Alice whispered to the Gryphon . ` They ca n't have anything to put down yet , before the trial 's begun . ' ` They 're putting down their names , ' the Gryphon whispered in reply , ` for fear they should forget them before the end of the trial . ' ` Stupid things ! ' Alice began in a loud , indignant voice , but she stopped hastily , for the White Rabbit cried out , ` Silence in the court ! ' and the King put on his spectacles and looked anxiously round , to make out who was talking . Alice could see , as well as if she were looking over their shoulders , that all the jurors were writing down ` stupid things ! ' on their slates , and she could even make out that one of them did n't know how to spell ` stupid , ' and that he had to ask his neighbour to tell him . ' A nice muddle their slates 'll be in before the trial 's over ! ' thought Alice . One of the jurors had a pencil that squeaked . This of course , Alice could not stand , and she went round the court and got behind him , and very soon found an opportunity of taking it away . She did it so quickly that the poor little juror -LRB- it was Bill , the Lizard -RRB- could not make out at all what had become of it ; so , after hunting all about for it , he was obliged to write with one finger for the rest of the day ; and this was of very little use , as it left no mark on the slate . ` Herald , read the accusation ! ' said the King . On this the White Rabbit blew three blasts on the trumpet , and then unrolled the parchment scroll , and read as follows : -- ` The Queen of Hearts , she made some tarts , All on a summer day : The Knave of Hearts , he stole those tarts , And took them quite away ! ' ` Consider your verdict , ' the King said to the jury . ` Not yet , not yet ! ' the Rabbit hastily interrupted . ` There 's a great deal to come before that ! '
` Call the first witness , ' said the King ; and the White Rabbit blew three blasts XXXXX the trumpet , and called out , ` First witness ! '
after as at before for in of on that to