` What do you mean by `` If you really are a Queen '' ? What right have you to call yourself so ? You ca n't be a Queen , you know , till you 've passed the proper examination . And the sooner we begin it , the better . ' ' I only said `` if '' ! ' poor Alice pleaded in a piteous tone . The two Queens looked at each other , and the Red Queen remarked , with a little shudder , ` She SAYS she only said `` if '' -- ' ` But she said a great deal more than that ! ' the White Queen moaned , wringing her hands . ` Oh , ever so much more than that ! ' ` So you did , you know , ' the Red Queen said to Alice . ` Always speak the truth -- think before you speak -- and write it down afterwards . ' ` I 'm sure I did n't mean -- ' Alice was beginning , but the Red Queen interrupted her impatiently . ` That 's just what I complain of ! You SHOULD have meant ! What do you suppose is the use of child without any meaning ? Even a joke should have some meaning -- and a child 's more important than a joke , I hope . You could n't deny that , even if you tried with both hands . ' ' I do n't deny things with my HANDS , ' Alice objected . ` Nobody said you did , ' said the Red Queen . ' I said you could n't if you tried . '
` She 's in that state of mind , ' said the White XXXXX , ` that she wants to deny SOMETHING -- only she does n't know what to deny ! ' '
Alice HANDS Nobody Queen child deal joke right things tone