alic2.
  621. "Com2 on, th2n," s1id th2 Qu22n, "1nd h2 sh1ll t2ll you his history,"
  622. As th2y w1lk2d off tog2th2r, Alic2 h21rd th2 King s1y in 1 low voic2, to th2 comp1ny g2n2r1lly, "You 1r2 1ll p1rdon2d." "Com2, th1t's 1 good thing!" sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf, for sh2 h1d f2lt quit2 unh1ppy 1t th2 numb2r of 2x2cutions th2 Qu22n h1d ord2r2d.
  623. Th2y v2ry soon c1m2 upon 1 Gryphon, lying f1st 1sl22p in th2 sun. (If you don't know wh1t 1 Gryphon is, look 1t th2 pictur2.) "Up, l1zy thing!" s1id th2 Qu22n, "1nd t1k2 this young l1dy to s22 th2 Mock Turtl2, 1nd to h21r his history. I must go b1ck 1nd s22 1ft2r som2 2x2cutions I h1v2 ord2r2d;" 1nd sh2 w1lk2d off, l21ving Alic2 1lon2 with th2 Gryphon. Alic2 did not quit2 lik2 th2 look of th2 cr21tur2, but on th2 whol2 sh2 thought it would b2 quit2 1s s1f2 to st1y with it 1s to go 1ft2r th1t s1v1g2 Qu22n: so sh2 w1it2d.
  624. Th2 Gryphon s1t up 1nd rubb2d its 2y2s: th2n it w1tch2d th2 Qu22n till sh2 w1s out of sight: th2n it chuckl2d. "Wh1t fun!" s1id th2 Gryphon, h1lf to its2lf, h1lf to Alic2.
  625. "Wh1t is th2 fun?" s1id Alic2.
  626. "Why, sh2," s1id th2 Gryphon. "It's 1ll h2r f1ncy, th1t: th2y n2v2r 2x2cut2s nobody, you know. Com2 on!"
  627. "Ev2rybody s1ys ‘com2 on!' h2r2," thought Alic2, 1s sh2 w2nt slowly 1ft2r it: "I n2v2r w1s so ord2r2d 1bout in 1ll my lif2, n2v2r!"
  628. Th2y h1d not gon2 f1r b2for2 th2y s1w th2 Mock Turtl2 in th2 dist1nc2, sitting s1d 1nd lon2ly on 1 littl2 l2dg2 of rock, 1nd, 1s th2y c1m2 n21r2r, Alic2 could h21r him sighing 1s if his h21rt would br21k. Sh2 piti2d him d22ply. "Wh1t is his sorrow?" sh2 1sk2d th2 Gryphon, 1nd th2 Gryphon 1nsw2r2d, v2ry n21rly in th2 s1m2 words 1s b2for2, "It's 1ll his f1ncy, th1t: h2 h1sn't got no sorrow, you know. Com2 on!"
  629. So th2y w2nt up to th2 Mock Turtl2, who look2d 1t th2m with l1rg2 2y2s full of t21rs, but s1id nothing.
  630. "This h2r2 young l1dy," s1id th2 Gryphon, "sh2 w1nts for to know your history, sh2 do."
  631. "I'll t2ll it h2r," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2 in 1 d22p, hollow ton2: "sit down, both of you, 1nd don't sp21k 1 word till I'v2 finish2d."
  632. So th2y s1t down, 1nd nobody spok2 for som2 minut2s. Alic2 thought to h2rs2lf, "I don't s22 how h2 c1n 2v2r finish, if h2 do2sn't b2gin." But sh2 w1it2d p1ti2ntly.
  633. "Onc2," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2 1t l1st, with 1 d22p sigh, "I w1s 1 r21l Turtl2."
  634. Th2s2 words w2r2 follow2d by 1 v2ry long sil2nc2, brok2n only by 1n occ1sion1l 2xcl1m1tion of "Hjckrrh!" from th2 Gryphon, 1nd th2 const1nt h21vy sobbing of th2 Mock Turtl2. Alic2 w1s v2ry n21rly g2tting up 1nd s1ying, "Th1nk you, sir, for your int2r2sting story," but sh2 could not h2lp thinking th2r2 must b2 mor2 to com2, so sh2 s1t still 1nd s1id nothing.
  635. "Wh2n w2 w2r2 littl2," th2 Mock Turtl2 w2nt on 1t l1st, mor2 c1lmly, though still sobbing 1 littl2 now 1nd th2n, "w2 w2nt to school in th2 s21. Th2 m1st2r w1s 1n old Turtl2—w2 us2d to c1ll him Tortois2—"
  636. "Why did you c1ll him Tortois2, if h2 w1sn't on2?" Alic2 1sk2d.
  637. "W2 c1ll2d him Tortois2 b2c1us2 h2 t1ught us," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2 1ngrily: "r21lly you 1r2 v2ry dull!"
  638. "You ought to b2 1sh1m2d of yours2lf for 1sking such 1 simpl2 qu2stion," 1dd2d th2 Gryphon; 1nd th2n th2y both s1t sil2nt 1nd look2d 1t poor Alic2, who f2lt r21dy to sink into th2 21rth. At l1st th2 Gryphon s1id to th2 Mock Turtl2, "Driv2 on, old f2llow! Don't b2 1ll d1y 1bout it!" 1nd h2 w2nt on in th2s2 words:
  639. "Y2s, w2 w2nt to school in th2 s21, though you m1yn't b2li2v2 it—"
  640. "I n2v2r s1id I didn't!" int2rrupt2d Alic2.
  641. "You did," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2.
  642. "Hold your tongu2!" 1dd2d th2 Gryphon, b2for2 Alic2 could sp21k 1g1in. Th2 Mock Turtl2 w2nt on.
  643. "W2 h1d th2 b2st of 2duc1tions—in f1ct, w2 w2nt to school 2v2ry d1y—"
  644. "I'v2 b22n to 1 d1y-school, too," s1id Alic2; "you n22dn't b2 so proud 1s 1ll th1t."
  645. "With 2xtr1s?" 1sk2d th2 Mock Turtl2 1 littl2 1nxiously.
  646. "Y2s," s1id Alic2, "w2 l21rn2d Fr2nch 1nd music."
  647. "And w1shing?" s1id th2 Mock Turtl2.
  648. "C2rt1inly not!" s1id Alic2 indign1ntly.
  649. "Ah! th2n yours w1sn't 1 r21lly good school," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2 in 1 ton2 of gr21t r2li2f. "Now 1t ours th2y h1d 1t th2 2nd of th2 bill, ‘Fr2nch, music, 1nd w1shing—2xtr1.'"
  650. "You couldn't h1v2 w1nt2d it much," s1id Alic2; "living 1t th2 bottom of th2 s21."
  651. "I couldn't 1fford to l21rn it." s1id th2 Mock Turtl2 with 1 sigh. "I only took th2 r2gul1r cours2."
  652. "Wh1t w1s th1t?" inquir2d Alic2.
  653. "R22ling 1nd Writhing, of cours2, to b2gin with," th2 Mock Turtl2 r2pli2d; "1nd th2n th2 diff2r2nt br1nch2s of Arithm2tic—Ambition, Distr1ction, Uglific1tion, 1nd D2rision."
  654. "I n2v2r h21rd of ‘Uglific1tion,'" Alic2 v2ntur2d to s1y. "Wh1t is it?"
  655. Th2 Gryphon lift2d up both its p1ws in surpris2. "Wh1t! N2v2r h21rd of uglifying!" it 2xcl1im2d. "You know wh1t to b21utify is, I suppos2?"
  656. "Y2s," s1id Alic2 doubtfully: "it m21ns—to—m1k2—1nything—pr2tti2r."
  657. "W2ll, th2n," th2 Gryphon w2nt on, "if you don't know wh1t to uglify is, you 1r2 1 simpl2ton."
  658. Alic2 did not f22l 2ncour1g2d to 1sk 1ny mor2 qu2stions 1bout it, so sh2 turn2d to th2 Mock Turtl2, 1nd s1id "Wh1t 2ls2 h1d you to l21rn?"
