` Nothing , ' said Alice . ` Nothing WHATEVER ? ' persisted the King . ` Nothing whatever , ' said Alice . ` That 's very important , ' the King said , turning to the jury . They were just beginning to write this down on their slates , when the White Rabbit interrupted : ` UNimportant , your Majesty means , of course , ' he said in a very respectful tone , but frowning and making faces at him as he spoke . ` UNimportant , of course , I meant , ' the King hastily said , and went on to himself in an undertone , ` important -- unimportant -- unimportant -- important -- ' as if he were trying which word sounded best . Some of the jury wrote it down ` important , ' and some ` unimportant . ' Alice could see this , as she was near enough to look over their slates ; ` but it does n't matter a bit , ' she thought to herself . At this moment the King , who had been for some time busily writing in his note-book , cackled out ` Silence ! ' and read out from his book , ` Rule Forty-two . ALL PERSONS MORE THAN A MILE HIGH TO LEAVE THE COURT . ' Everybody looked at Alice . ` I 'M not a mile high , ' said Alice . ` You are , ' said the King . ` Nearly two miles high , ' added the Queen . ` Well , I sha n't go , at any rate , ' said Alice : ` besides , that 's not a regular rule : you invented it just now . ' ` It 's the oldest rule in the book , ' said the King . ` Then it ought to be Number One , ' said Alice . The King turned pale , and shut his note-book hastily .
` Consider your verdict , ' he said to the jury , XXXXX a low , trembling voice .
THAN as at besides for from in near on to