politely, “if I had it written down: but I can’t quite follow it as

you say it.”


“That’s nothing to what I could say if I chose,” the Duchess

replied, in a pleased tone.


“Pray don’t trouble yourself to say it any longer than that,”

said Alice.


“Oh, don’t talk about trouble!” said the Duchess. “I

make you a present of everything I’ve said as yet.”


“A cheap sort of present!” thought Alice. “I’m glad

they don’t give birthday presents like that!” But she did not

venture to say it out loud.


“Thinking again?” the Duchess asked, with another dig of her sharp

little chin.


“I’ve a right to think,” said Alice sharply, for she was

beginning to feel a little worried.


“Just about as much right,” said the Duchess, “as pigs have

to fly; and the m—”


But here, to Alice’s great surprise, the Duchess’s voice died away,

even in the middle of her favourite word ‘moral,’ and the arm that

was linked into hers began to tremble. Alice looked up, and there stood the

Queen in front of them, with her arms folded, frowning like a thunderstorm.


“A fine day, your Majesty!” the Duchess began in a low, weak voice.


“Now, I give you fair warning,” shouted the Queen, stamping on the

ground as she spoke; “either you or your head must be off, and that in

about half no time! Take your choice!”


The Duchess took her choice, and was gone in a moment.


“Let’s go on with the game,” the Queen said to Alice; and

Alice was too much frightened to say a word, but slowly followed her back to

the croquet-ground.


The other guests had taken advantage of the Queen’s absence, and were

resting in the shade: however, the moment they saw her, they hurried back to

the game, the Queen merely remarking that a moment’s delay would cost

them their lives.


All the time they were playing the Queen never left off quarrelling with the

other players, and shouting “Off with his head!” or “Off with