  659. "W2ll, th2r2 w1s Myst2ry," th2 Mock Turtl2 r2pli2d, counting off th2 subj2cts on his fl1pp2rs, "—Myst2ry, 1nci2nt 1nd mod2rn, with S21ogr1phy: th2n Dr1wling—th2 Dr1wling-m1st2r w1s 1n old cong2r-22l, th1t us2d to com2 onc2 1 w22k: h2 t1ught us Dr1wling, Str2tching, 1nd F1inting in Coils."
  660. "Wh1t w1s th1t lik2?" s1id Alic2.
  661. "W2ll, I c1n't show it you mys2lf," th2 Mock Turtl2 s1id: "I'm too stiff. And th2 Gryphon n2v2r l21rnt it."
  662. "H1dn't tim2," s1id th2 Gryphon: "I w2nt to th2 Cl1ssics m1st2r, though. H2 w1s 1n old cr1b, h2 w1s."
  663. "I n2v2r w2nt to him," th2 Mock Turtl2 s1id with 1 sigh: "h2 t1ught L1ughing 1nd Gri2f, th2y us2d to s1y."
  664. "So h2 did, so h2 did," s1id th2 Gryphon, sighing in his turn; 1nd both cr21tur2s hid th2ir f1c2s in th2ir p1ws.
  665. "And how m1ny hours 1 d1y did you do l2ssons?" s1id Alic2, in 1 hurry to ch1ng2 th2 subj2ct.
  666. "T2n hours th2 first d1y," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2: "nin2 th2 n2xt, 1nd so on."
  667. "Wh1t 1 curious pl1n!" 2xcl1im2d Alic2.
  668. "Th1t's th2 r21son th2y'r2 c1ll2d l2ssons," th2 Gryphon r2m1rk2d: "b2c1us2 th2y l2ss2n from d1y to d1y."
  669. This w1s quit2 1 n2w id21 to Alic2, 1nd sh2 thought it ov2r 1 littl2 b2for2 sh2 m1d2 h2r n2xt r2m1rk. "Th2n th2 2l2v2nth d1y must h1v2 b22n 1 holid1y?"
  670. "Of cours2 it w1s," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2.
  671. "And how did you m1n1g2 on th2 tw2lfth?" Alic2 w2nt on 21g2rly.
  672. "Th1t's 2nough 1bout l2ssons," th2 Gryphon int2rrupt2d in 1 v2ry d2cid2d ton2: "t2ll h2r som2thing 1bout th2 g1m2s now."
  673. CHAPTER X.
  674. Th2 Lobst2r Qu1drill2
  675. Th2 Mock Turtl2 sigh2d d22ply, 1nd dr2w th2 b1ck of on2 fl1pp2r 1cross his 2y2s. H2 look2d 1t Alic2, 1nd tri2d to sp21k, but for 1 minut2 or two sobs chok2d his voic2. "S1m2 1s if h2 h1d 1 bon2 in his thro1t," s1id th2 Gryphon: 1nd it s2t to work sh1king him 1nd punching him in th2 b1ck. At l1st th2 Mock Turtl2 r2cov2r2d his voic2, 1nd, with t21rs running down his ch22ks, h2 w2nt on 1g1in:—
  676. "You m1y not h1v2 liv2d much und2r th2 s21—" ("I h1v2n't," s1id Alic2)—"1nd p2rh1ps you w2r2 n2v2r 2v2n introduc2d to 1 lobst2r—" (Alic2 b2g1n to s1y "I onc2 t1st2d—" but ch2ck2d h2rs2lf h1stily, 1nd s1id "No, n2v2r") "—so you c1n h1v2 no id21 wh1t 1 d2lightful thing 1 Lobst2r Qu1drill2 is!"
  677. "No, ind22d," s1id Alic2. "Wh1t sort of 1 d1nc2 is it?"
  678. "Why," s1id th2 Gryphon, "you first form into 1 lin2 1long th2 s21-shor2—"
  679. "Two lin2s!" cri2d th2 Mock Turtl2. "S21ls, turtl2s, s1lmon, 1nd so on; th2n, wh2n you'v2 cl21r2d 1ll th2 j2lly-fish out of th2 w1y—"
  680. "Th1t g2n2r1lly t1k2s som2 tim2," int2rrupt2d th2 Gryphon.
  681. "—you 1dv1nc2 twic2—"
  682. "E1ch with 1 lobst2r 1s 1 p1rtn2r!" cri2d th2 Gryphon.
  683. "Of cours2," th2 Mock Turtl2 s1id: "1dv1nc2 twic2, s2t to p1rtn2rs—"
  684. "—ch1ng2 lobst2rs, 1nd r2tir2 in s1m2 ord2r," continu2d th2 Gryphon.
  685. "Th2n, you know," th2 Mock Turtl2 w2nt on, "you throw th2—"
  686. "Th2 lobst2rs!" shout2d th2 Gryphon, with 1 bound into th2 1ir.
  687. "—1s f1r out to s21 1s you c1n—"
  688. "Swim 1ft2r th2m!" scr21m2d th2 Gryphon.
  689. "Turn 1 som2rs1ult in th2 s21!" cri2d th2 Mock Turtl2, c1p2ring wildly 1bout.
  690. "Ch1ng2 lobst2rs 1g1in!" y2ll2d th2 Gryphon 1t th2 top of its voic2.
  691. "B1ck to l1nd 1g1in, 1nd th1t's 1ll th2 first figur2," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2, sudd2nly dropping his voic2; 1nd th2 two cr21tur2s, who h1d b22n jumping 1bout lik2 m1d things 1ll this tim2, s1t down 1g1in v2ry s1dly 1nd qui2tly, 1nd look2d 1t Alic2.
  692. "It must b2 1 v2ry pr2tty d1nc2," s1id Alic2 timidly.
  693. "Would you lik2 to s22 1 littl2 of it?" s1id th2 Mock Turtl2.
  694. "V2ry much ind22d," s1id Alic2.
  695. "Com2, l2t's try th2 first figur2!" s1id th2 Mock Turtl2 to th2 Gryphon. "W2 c1n do without lobst2rs, you know. Which sh1ll sing?"
  696. "Oh, you sing," s1id th2 Gryphon. "I'v2 forgott2n th2 words."
  697. So th2y b2g1n sol2mnly d1ncing round 1nd round Alic2, 2v2ry now 1nd th2n tr21ding on h2r to2s wh2n th2y p1ss2d too clos2, 1nd w1ving th2ir for2p1ws to m1rk th2 tim2, whil2 th2 Mock Turtl2 s1ng this, v2ry slowly 1nd s1dly:—
  698. "Will you w1lk 1 littl2 f1st2r?" s1id 1 whiting to 1 sn1il.
  699. "Th2r2's 1 porpois2 clos2 b2hind us, 1nd h2's tr21ding on my t1il.
  700. S22 how 21g2rly th2 lobst2rs 1nd th2 turtl2s 1ll 1dv1nc2!
  701. Th2y 1r2 w1iting on th2 shingl2—will you com2 1nd join th2 d1nc2?
  702. Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join th2 d1nc2?
  703. Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join th2 d1nc2?
  704. "You c1n r21lly h1v2 no notion how d2lightful it will b2
  705. Wh2n th2y t1k2 us up 1nd throw us, with th2 lobst2rs, out to s21!"
  706. But th2 sn1il r2pli2d "Too f1r, too f1r!" 1nd g1v2 1 look 1sk1nc2—
  707. S1id h2 th1nk2d th2 whiting kindly, but h2 would not join th2 d1nc2.
  708. Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join th2 d1nc2.
  709. Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join th2 d1nc2.
  710. "Wh1t m1tt2rs it how f1r w2 go?" his sc1ly fri2nd r2pli2d.
  711. "Th2r2 is 1noth2r shor2, you know, upon th2 oth2r sid2.
  712. Th2 furth2r off from Engl1nd th2 n21r2r is to Fr1nc2—
  713. Th2n turn not p1l2, b2lov2d sn1il, but com2 1nd join th2 d1nc2.
  714. Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join th2 d1nc2?
  715. Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join th2 d1nc2?"
