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'Would you please tell me, please,' said Alice, 'why you are painting the roses?'
Five and Seven said nothing, but looked at Two. Two began in a low voice, 'Why, the fact is, you see, Miss, this here ought to have been a red rose-tree, and we put a white one in by mistake; and, if the Queen was to find it out, we should all have our heads cut off, you know. So you see, Miss, we're doing our best, afore she comes, to ...' At this moment, Five, who had been anxiously looking across the garden, called out 'The Queen! The Queen!' and the three gardeners instantly threw themselves flat upon their faces. There was a sound of many footsteps, and Alice looked around, eager to see the Queen ...
When the procession came opposite to Alice, they all stopped and looked at her, and the Queen said, severely, 'Who is this?' She said it to the Knave of Hearts, who only bowed and smiled in reply.
'Idiot!' said the Queen impatiently; and, turning to Alice, she went on: 'What's your name child?'
'My name is Alice, so please your Majesty,' said Alice very politely; but she added to herself, 'Why, they're only a pack of cards, after all. I needn't be afraid of them!'
'And who are these?' said the Queen, pointing to the three gardeners who were lying around the rose-tree ...
'How should I know?' said Alice, surprised by her own courage. 'It's no business of mine.'
The Queen turned crimson with fury, and after glaring at her for a moment like a wild beast, began screaming, 'Off with her head! Off with ...'
'Nonsense!' said Alice, very loudly and decidedly, and the Queen was silent.
The King laid his hand upon her arm, and timidly said, 'Consider, my dear: she is only a child!' |
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