This Alice thought a very curious thing , and she went near to watch them , and just as she came up she heard one of them say `` look out , Five ! Do n't go splashing paint over me like that ! '' `` I could n't help it , '' said Five in a sulky tone , `` Seven jogged my elbow . '' On which Seven lifted up his head and said `` that 's right , Five ! Always lay the blame on others ! '' `` You 'd better not talk ! '' said Five , `` I heard the Queen say only yesterday she thought of having you beheaded ! '' `` What for ? '' said the one who had spoken first . `` That 's not your business , Two ! '' said Seven . `` Yes , it is his business ! '' said Five , `` and I 'll tell him : it was for bringing in tulip-roots to the cook instead of potatoes . '' Seven flung down his brush , and had just begun `` well ! Of all the unjust things -- '' when his eye fell upon Alice , and he stopped suddenly ; the others looked round , and all of them took off their hats and bowed low . `` Would you tell me , please , '' said Alice timidly , `` why you are painting those roses ? '' Five and Seven looked at Two , but said nothing : Two began , in a low voice , `` why , Miss , the fact is , this 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 . So , you see , we 're doing our best , before she comes , to -- '' At this moment Five , who had been looking anxiously 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 XXXXX looked round , eager to see the Queen .
Alice Queen brush first paint right roses things tone tulip-roots