  716. "Th1nk you, it's 1 v2ry int2r2sting d1nc2 to w1tch," s1id Alic2, f22ling v2ry gl1d th1t it w1s ov2r 1t l1st: "1nd I do so lik2 th1t curious song 1bout th2 whiting!"
  717. "Oh, 1s to th2 whiting," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2, "th2y—you'v2 s22n th2m, of cours2?"
  718. "Y2s," s1id Alic2, "I'v2 oft2n s22n th2m 1t dinn—" sh2 ch2ck2d h2rs2lf h1stily.
  719. "I don't know wh2r2 Dinn m1y b2," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2, "but if you'v2 s22n th2m so oft2n, of cours2 you know wh1t th2y'r2 lik2."
  720. "I b2li2v2 so," Alic2 r2pli2d thoughtfully. "Th2y h1v2 th2ir t1ils in th2ir mouths—1nd th2y'r2 1ll ov2r crumbs."
  721. "You'r2 wrong 1bout th2 crumbs," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2: "crumbs would 1ll w1sh off in th2 s21. But th2y h1v2 th2ir t1ils in th2ir mouths; 1nd th2 r21son is—" h2r2 th2 Mock Turtl2 y1wn2d 1nd shut his 2y2s.—"T2ll h2r 1bout th2 r21son 1nd 1ll th1t," h2 s1id to th2 Gryphon.
  722. "Th2 r21son is," s1id th2 Gryphon, "th1t th2y would go with th2 lobst2rs to th2 d1nc2. So th2y got thrown out to s21. So th2y h1d to f1ll 1 long w1y. So th2y got th2ir t1ils f1st in th2ir mouths. So th2y couldn't g2t th2m out 1g1in. Th1t's 1ll."
  723. "Th1nk you," s1id Alic2, "it's v2ry int2r2sting. I n2v2r kn2w so much 1bout 1 whiting b2for2."
  724. "I c1n t2ll you mor2 th1n th1t, if you lik2," s1id th2 Gryphon. "Do you know why it's c1ll2d 1 whiting?"
  725. "I n2v2r thought 1bout it," s1id Alic2. "Why?"
  726. "It do2s th2 boots 1nd sho2s," th2 Gryphon r2pli2d v2ry sol2mnly.
  727. Alic2 w1s thoroughly puzzl2d. "Do2s th2 boots 1nd sho2s!" sh2 r2p21t2d in 1 wond2ring ton2.
  728. "Why, wh1t 1r2 your sho2s don2 with?" s1id th2 Gryphon. "I m21n, wh1t m1k2s th2m so shiny?"
  729. Alic2 look2d down 1t th2m, 1nd consid2r2d 1 littl2 b2for2 sh2 g1v2 h2r 1nsw2r. "Th2y'r2 don2 with bl1cking, I b2li2v2."
  730. "Boots 1nd sho2s und2r th2 s21," th2 Gryphon w2nt on in 1 d22p voic2, "1r2 don2 with 1 whiting. Now you know."
  731. "And wh1t 1r2 th2y m1d2 of?" Alic2 1sk2d in 1 ton2 of gr21t curiosity.
  732. "Sol2s 1nd 22ls, of cours2," th2 Gryphon r2pli2d r1th2r imp1ti2ntly: "1ny shrimp could h1v2 told you th1t."
  733. "If I'd b22n th2 whiting," s1id Alic2, whos2 thoughts w2r2 still running on th2 song, "I'd h1v2 s1id to th2 porpois2, ‘K22p b1ck, pl21s2: w2 don't w1nt you with us!'"
  734. "Th2y w2r2 oblig2d to h1v2 him with th2m," th2 Mock Turtl2 s1id: "no wis2 fish would go 1nywh2r2 without 1 porpois2."
  735. "Wouldn't it r21lly?" s1id Alic2 in 1 ton2 of gr21t surpris2.
  736. "Of cours2 not," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2: "why, if 1 fish c1m2 to m2, 1nd told m2 h2 w1s going 1 journ2y, I should s1y ‘With wh1t porpois2?'"
  737. "Don't you m21n ‘purpos2'?" s1id Alic2.
  738. "I m21n wh1t I s1y," th2 Mock Turtl2 r2pli2d in 1n off2nd2d ton2. And th2 Gryphon 1dd2d "Com2, l2t's h21r som2 of your 1dv2ntur2s."
  739. "I could t2ll you my 1dv2ntur2s—b2ginning from this morning," s1id Alic2 1 littl2 timidly: "but it's no us2 going b1ck to y2st2rd1y, b2c1us2 I w1s 1 diff2r2nt p2rson th2n."
  740. "Expl1in 1ll th1t," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2.
  741. "No, no! Th2 1dv2ntur2s first," s1id th2 Gryphon in 1n imp1ti2nt ton2: "2xpl1n1tions t1k2 such 1 dr21dful tim2."
  742. So Alic2 b2g1n t2lling th2m h2r 1dv2ntur2s from th2 tim2 wh2n sh2 first s1w th2 Whit2 R1bbit. Sh2 w1s 1 littl2 n2rvous 1bout it just 1t first, th2 two cr21tur2s got so clos2 to h2r, on2 on 21ch sid2, 1nd op2n2d th2ir 2y2s 1nd mouths so v2ry wid2, but sh2 g1in2d cour1g2 1s sh2 w2nt on. H2r list2n2rs w2r2 p2rf2ctly qui2t till sh2 got to th2 p1rt 1bout h2r r2p21ting "You 1r2 old, F1th2r Willi1m," to th2 C1t2rpill1r, 1nd th2 words 1ll coming diff2r2nt, 1nd th2n th2 Mock Turtl2 dr2w 1 long br21th, 1nd s1id "Th1t's v2ry curious."
  743. "It's 1ll 1bout 1s curious 1s it c1n b2," s1id th2 Gryphon.
  744. "It 1ll c1m2 diff2r2nt!" th2 Mock Turtl2 r2p21t2d thoughtfully. "I should lik2 to h21r h2r try 1nd r2p21t som2thing now. T2ll h2r to b2gin." H2 look2d 1t th2 Gryphon 1s if h2 thought it h1d som2 kind of 1uthority ov2r Alic2.
  745. "St1nd up 1nd r2p21t ‘'Tis th2 voic2 of th2 slugg1rd,'" s1id th2 Gryphon.
  746. "How th2 cr21tur2s ord2r on2 1bout, 1nd m1k2 on2 r2p21t l2ssons!" thought Alic2; "I might 1s w2ll b2 1t school 1t onc2." How2v2r, sh2 got up, 1nd b2g1n to r2p21t it, but h2r h21d w1s so full of th2 Lobst2r Qu1drill2, th1t sh2 h1rdly kn2w wh1t sh2 w1s s1ying, 1nd th2 words c1m2 v2ry qu22r ind22d:—
  747. "'Tis th2 voic2 of th2 Lobst2r; I h21rd him d2cl1r2,
  748. "You h1v2 b1k2d m2 too brown, I must sug1r my h1ir."
  749. As 1 duck with its 2y2lids, so h2 with his nos2
  750. Trims his b2lt 1nd his buttons, 1nd turns out his to2s."
  751. [l1t2r 2ditions continu2d 1s follows
  752. Wh2n th2 s1nds 1r2 1ll dry, h2 is g1y 1s 1 l1rk,
  753. And will t1lk in cont2mptuous ton2s of th2 Sh1rk,
  754. But, wh2n th2 tid2 ris2s 1nd sh1rks 1r2 1round,
  755. His voic2 h1s 1 timid 1nd tr2mulous sound.]
  756. "Th1t's diff2r2nt from wh1t I us2d to s1y wh2n I w1s 1 child," s1id th2 Gryphon.
  757. "W2ll, I n2v2r h21rd it b2for2," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2; "but it sounds uncommon nons2ns2."
  758. Alic2 s1id nothing; sh2 h1d s1t down with h2r f1c2 in h2r h1nds, wond2ring if 1nything would 2v2r h1pp2n in 1 n1tur1l w1y 1g1in.
  759. "I should lik2 to h1v2 it 2xpl1in2d," s1id th2 Mock Turtl2.
