I need n't be afraid of them ! '' `` Who are these ? '' said the Queen , pointing to the three gardeners lying round the rose tree , for , as they were lying on their faces , and the pattern on their backs was the same as the rest of the pack , she could not tell whether they were gardeners , or soldiers , or courtiers , or three of her own children . `` How should I know ? '' said Alice , surprised at her own courage , `` it 's no business of mine . '' The Queen turned crimson with fury , and , after glaring at her for a minute , began in a voice of thunder `` off with her -- '' `` Nonsense ! '' said Alice , very loudly and decidedly , and the Queen was silent . The King laid his hand upon her arm , and said timidly `` remember , my dear ! She is only a child ! '' The Queen turned angrily away from him , and said to the Knave `` turn them over ! '' The Knave did so , very carefully , with one foot . `` Get up ! '' said the Queen , in a shrill loud voice , and the three gardeners instantly jumped up , and began bowing to the King , the Queen , the Royal children , and everybody else . `` Leave off that ! '' screamed the Queen , `` you make me giddy . '' And then , turning to the rose tree , she went on `` what have you been doing here ? '' `` May it please your Majesty , '' said Two very humbly , going down on one knee as he spoke , `` we were trying -- '' `` I see ! '' said the Queen , who had meantime been examining the roses , `` off with their heads ! '' and the procession moved on , three of the soldiers remaining behind to execute the three unfortunate gardeners , who ran to Alice for protection . `` You sha 'n' t be beheaded ! ''
said XXXXX , and she put them into her pocket : the three soldiers marched once round her , looking for them , and then quietly marched off after the others .
Alice King Knave Majesty Queen courage fury gardeners heads minute