Shall she repeat it ? ' ` Her Red Majesty 's very kind to mention it , ' the White Queen murmured into Alice 's other ear , in a voice like the cooing of a pigeon . ` It would be SUCH a treat ! May I ? ' ` Please do , ' Alice said very politely . The White Queen laughed with delight , and stroked Alice 's cheek . Then she began : ' `` First , the fish must be caught . '' That is easy : a baby , I think , could have caught it . `` Next , the fish must be bought . '' That is easy : a penny , I think , would have bought it . `` Now cook me the fish ! '' That is easy , and will not take more than a minute . `` Let it lie in a dish ! '' That is easy , because it already is in it . `` Bring it here ! Let me sup ! '' It is easy to set such a dish on the table . `` Take the dish-cover up ! '' Ah , THAT is so hard that I fear I 'm unable ! For it holds it like glue -- Holds the lid to the dish , while it lies in the middle : Which is easiest to do , Un-dish-cover the fish , or dishcover the riddle ? '
` Take a XXXXX to think about it , and then guess , ' said the Red Queen .
Ah Alice First Majesty May Queen Red dish-cover dishcover minute