`` 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 Alice looked round , eager to see the Queen . First came ten soldiers carrying clubs ; these were all shaped like the three gardeners , flat and oblong , with their hands and feet at the corners : next the ten courtiers ; these were all ornamented with diamonds , and walked two and two , as the soldiers did . After these came the Royal children : there were ten of them , and the little dears came jumping merrily along , hand in hand , in couples : they were all ornamented with hearts . Next came the guests , mostly kings and queens , among whom Alice recognised the white rabbit : it was talking in a hurried nervous manner , smiling at everything that was said , and went by without noticing her . Then followed the Knave of Hearts , carrying the King 's crown on a cushion , and , last of all this grand procession , came THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- When the procession came opposite to Alice , they all stopped and looked at her , and the Queen said severely `` who is this ? '' She said it to the Knave of Hearts , who only bowed and smiled in reply . `` Idiot ! '' said the Queen , turning up her nose , and asked Alice `` what 's your name ? '' `` My name is Alice , so please your Majesty , '' said Alice boldly , for she thought to herself `` why , they 're only a pack of cards ! 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 XXXXX turned crimson with fury , and , after glaring at her for a minute , began in a voice of thunder `` off with her -- '' `` Nonsense ! ''
Alice First Hearts King Knave Queen Royal dears manner nothing