First came ten soldiers carrying clubs ; these were all shaped like the three gardeners , oblong and flat , with their hands and feet at the corners : next the ten courtiers ; these were ornamented all over 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 , and among them 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 crimson velvet cushion ; and , last of all this grand procession , came THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS . Alice was rather doubtful whether she ought not to lie down on her face like the three gardeners , but she could not remember ever having heard of such a rule at processions ; ` and besides , what would be the use of a procession , ' thought she , ` if people had all to lie down upon their faces , so that they could n't see it ? ' So she stood still where she was , and waited . 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 , tossing her head impatiently ; and , turning to Alice , she went on , ` What 's your name , child ? ' ` My name is Alice , so please your Majesty , ' said Alice very politely ; but she added , to herself , ` Why , they 're only a pack of cards , after all . I need n't be afraid of them ! ' ` And who are THESE ? ' said the Queen , pointing to the three gardeners who were lying round the rosetree ; for , you see , 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 Queen turned crimson with fury , and , after glaring at her for a moment like a wild beast , screamed ` Off with her head ! Off -- ' ` Nonsense ! ' said Alice , very loudly and decidedly , and the Queen was silent .
The King laid his hand XXXXX her arm , and timidly said ` Consider , my dear : she is only a child ! '
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