Alice in Wonderland (58)

Alice in Wonderland (58)

All this time the Queen had never left off staring the Hatter,and, just as the Dormouse crossed the court, she said to one of the officers of the court,
" Bring me the list of the singers in the last concert ! "

The poor Hatter trembled so much that he shook both his shoes off.



" Give your evidence, " the King repeated angrily, " or I'll have you executed whether you're nervous or not. "

" I'm a poor man, your Majesty, the Hatter began, in a trembling voice.
" And I hadn't begun my teaーnot above a week or soーand what with the bread-and butter getting so thinーand the twinkling of the teaー "

" The twinkling of the what ?" said the King.

"It began with a tea, " the Hatter replied.

" Of course twinkling begins with a T ! " said the King sharply, "Do you take me for a dunce ? Go on ! "

"I'm a poor man, " The Hatter went on, "and most things twinkled after thatーonly the March Hare saidー"

"I didn't , " the March Hare interrupted in a great hurry.

" You did !, " said the Hatter.

" I deny it ! " said the March Hare.

" He denies it, " said the King, " leave out that part. "

" I'm a poor man, your Majesty, " continued the Hatter miserably, " after that, I cut some more bread-and butter, and I can't remember so much about the teaparty or the tarts. "

The Hatter dropped his teacup and bread-and-butter, and went down on one knee.
" I'm a poor man, your Majesty, " he began.

" You're a very poor speaker, " said the king frowning.
" If that's all you know about it, you may stand down. "

Here one of the guinea-pigs cheered, and was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court.

They had a large canvas bag, which tied up at the mouth with strings: into this they slipped the guinea-pig, head first, and then sat upon it.

" I'm glad I've seen that done." thought Alice.
" I've so often read in the newspepers,at the end the trials,
'There was some attempt at applause, which was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court,'
and I never understood what it meant till now. "

" I'd rather finish my tea, " said the Hatter, with an anxious look at the Queen, who was reading the list of singers.

" You may go, " said the king.

The Hatter hurriedly left the court, without even waiting to put his shoes on.



" Just take his head off outside ! " the Queen shouted, but the Hatter was out of sight before the officer could get to the door.

" Call the next witness ! " said the King.

(58/65)