Alice in Wonderland (42)

Alice in Wonderland (42)

" You shan't be beheaded ! " said Alice, and she put them into a large flower-pot that stood near before the soldier could catch them.

Then she caught up with the procession.

The soldiers wondered about for a minute or two, and then quietly merched off after the others.

" Are their heads off ? " shouted the Queen.

" Their heads are gone, if it please your Majesty ! " the soldiers shouted in reply.

" That's right, " shouted the Queen.
" Can you play croquet ? "

The soldier were silent, and looked at Alice, as the question was evidently meant for her.

" Yes," shouted Alice.

" Come on, them ! " roared the Queen.

Alice joined the procession, wondering very much what would happen next.

" It'sーit's very fine day ! " said the timid voice at her side.

She was walking by the White Rabbit , who was peeping anxiously into her face.

" Very, " said Alice: " ーwhere's the Duchess ? "

" Hush ! Hush ! " said the Rabbit in a low, hurried voice.

He looked anxiously over his shoulder as he spoke, and then raised himself upon tiptoe, put his mouth close to her ear, and whispered, " She's under sentence of execution. "

" What for ? " said Alice.

" She boxed the Queen's earsー " the Rabbit began.

Alicce gave a little scream of laughter.

The Rabbit whispered in a frightened tone, "Oh ! Hush! The Queen will hear you ! You see, she came rather late, and the Queen saidー"

" Get to your place ! " shouted the Queen in a voice like thunder and people began running about in all direction, tumbling up against each other.

(42/50)