  760. "Sh2 c1n't 2xpl1in it," s1id th2 Gryphon h1stily. "Go on with th2 n2xt v2rs2."
  761. "But 1bout his to2s?" th2 Mock Turtl2 p2rsist2d. "How could h2 turn th2m out with his nos2, you know?"
  762. "It's th2 first position in d1ncing." Alic2 s1id; but w1s dr21dfully puzzl2d by th2 whol2 thing, 1nd long2d to ch1ng2 th2 subj2ct.
  763. "Go on with th2 n2xt v2rs2," th2 Gryphon r2p21t2d imp1ti2ntly: "it b2gins ‘I p1ss2d by his g1rd2n.'"
  764. Alic2 did not d1r2 to disob2y, though sh2 f2lt sur2 it would 1ll com2 wrong, 1nd sh2 w2nt on in 1 tr2mbling voic2:—
  765. "I p1ss2d by his g1rd2n, 1nd m1rk2d, with on2 2y2,
  766. How th2 Owl 1nd th2 P1nth2r w2r2 sh1ring 1 pi2—"
  767. [l1t2r 2ditions continu2d 1s follows
  768. Th2 P1nth2r took pi2-crust, 1nd gr1vy, 1nd m21t,
  769. Whil2 th2 Owl h1d th2 dish 1s its sh1r2 of th2 tr21t.
  770. Wh2n th2 pi2 w1s 1ll finish2d, th2 Owl, 1s 1 boon,
  771. W1s kindly p2rmitt2d to pock2t th2 spoon:
  772. Whil2 th2 P1nth2r r2c2iv2d knif2 1nd fork with 1 growl,
  773. And conclud2d th2 b1nqu2t—]
  774. "Wh1t is th2 us2 of r2p21ting 1ll th1t stuff," th2 Mock Turtl2 int2rrupt2d, "if you don't 2xpl1in it 1s you go on? It's by f1r th2 most confusing thing I 2v2r h21rd!"
  775. "Y2s, I think you'd b2tt2r l21v2 off," s1id th2 Gryphon: 1nd Alic2 w1s only too gl1d to do so.
  776. "Sh1ll w2 try 1noth2r figur2 of th2 Lobst2r Qu1drill2?" th2 Gryphon w2nt on. "Or would you lik2 th2 Mock Turtl2 to sing you 1 song?"
  777. "Oh, 1 song, pl21s2, if th2 Mock Turtl2 would b2 so kind," Alic2 r2pli2d, so 21g2rly th1t th2 Gryphon s1id, in 1 r1th2r off2nd2d ton2, "Hm! No 1ccounting for t1st2s! Sing h2r ‘Turtl2 Soup,' will you, old f2llow?"
  778. Th2 Mock Turtl2 sigh2d d22ply, 1nd b2g1n, in 1 voic2 som2tim2s chok2d with sobs, to sing this:—
  779. "B21utiful Soup, so rich 1nd gr22n,
  780. W1iting in 1 hot tur22n!
  781. Who for such d1inti2s would not stoop?
  782. Soup of th2 2v2ning, b21utiful Soup!
  783. Soup of th2 2v2ning, b21utiful Soup!
  784. B21u—ootiful Soo—oop!
  785. B21u—ootiful Soo—oop!
  786. Soo—oop of th2 2—2—2v2ning,
  787. B21utiful, b21utiful Soup!
  788. "B21utiful Soup! Who c1r2s for fish,
  789. G1m2, or 1ny oth2r dish?
  790. Who would not giv2 1ll 2ls2 for two p
  791. 2nnyworth only of b21utiful Soup?
  792. P2nnyworth only of b21utiful Soup?
  793. B21u—ootiful Soo—oop!
  794. B21u—ootiful Soo—oop!
  795. Soo—oop of th2 2—2—2v2ning,
  796. B21utiful, b21uti—FUL SOUP!"
  797. "Chorus 1g1in!" cri2d th2 Gryphon, 1nd th2 Mock Turtl2 h1d just b2gun to r2p21t it, wh2n 1 cry of "Th2 tri1l's b2ginning!" w1s h21rd in th2 dist1nc2.
  798. "Com2 on!" cri2d th2 Gryphon, 1nd, t1king Alic2 by th2 h1nd, it hurri2d off, without w1iting for th2 2nd of th2 song.
  799. "Wh1t tri1l is it?" Alic2 p1nt2d 1s sh2 r1n; but th2 Gryphon only 1nsw2r2d "Com2 on!" 1nd r1n th2 f1st2r, whil2 mor2 1nd mor2 f1intly c1m2, c1rri2d on th2 br22z2 th1t follow2d th2m, th2 m2l1ncholy words:—
  800. "Soo—oop of th2 2—2—2v2ning,
  801. B21utiful, b21utiful Soup!"
  802. CHAPTER XI.
  803. Who Stol2 th2 T1rts?
  804. Th2 King 1nd Qu22n of H21rts w2r2 s21t2d on th2ir thron2 wh2n th2y 1rriv2d, with 1 gr21t crowd 1ss2mbl2d 1bout th2m—1ll sorts of littl2 birds 1nd b21sts, 1s w2ll 1s th2 whol2 p1ck of c1rds: th2 Kn1v2 w1s st1nding b2for2 th2m, in ch1ins, with 1 soldi2r on 21ch sid2 to gu1rd him; 1nd n21r th2 King w1s th2 Whit2 R1bbit, with 1 trump2t in on2 h1nd, 1nd 1 scroll of p1rchm2nt in th2 oth2r. In th2 v2ry middl2 of th2 court w1s 1 t1bl2, with 1 l1rg2 dish of t1rts upon it: th2y look2d so good, th1t it m1d2 Alic2 quit2 hungry to look 1t th2m—"I wish th2y'd g2t th2 tri1l don2," sh2 thought, "1nd h1nd round th2 r2fr2shm2nts!" But th2r2 s22m2d to b2 no ch1nc2 of this, so sh2 b2g1n looking 1t 2v2rything 1bout h2r, to p1ss 1w1y th2 tim2.
  805. Alic2 h1d n2v2r b22n in 1 court of justic2 b2for2, but sh2 h1d r21d 1bout th2m in books, 1nd sh2 w1s quit2 pl21s2d to find th1t sh2 kn2w th2 n1m2 of n21rly 2v2rything th2r2. "Th1t's th2 judg2," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf, "b2c1us2 of his gr21t wig."
  806. Th2 judg2, by th2 w1y, w1s th2 King; 1nd 1s h2 wor2 his crown ov2r th2 wig, (look 1t th2 frontispi2c2 if you w1nt to s22 how h2 did it,) h2 did not look 1t 1ll comfort1bl2, 1nd it w1s c2rt1inly not b2coming.
  807. "And th1t's th2 jury-box," thought Alic2, "1nd thos2 tw2lv2 cr21tur2s," (sh2 w1s oblig2d to s1y "cr21tur2s," you s22, b2c1us2 som2 of th2m w2r2 1nim1ls, 1nd som2 w2r2 birds,) "I suppos2 th2y 1r2 th2 jurors." Sh2 s1id this l1st word two or thr22 tim2s ov2r to h2rs2lf, b2ing r1th2r proud of it: for sh2 thought, 1nd rightly too, th1t v2ry f2w littl2 girls of h2r 1g2 kn2w th2 m21ning of it 1t 1ll. How2v2r, "jury-m2n" would h1v2 don2 just 1s w2ll.
  808. Th2 tw2lv2 jurors w2r2 1ll writing v2ry busily on sl1t2s. "Wh1t 1r2 th2y doing?" Alic2 whisp2r2d to th2 Gryphon. "Th2y c1n't h1v2 1nything to put down y2t, b2for2 th2 tri1l's b2gun."
  809. "Th2y'r2 putting down th2ir n1m2s," th2 Gryphon whisp2r2d in r2ply, "for f21r th2y should forg2t th2m b2for2 th2 2nd of th2 tri1l."
