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 couldn’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 needn’t be afraid of them!”


“And who are these?” said the Queen, pointing to the three

gardeners who were lying round the rose-tree; 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