Queen Alice ` Well , this IS grand ! ' said Alice . ' I never expected I should be a Queen so soon -- and I 'll tell you what it is , your majesty , ' she went on in a severe tone -LRB- she was always rather fond of scolding herself -RRB- , ` it 'll never do for you to be lolling about on the grass like that ! Queens have to be dignified , you know ! ' So she got up and walked about -- rather stiffly just at first , as she was afraid that the crown might come off : but she comforted herself with the thought that there was nobody to see her , ` and if I really am a Queen , ' she said as she sat down again , ' I shall be able to manage it quite well in time . ' Everything was happening so oddly that she did n't feel a bit surprised at finding the Red Queen and the White Queen sitting close to her , one on each side : she would have liked very much to ask them how they came there , but she feared it would not be quite civil . However , there would be no harm , she thought , in asking if the game was over . ` Please , would you tell me -- ' she began , looking timidly at the Red Queen . ` Speak when you 're spoken to ! ' The Queen sharply interrupted her . ` But if everybody obeyed that rule , ' said Alice , who was always ready for a little argument , ` and if you only spoke when you were spoken to , and the other person always waited for YOU to begin , you see nobody would ever say anything , so that -- ' ` Ridiculous ! ' cried the Queen . ` Why , do n't you see , child -- ' here she broke off with a frown , and , after thinking for a minute , suddenly changed the subject of the conversation . ` 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 XXXXX moaned , wringing her hands .
Alice Queen crown first frown majesty minute nobody right subject