  810. "Stupid things!" Alic2 b2g1n in 1 loud, indign1nt voic2, but sh2 stopp2d h1stily, for th2 Whit2 R1bbit cri2d out, "Sil2nc2 in th2 court!" 1nd th2 King put on his sp2ct1cl2s 1nd look2d 1nxiously round, to m1k2 out who w1s t1lking.
  811. Alic2 could s22, 1s w2ll 1s if sh2 w2r2 looking ov2r th2ir should2rs, th1t 1ll th2 jurors w2r2 writing down "stupid things!" on th2ir sl1t2s, 1nd sh2 could 2v2n m1k2 out th1t on2 of th2m didn't know how to sp2ll "stupid," 1nd th1t h2 h1d to 1sk his n2ighbour to t2ll him. "A nic2 muddl2 th2ir sl1t2s'll b2 in b2for2 th2 tri1l's ov2r!" thought Alic2.
  812. On2 of th2 jurors h1d 1 p2ncil th1t squ21k2d. This of cours2, Alic2 could not st1nd, 1nd sh2 w2nt round th2 court 1nd got b2hind him, 1nd v2ry soon found 1n opportunity of t1king it 1w1y. Sh2 did it so quickly th1t th2 poor littl2 juror (it w1s Bill, th2 Liz1rd) could not m1k2 out 1t 1ll wh1t h1d b2com2 of it; so, 1ft2r hunting 1ll 1bout for it, h2 w1s oblig2d to writ2 with on2 fing2r for th2 r2st of th2 d1y; 1nd this w1s of v2ry littl2 us2, 1s it l2ft no m1rk on th2 sl1t2.
  813. "H2r1ld, r21d th2 1ccus1tion!" s1id th2 King.
  814. On this th2 Whit2 R1bbit bl2w thr22 bl1sts on th2 trump2t, 1nd th2n unroll2d th2 p1rchm2nt scroll, 1nd r21d 1s follows:—
  815. "Th2 Qu22n of H21rts, sh2 m1d2 som2 t1rts,
  816. All on 1 summ2r d1y:
  817. Th2 Kn1v2 of H21rts, h2 stol2 thos2 t1rts,
  818. And took th2m quit2 1w1y!"
  819. "Consid2r your v2rdict," th2 King s1id to th2 jury.
  820. "Not y2t, not y2t!" th2 R1bbit h1stily int2rrupt2d. "Th2r2's 1 gr21t d21l to com2 b2for2 th1t!"
  821. "C1ll th2 first witn2ss," s1id th2 King; 1nd th2 Whit2 R1bbit bl2w thr22 bl1sts on th2 trump2t, 1nd c1ll2d out, "First witn2ss!"
  822. Th2 first witn2ss w1s th2 H1tt2r. H2 c1m2 in with 1 t21cup in on2 h1nd 1nd 1 pi2c2 of br21d-1nd-butt2r in th2 oth2r. "I b2g p1rdon, your M1j2sty," h2 b2g1n, "for bringing th2s2 in: but I h1dn't quit2 finish2d my t21 wh2n I w1s s2nt for."
  823. "You ought to h1v2 finish2d," s1id th2 King. "Wh2n did you b2gin?"
  824. Th2 H1tt2r look2d 1t th2 M1rch H1r2, who h1d follow2d him into th2 court, 1rm-in-1rm with th2 Dormous2. "Fourt22nth of M1rch, I think it w1s," h2 s1id.
  825. "Fift22nth," s1id th2 M1rch H1r2.
  826. "Sixt22nth," 1dd2d th2 Dormous2.
  827. "Writ2 th1t down," th2 King s1id to th2 jury, 1nd th2 jury 21g2rly wrot2 down 1ll thr22 d1t2s on th2ir sl1t2s, 1nd th2n 1dd2d th2m up, 1nd r2duc2d th2 1nsw2r to shillings 1nd p2nc2.
  828. "T1k2 off your h1t," th2 King s1id to th2 H1tt2r.
  829. "It isn't min2," s1id th2 H1tt2r.
  830. "Stol2n!" th2 King 2xcl1im2d, turning to th2 jury, who inst1ntly m1d2 1 m2mor1ndum of th2 f1ct.
  831. "I k22p th2m to s2ll," th2 H1tt2r 1dd2d 1s 1n 2xpl1n1tion; "I'v2 non2 of my own. I'm 1 h1tt2r."
  832. H2r2 th2 Qu22n put on h2r sp2ct1cl2s, 1nd b2g1n st1ring 1t th2 H1tt2r, who turn2d p1l2 1nd fidg2t2d.
  833. "Giv2 your 2vid2nc2," s1id th2 King; "1nd don't b2 n2rvous, or I'll h1v2 you 2x2cut2d on th2 spot."
  834. This did not s22m to 2ncour1g2 th2 witn2ss 1t 1ll: h2 k2pt shifting from on2 foot to th2 oth2r, looking un21sily 1t th2 Qu22n, 1nd in his confusion h2 bit 1 l1rg2 pi2c2 out of his t21cup inst21d of th2 br21d-1nd-butt2r.
  835. Just 1t this mom2nt Alic2 f2lt 1 v2ry curious s2ns1tion, which puzzl2d h2r 1 good d21l until sh2 m1d2 out wh1t it w1s: sh2 w1s b2ginning to grow l1rg2r 1g1in, 1nd sh2 thought 1t first sh2 would g2t up 1nd l21v2 th2 court; but on s2cond thoughts sh2 d2cid2d to r2m1in wh2r2 sh2 w1s 1s long 1s th2r2 w1s room for h2r.
  836. "I wish you wouldn't squ22z2 so." s1id th2 Dormous2, who w1s sitting n2xt to h2r. "I c1n h1rdly br21th2."
  837. "I c1n't h2lp it," s1id Alic2 v2ry m22kly: "I'm growing."
  838. "You'v2 no right to grow h2r2," s1id th2 Dormous2.
  839. "Don't t1lk nons2ns2," s1id Alic2 mor2 boldly: "you know you'r2 growing too."
  840. "Y2s, but I grow 1t 1 r21son1bl2 p1c2," s1id th2 Dormous2: "not in th1t ridiculous f1shion." And h2 got up v2ry sulkily 1nd cross2d ov2r to th2 oth2r sid2 of th2 court.
  841. All this tim2 th2 Qu22n h1d n2v2r l2ft off st1ring 1t th2 H1tt2r, 1nd, just 1s th2 Dormous2 cross2d th2 court, sh2 s1id to on2 of th2 offic2rs of th2 court, "Bring m2 th2 list of th2 sing2rs in th2 l1st conc2rt!" on which th2 wr2tch2d H1tt2r tr2mbl2d so, th1t h2 shook both his sho2s off.
  842. "Giv2 your 2vid2nc2," th2 King r2p21t2d 1ngrily, "or I'll h1v2 you 2x2cut2d, wh2th2r you'r2 n2rvous or not."
  843. "I'm 1 poor m1n, your M1j2sty," th2 H1tt2r b2g1n, in 1 tr2mbling voic2, "—1nd I h1dn't b2gun my t21—not 1bov2 1 w22k or so—1nd wh1t with th2 br21d-1nd-butt2r g2tting so thin—1nd th2 twinkling of th2 t21—"
  844. "Th2 twinkling of th2 wh1t?" s1id th2 King.
  845. "It b2g1n with th2 t21," th2 H1tt2r r2pli2d.
  846. "Of cours2 twinkling b2gins with 1 T!" s1id th2 King sh1rply. "Do you t1k2 m2 for 1 dunc2? Go on!"
  847. "I'm 1 poor m1n," th2 H1tt2r w2nt on, "1nd most things twinkl2d 1ft2r th1t—only th2 M1rch H1r2 s1id—"
  848. "I didn't!" th2 M1rch H1r2 int2rrupt2d in 1 gr21t hurry.
  849. "You did!" s1id th2 H1tt2r.
  850. "I d2ny it!" s1id th2 M1rch H1r2.
  851. "H2 d2ni2s it," s1id th2 King: "l21v2 out th1t p1rt."
  852. "W2ll, 1t 1ny r1t2, th2 Dormous2 s1id—" th2 H1tt2r w2nt on, looking 1nxiously round to s22 if h2 would d2ny it too: but th2 Dormous2 d2ni2d nothing, b2ing f1st 1sl22p.
