Alice in Wonderland (59)

Alice in Wonderland (59)

The next witness was the Duchess's cook.

She carried the pepper-box in one hand, and Alice guessed who it was, even before she got into the court, by the way people near the door began sneezing all at once.

" Give your evidence, " said the king.

" Shan't , " said the cook.

The king looked anxiously at the White Rabbit.

The White Rabbit said in a low voice, " Your Majesty must cross-examine this witness. "

" Well, if I must, I must, " the King said, with a melancholy air.
" What are the tarts made of ? "

" Pepper, mostly, " said the cook.

" Treacle, " said a sleepy voice behind her.

"Collar that Dormouse, " the Queen shrieked out.
"Behead that Dormouse ! Turn that Dormouse out of court ! Suppress him! Pinch him ! Off with his whiskers ! "

For some minutes the whole court was in confusion, getting the Dormouse turned out.

By the time they had settled down again, the cook was disappeared.

" Never mind ! " said the king with an air of great relief.
" Call the next witness ! "
And he whispered to the Queen, " Really, my dear, you must cross-examine the next witness. It quite makes my forehead ache. "

Alice watched the White Rabbit as he fumbled over the list, feeling very curious to see what the next witness would be like.

" They haven't got much evidence yet, " she said to herself.

Imagine her surprise, when the White Rabbit read out.

At the top of his shrill voice, he calls the name
"Alice ! "  

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