The chessmen were walking about , two and two ! ` Here are the Red King and the Red Queen , ' Alice said -LRB- in a whisper , for fear of frightening them -RRB- , ` and there are the White King and the White Queen sitting on the edge of the shovel -- and here are two castles walking arm in arm -- I do n't think they can hear me , ' she went on , as she put her head closer down , ` and I 'm nearly sure they ca n't see me . I feel somehow as if I were invisible -- ' Here something began squeaking on the table behind Alice , and made her turn her head just in time to see one of the White Pawns roll over and begin kicking : she watched it with great curiosity to see what would happen next . ` It is the voice of my child ! ' the White Queen cried out as she rushed past the King , so violently that she knocked him over among the cinders . ` My precious Lily ! My imperial kitten ! ' and she began scrambling wildly up the side of the fender . ` Imperial fiddlestick ! ' said the King , rubbing his nose , which had been hurt by the fall . He had a right to be a LITTLE annoyed with the Queen , for he was covered with ashes from head to foot . Alice was very anxious to be of use , and , as the poor little Lily was nearly screaming herself into a fit , she hastily picked up the Queen and set her on the table by the side of her noisy little daughter . The Queen gasped , and sat down : the rapid journey through the air had quite taken away her breath and for a minute or two she could do nothing but hug the little Lily in silence . As soon as she had recovered her breath a little , she called out to the White King , who was sitting sulkily among the ashes , ` Mind the volcano ! ' ` What volcano ? ' said the King , looking up anxiously into the fire , as if he thought that was the most likely place to find one . ` Blew -- me -- up , ' panted the Queen , who was still a little out of breath . ` Mind you come up -- the regular way -- do n't get blown up ! ' Alice watched the White King as he slowly struggled up from bar to bar , till at last she said , ` Why , you 'll be hours and hours getting to the table , at that rate . I 'd far better help you , had n't I ? '
But the XXXXX took no notice of the question : it was quite clear that he could neither hear her nor see her .
Alice King Pawns Queen chessmen fiddlestick fire hours minute right