Alice in Wonderland (62)

Alice in Wonderland (62)

" This paper has just been picked up. "



"What's in it ? " said the Queen.

" I haven't opened it yet, " said the White Rabbit, " but it seems to be a letter, written by the prisoner toーto somebody. "

" It must have been that ! " exclaimed the king.

" Who is it directed to ? " said one of the jurymen.

" It isn't directed at all. In fact, there's nothing written on the outside, " he unholded the paper as he spoke,
and added, "It isn't a letter, after all. It's a set of verses. "

" Are they in the prisoner's handwriting ? "

" No, they're not, " said the White Rabbit, " and that's the queerest thing about it. "

(The jury all looked puzzled.)

" He must have imitated somebody else's hand, " said the King.

(The jury all brightened up again.)

" Please your Majesty, " said the Knave, " I didin't write it, and they can't prove I did. There's no name signed at the end. "

" If you didn't sign it, " said the king, " that only makes the matter worse, Knave. You must meant some mischief, or else you'd have signed your name like an honest man. "

There was a general clapping of hands at this.
It was the first really clever thing the king had said that day.

" That proves his guilt, " said the Queen.

" It proves nothing of the sort ! " shouted Alice.
" Why, you don't even know what the verses are about ! "

" Read them, " said the King.

(62/65)