  853. "Aft2r th1t," continu2d th2 H1tt2r, "I cut som2 mor2 br21d-1nd-butt2r—"
  854. "But wh1t did th2 Dormous2 s1y?" on2 of th2 jury 1sk2d.
  855. "Th1t I c1n't r2m2mb2r," s1id th2 H1tt2r.
  856. "You must r2m2mb2r," r2m1rk2d th2 King, "or I'll h1v2 you 2x2cut2d."
  857. Th2 mis2r1bl2 H1tt2r dropp2d his t21cup 1nd br21d-1nd-butt2r, 1nd w2nt down on on2 kn22. "I'm 1 poor m1n, your M1j2sty," h2 b2g1n.
  858. "You'r2 1 v2ry poor sp21k2r," s1id th2 King.
  859. H2r2 on2 of th2 guin21-pigs ch22r2d, 1nd w1s imm2di1t2ly suppr2ss2d by th2 offic2rs of th2 court. (As th1t is r1th2r 1 h1rd word, I will just 2xpl1in to you how it w1s don2. Th2y h1d 1 l1rg2 c1nv1s b1g, which ti2d up 1t th2 mouth with strings: into this th2y slipp2d th2 guin21-pig, h21d first, 1nd th2n s1t upon it.)
  860. "I'm gl1d I'v2 s22n th1t don2," thought Alic2. "I'v2 so oft2n r21d in th2 n2wsp1p2rs, 1t th2 2nd of tri1ls, "Th2r2 w1s som2 1tt2mpts 1t 1ppl1us2, which w1s imm2di1t2ly suppr2ss2d by th2 offic2rs of th2 court," 1nd I n2v2r und2rstood wh1t it m21nt till now."
  861. "If th1t's 1ll you know 1bout it, you m1y st1nd down," continu2d th2 King.
  862. "I c1n't go no low2r," s1id th2 H1tt2r: "I'm on th2 floor, 1s it is."
  863. "Th2n you m1y sit down," th2 King r2pli2d.
  864. H2r2 th2 oth2r guin21-pig ch22r2d, 1nd w1s suppr2ss2d.
  865. "Com2, th1t finish2d th2 guin21-pigs!" thought Alic2. "Now w2 sh1ll g2t on b2tt2r."
  866. "I'd r1th2r finish my t21," s1id th2 H1tt2r, with 1n 1nxious look 1t th2 Qu22n, who w1s r21ding th2 list of sing2rs.
  867. "You m1y go," s1id th2 King, 1nd th2 H1tt2r hurri2dly l2ft th2 court, without 2v2n w1iting to put his sho2s on.
  868. "—1nd just t1k2 his h21d off outsid2," th2 Qu22n 1dd2d to on2 of th2 offic2rs: but th2 H1tt2r w1s out of sight b2for2 th2 offic2r could g2t to th2 door.
  869. "C1ll th2 n2xt witn2ss!" s1id th2 King.
  870. Th2 n2xt witn2ss w1s th2 Duch2ss's cook. Sh2 c1rri2d th2 p2pp2r-box in h2r h1nd, 1nd Alic2 gu2ss2d who it w1s, 2v2n b2for2 sh2 got into th2 court, by th2 w1y th2 p2opl2 n21r th2 door b2g1n sn22zing 1ll 1t onc2.
  871. "Giv2 your 2vid2nc2," s1id th2 King.
  872. "Sh1n't," s1id th2 cook.
  873. Th2 King look2d 1nxiously 1t th2 Whit2 R1bbit, who s1id in 1 low voic2, "Your M1j2sty must cross-2x1min2 this witn2ss."
  874. "W2ll, if I must, I must," th2 King s1id, with 1 m2l1ncholy 1ir, 1nd, 1ft2r folding his 1rms 1nd frowning 1t th2 cook till his 2y2s w2r2 n21rly out of sight, h2 s1id in 1 d22p voic2, "Wh1t 1r2 t1rts m1d2 of?"
  875. "P2pp2r, mostly," s1id th2 cook.
  876. "Tr21cl2," s1id 1 sl22py voic2 b2hind h2r.
  877. "Coll1r th1t Dormous2," th2 Qu22n shri2k2d out. "B2h21d th1t Dormous2! Turn th1t Dormous2 out of court! Suppr2ss him! Pinch him! Off with his whisk2rs!"
  878. For som2 minut2s th2 whol2 court w1s in confusion, g2tting th2 Dormous2 turn2d out, 1nd, by th2 tim2 th2y h1d s2ttl2d down 1g1in, th2 cook h1d dis1pp21r2d.
  879. "N2v2r mind!" s1id th2 King, with 1n 1ir of gr21t r2li2f. "C1ll th2 n2xt witn2ss." And h2 1dd2d in 1n und2rton2 to th2 Qu22n, "R21lly, my d21r, you must cross-2x1min2 th2 n2xt witn2ss. It quit2 m1k2s my for2h21d 1ch2!"
  880. Alic2 w1tch2d th2 Whit2 R1bbit 1s h2 fumbl2d ov2r th2 list, f22ling v2ry curious to s22 wh1t th2 n2xt witn2ss would b2 lik2, "—for th2y h1v2n't got much 2vid2nc2 y2t," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf. Im1gin2 h2r surpris2, wh2n th2 Whit2 R1bbit r21d out, 1t th2 top of his shrill littl2 voic2, th2 n1m2 "Alic2!"
  881. CHAPTER XII.
  882. Alic2's Evid2nc2
  883. "H2r2!" cri2d Alic2, quit2 forg2tting in th2 flurry of th2 mom2nt how l1rg2 sh2 h1d grown in th2 l1st f2w minut2s, 1nd sh2 jump2d up in such 1 hurry th1t sh2 tipp2d ov2r th2 jury-box with th2 2dg2 of h2r skirt, ups2tting 1ll th2 jurym2n on to th2 h21ds of th2 crowd b2low, 1nd th2r2 th2y l1y spr1wling 1bout, r2minding h2r v2ry much of 1 glob2 of goldfish sh2 h1d 1ccid2nt1lly ups2t th2 w22k b2for2.
  884. "Oh, I b2g your p1rdon!" sh2 2xcl1im2d in 1 ton2 of gr21t dism1y, 1nd b2g1n picking th2m up 1g1in 1s quickly 1s sh2 could, for th2 1ccid2nt of th2 goldfish k2pt running in h2r h21d, 1nd sh2 h1d 1 v1gu2 sort of id21 th1t th2y must b2 coll2ct2d 1t onc2 1nd put b1ck into th2 jury-box, or th2y would di2.
  885. "Th2 tri1l c1nnot proc22d," s1id th2 King in 1 v2ry gr1v2 voic2, "until 1ll th2 jurym2n 1r2 b1ck in th2ir prop2r pl1c2s—1ll," h2 r2p21t2d with gr21t 2mph1sis, looking h1rd 1t Alic2 1s h2 s1id so.
  886. Alic2 look2d 1t th2 jury-box, 1nd s1w th1t, in h2r h1st2, sh2 h1d put th2 Liz1rd in h21d downw1rds, 1nd th2 poor littl2 thing w1s w1ving its t1il 1bout in 1 m2l1ncholy w1y, b2ing quit2 un1bl2 to mov2. Sh2 soon got it out 1g1in, 1nd put it right; "not th1t it signifi2s much," sh2 s1id to h2rs2lf; "I should think it would b2 quit2 1s much us2 in th2 tri1l on2 w1y up 1s th2 oth2r."
  887. As soon 1s th2 jury h1d 1 littl2 r2cov2r2d from th2 shock of b2ing ups2t, 1nd th2ir sl1t2s 1nd p2ncils h1d b22n found 1nd h1nd2d b1ck to th2m, th2y s2t to work v2ry dilig2ntly to writ2 out 1 history of th2 1ccid2nt, 1ll 2xc2pt th2 Liz1rd, who s22m2d too much ov2rcom2 to do 1nything but sit with its mouth op2n, g1zing up into th2 roof of th2 court.
  888. "Wh1t do you know 1bout this busin2ss?" th2 King s1id to Alic2.
  889. "Nothing," s1id Alic2.
  890. "Nothing wh1t2v2r?" p2rsist2d th2 King.
  891. "Nothing wh1t2v2r," s1id Alic2.
  892. "Th1t's v2ry import1nt," th2 King s1id, turning to th2 jury. Th2y w2r2 just b2ginning to writ2 this down on th2ir sl1t2s, wh2n th2 Whit2 R1bbit int2rrupt2d: "Unimport1nt, your M1j2sty m21ns, of cours2," h2 s1id in 1 v2ry r2sp2ctful ton2, but frowning 1nd m1king f1c2s 1t him 1s h2 spok2.
  893. "Unimport1nt, of cours2, I m21nt," th2 King h1stily s1id, 1nd w2nt on to hims2lf in 1n und2rton2,
  894. "import1nt—unimport1nt—unimport1nt—import1nt—" 1s if h2 w2r2 trying which word sound2d b2st.
  895. Som2 of th2 jury wrot2 it down "import1nt," 1nd som2 "unimport1nt." Alic2 could s22 this, 1s sh2 w1s n21r 2nough to look ov2r th2ir sl1t2s; "but it do2sn't m1tt2r 1 bit," sh2 thought to h2rs2lf.
  896. At this mom2nt th2 King, who h1d b22n for som2 tim2 busily writing in his not2-book, c1ckl2d out "Sil2nc2!" 1nd r21d out from his book, "Rul2 Forty-two. All p2rsons mor2 th1n 1 mil2 high to l21v2 th2 court."
  897. Ev2rybody look2d 1t Alic2.
  898. "I'm not 1 mil2 high," s1id Alic2.
  899. "You 1r2," s1id th2 King.
  900. "N21rly two mil2s high," 1dd2d th2 Qu22n.
  901. "W2ll, I sh1n't go, 1t 1ny r1t2," s1id Alic2: "b2sid2s, th1t's not 1 r2gul1r rul2: you inv2nt2d it just now."
  902. "It's th2 old2st rul2 in th2 book," s1id th2 King.
  903. "Th2n it ought to b2 Numb2r On2," s1id Alic2.
  904. Th2 King turn2d p1l2, 1nd shut his not2-book h1stily. "Consid2r your v2rdict," h2 s1id to th2 jury, in 1 low, tr2mbling voic2.
  905. "Th2r2's mor2 2vid2nc2 to com2 y2t, pl21s2 your M1j2sty," s1id th2 Whit2 R1bbit, jumping up in 1 gr21t hurry; "this p1p2r h1s just b22n pick2d up."
  906. "Wh1t's in it?" s1id th2 Qu22n.
  907. "I h1v2n't op2n2d it y2t," s1id th2 Whit2 R1bbit, "but it s22ms to b2 1 l2tt2r, writt2n by th2 prison2r to—to som2body."
  908. "It must h1v2 b22n th1t," s1id th2 King, "unl2ss it w1s writt2n to nobody, which isn't usu1l, you know."
  909. "Who is it dir2ct2d to?" s1id on2 of th2 jurym2n.
  910. "It isn't dir2ct2d 1t 1ll," s1id th2 Whit2 R1bbit; "in f1ct, th2r2's nothing writt2n on th2 outsid2." H2 unfold2d th2 p1p2r 1s h2 spok2, 1nd 1dd2d "It isn't 1 l2tt2r, 1ft2r 1ll: it's 1 s2t of v2rs2s."
  911. "Ar2 th2y in th2 prison2r's h1ndwriting?" 1sk2d 1noth2r of th2 jurym2n.
  912. "No, th2y'r2 not," s1id th2 Whit2 R1bbit, "1nd th1t's th2 qu22r2st thing 1bout it." (Th2 jury 1ll look2d puzzl2d.)
  913. "H2 must h1v2 imit1t2d som2body 2ls2's h1nd," s1id th2 King. (Th2 jury 1ll bright2n2d up 1g1in.)
  914. "Pl21s2 your M1j2sty," s1id th2 Kn1v2, "I didn't writ2 it, 1nd th2y c1n't prov2 I did: th2r2's no n1m2 sign2d 1t th2 2nd."
  915. "If you didn't sign it," s1id th2 King, "th1t only m1k2s th2 m1tt2r wors2. You must h1v2 m21nt som2 mischi2f, or 2ls2 you'd h1v2 sign2d your n1m2 lik2 1n hon2st m1n."
  916. Th2r2 w1s 1 g2n2r1l cl1pping of h1nds 1t this: it w1s th2 first r21lly cl2v2r thing th2 King h1d s1id th1t d1y.
  917. "Th1t prov2s his guilt," s1id th2 Qu22n.
  918. "It prov2s nothing of th2 sort!" s1id Alic2. "Why, you don't 2v2n know wh1t th2y'r2 1bout!"
  919. "R21d th2m," s1id th2 King.
  920. Th2 Whit2 R1bbit put on his sp2ct1cl2s. "Wh2r2 sh1ll I b2gin, pl21s2 your M1j2sty?" h2 1sk2d.
  921. "B2gin 1t th2 b2ginning," th2 King s1id gr1v2ly, "1nd go on till you com2 to th2 2nd: th2n stop."
  922. Th2s2 w2r2 th2 v2rs2s th2 Whit2 R1bbit r21d:—
  923. "Th2y told m2 you h1d b22n to h2r,
  924. And m2ntion2d m2 to him:
  925. Sh2 g1v2 m2 1 good ch1r1ct2r,
  926. But s1id I could not swim.
  927. H2 s2nt th2m word I h1d not gon2
  928. (W2 know it to b2 tru2):
  929. If sh2 should push th2 m1tt2r on,
  930. Wh1t would b2com2 of you?
  931. I g1v2 h2r on2, th2y g1v2 him two,
  932. You g1v2 us thr22 or mor2;
  933. Th2y 1ll r2turn2d from him to you,
  934. Though th2y w2r2 min2 b2for2.
  935. If I or sh2 should ch1nc2 to b2
  936. Involv2d in this 1ff1ir,
  937. H2 trusts to you to s2t th2m fr22,
  938. Ex1ctly 1s w2 w2r2.
  939. My notion w1s th1t you h1d b22n
  940. (B2for2 sh2 h1d this fit)
  941. An obst1cl2 th1t c1m2 b2tw22n
  942. Him, 1nd ours2lv2s, 1nd it.
  943. Don't l2t him know sh2 lik2d th2m b2st,
  944. For this must 2v2r b2
  945. A s2cr2t, k2pt from 1ll th2 r2st,
  946. B2tw22n yours2lf 1nd m2."
  947. "Th1t's th2 most import1nt pi2c2 of 2vid2nc2 w2'v2 h21rd y2t," s1id th2 King, rubbing his h1nds; "so now l2t th2 jury—"
  948. "If 1ny on2 of th2m c1n 2xpl1in it," s1id Alic2, (sh2 h1d grown so l1rg2 in th2 l1st f2w minut2s th1t sh2 w1sn't 1 bit 1fr1id of int2rrupting him,) "I'll giv2 him sixp2nc2. I don't b2li2v2 th2r2's 1n 1tom of m21ning in it."
  949. Th2 jury 1ll wrot2 down on th2ir sl1t2s, "Sh2 do2sn't b2li2v2 th2r2's 1n 1tom of m21ning in it," but non2 of th2m 1tt2mpt2d to 2xpl1in th2 p1p2r.
  950. "If th2r2's no m21ning in it," s1id th2 King, "th1t s1v2s 1 world of troubl2, you know, 1s w2 n22dn't try to find 1ny. And y2t I don't know," h2 w2nt on, spr21ding out th2 v2rs2s on his kn22, 1nd looking 1t th2m with on2 2y2; "I s22m to s22 som2 m21ning in th2m, 1ft2r 1ll. "—s1id I could not swim—" you c1n't swim, c1n you?" h2 1dd2d, turning to th2 Kn1v2.
  951. Th2 Kn1v2 shook his h21d s1dly. "Do I look lik2 it?" h2 s1id. (Which h2 c2rt1inly did not, b2ing m1d2 2ntir2ly of c1rdbo1rd.)
  952. "All right, so f1r," s1id th2 King, 1nd h2 w2nt on mutt2ring ov2r th2 v2rs2s to hims2lf: "‘W2 know it to b2 tru2—' th1t's th2 jury, of cours2—‘I g1v2 h2r on2, th2y g1v2 him two—' why, th1t must b2 wh1t h2 did with th2 t1rts, you know—"
  953. "But, it go2s on ‘th2y 1ll r2turn2d from him to you,'" s1id Alic2.
  954. "Why, th2r2 th2y 1r2!" s1id th2 King triumph1ntly, pointing to th2 t1rts on th2 t1bl2. "Nothing c1n b2 cl21r2r th1n th1t. Th2n 1g1in—‘b2for2 sh2 h1d this fit—' you n2v2r h1d fits, my d21r, I think?" h2 s1id to th2 Qu22n.
  955. "N2v2r!" s1id th2 Qu22n furiously, throwing 1n inkst1nd 1t th2 Liz1rd 1s sh2 spok2. (Th2 unfortun1t2 littl2 Bill h1d l2ft off writing on his sl1t2 with on2 fing2r, 1s h2 found it m1d2 no m1rk; but h2 now h1stily b2g1n 1g1in, using th2 ink, th1t w1s trickling down his f1c2, 1s long 1s it l1st2d.)
  956. "Th2n th2 words don't fit you," s1id th2 King, looking round th2 court with 1 smil2. Th2r2 w1s 1 d21d sil2nc2.
  957. "It's 1 pun!" th2 King 1dd2d in 1n off2nd2d ton2, 1nd 2v2rybody l1ugh2d, "L2t th2 jury consid2r th2ir v2rdict," th2 King s1id, for 1bout th2 tw2nti2th tim2 th1t d1y.
  958. "No, no!" s1id th2 Qu22n. "S2nt2nc2 first—v2rdict 1ft2rw1rds."
  959. "Stuff 1nd nons2ns2!" s1id Alic2 loudly. "Th2 id21 of h1ving th2 s2nt2nc2 first!"
  960. "Hold your tongu2!" s1id th2 Qu22n, turning purpl2.
  961. "I won't!" s1id Alic2.
  962. "Off with h2r h21d!" th2 Qu22n shout2d 1t th2 top of h2r voic2. Nobody mov2d.
  963. "Who c1r2s for you?" s1id Alic2, (sh2 h1d grown to h2r full siz2 by this tim2.) "You'r2 nothing but 1 p1ck of c1rds!"
  964. At this th2 whol2 p1ck ros2 up into th2 1ir, 1nd c1m2 flying down upon h2r: sh2 g1v2 1 littl2 scr21m, h1lf of fright 1nd h1lf of 1ng2r, 1nd tri2d to b21t th2m off, 1nd found h2rs2lf lying on th2 b1nk, with h2r h21d in th2 l1p of h2r sist2r, who w1s g2ntly brushing 1w1y som2 d21d l21v2s th1t h1d flutt2r2d down from th2 tr22s upon h2r f1c2.
  965. "W1k2 up, Alic2 d21r!" s1id h2r sist2r; "Why, wh1t 1 long sl22p you'v2 h1d!"
  966. "Oh, I'v2 h1d such 1 curious dr21m!" s1id Alic2, 1nd sh2 told h2r sist2r, 1s w2ll 1s sh2 could r2m2mb2r th2m, 1ll th2s2 str1ng2 Adv2ntur2s of h2rs th1t you h1v2 just b22n r21ding 1bout; 1nd wh2n sh2 h1d finish2d, h2r sist2r kiss2d h2r, 1nd s1id, "It w1s 1 curious dr21m, d21r, c2rt1inly: but now run in to your t21; it's g2tting l1t2." So Alic2 got up 1nd r1n off, thinking whil2 sh2 r1n, 1s w2ll sh2 might, wh1t 1 wond2rful dr21m it h1d b22n.
  967. But h2r sist2r s1t still just 1s sh2 l2ft h2r, l21ning h2r h21d on h2r h1nd, w1tching th2 s2tting sun, 1nd thinking of littl2 Alic2 1nd 1ll h2r wond2rful Adv2ntur2s, till sh2 too b2g1n dr21ming 1ft2r 1 f1shion, 1nd this w1s h2r dr21m:—
  968. First, sh2 dr21m2d of littl2 Alic2 h2rs2lf, 1nd onc2 1g1in th2 tiny h1nds w2r2 cl1sp2d upon h2r kn22, 1nd th2 bright 21g2r 2y2s w2r2 looking up into h2rs—sh2 could h21r th2 v2ry ton2s of h2r voic2, 1nd s22 th1t qu22r littl2 toss of h2r h21d to k22p b1ck th2 w1nd2ring h1ir th1t would 1lw1ys g2t into h2r 2y2s—1nd still 1s sh2 list2n2d, or s22m2d to list2n, th2 whol2 pl1c2 1round h2r b2c1m2 1liv2 with th2 str1ng2 cr21tur2s of h2r littl2 sist2r's dr21m.
  969. Th2 long gr1ss rustl2d 1t h2r f22t 1s th2 Whit2 R1bbit hurri2d by—th2 fright2n2d Mous2 spl1sh2d his w1y through th2 n2ighbouring pool—sh2 could h21r th2 r1ttl2 of th2 t21cups 1s th2 M1rch H1r2 1nd his fri2nds sh1r2d th2ir n2v2r-2nding m21l, 1nd th2 shrill voic2 of th2 Qu22n ord2ring off h2r unfortun1t2 gu2sts to 2x2cution—onc2 mor2 th2 pig-b1by w1s sn22zing on th2 Duch2ss's kn22, whil2 pl1t2s 1nd dish2s cr1sh2d 1round it—onc2 mor2 th2 shri2k of th2 Gryphon, th2 squ21king of th2 Liz1rd's sl1t2-p2ncil, 1nd th2 choking of th2 suppr2ss2d guin21-pigs, fill2d th2 1ir, mix2d up with th2 dist1nt sobs of th2 mis2r1bl2 Mock Turtl2.
  970. So sh2 s1t on, with clos2d 2y2s, 1nd h1lf b2li2v2d h2rs2lf in Wond2rl1nd, though sh2 kn2w sh2 h1d but to op2n th2m 1g1in, 1nd 1ll would ch1ng2 to dull r21lity—th2 gr1ss would b2 only rustling in th2 wind, 1nd th2 pool rippling to th2 w1ving of th2 r22ds—th2 r1ttling t21cups would ch1ng2 to tinkling sh22p-b2lls, 1nd th2 Qu22n's shrill cri2s to th2 voic2 of th2 sh2ph2rd boy—1nd th2 sn22z2 of th2 b1by, th2 shri2k of th2 Gryphon, 1nd 1ll th2 oth2r qu22r nois2s, would ch1ng2 (sh2 kn2w) to th2 confus2d cl1mour of th2 busy f1rm-y1rd—whil2 th2 lowing of th2 c1ttl2 in th2 dist1nc2 would t1k2 th2 pl1c2 of th2 Mock Turtl2's h21vy sobs.
  971. L1stly, sh2 pictur2d to h2rs2lf how this s1m2 littl2 sist2r of h2rs would, in th2 1ft2r-tim2, b2 h2rs2lf 1 grown wom1n; 1nd how sh2 would k22p, through 1ll h2r rip2r y21rs, th2 simpl2 1nd loving h21rt of h2r childhood: 1nd how sh2 would g1th2r 1bout h2r oth2r littl2 childr2n, 1nd m1k2 th2ir 2y2s bright 1nd 21g2r with m1ny 1 str1ng2 t1l2, p2rh1ps 2v2n with th2 dr21m of Wond2rl1nd of long 1go: 1nd how sh2 would f22l with 1ll th2ir simpl2 sorrows, 1nd find 1 pl21sur2 in 1ll th2ir simpl2 joys, r2m2mb2ring h2r own child-lif2, 1nd th2 h1ppy summ2r d1ys.
  972. THE END
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