Carroll Alice

8/9/2019 Carroll Alice

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ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

Lewis Carroll

THE MILLENNIUM FULCRUM EDITION 3.0

CHAPTER I. Dow !"e Ra##i!$Hole

Ali%e was #e&ii& !o &e! er( !ire) o* si!!i& #( "er sis!er o !"e #a+, a) o* "ai& o!"i& !o )o- o%e or !wi%e s"e "a) eee) i!o !"e #oo+ "er sis!er was rea)i&, #/! i! "a) o i%!/res or %oersa!ios ii!, 'a) w"a! is !"e /se o* a #oo+,' !"o/&"! Ali%e 'wi!"o/! i%!/res or %oersa!io'

So s"e was %osi)eri& i "er ow 1i) 2as well as s"e %o/l), *or !"e"o! )a( 1a)e "er *eel er( slee( a) s!/i), w"e!"er !"e leas/reo* 1a+i& a )ais($%"ai wo/l) #e wor!" !"e !ro/#le o* &e!!i& / a)

i%+i& !"e )aisies, w"e s/))el( a W"i!e Ra##i! wi!" i+ e(es ra%lose #( "er.

T"ere was o!"i& so VER4 re1ar+a#le i !"a!5 or )i) Ali%e !"i+ i! soVER4 1/%" o/! o* !"e wa( !o "ear !"e Ra##i! sa( !o i!sel*, 'O" )ear6O" )ear6 I s"all #e la!e6' 2w"e s"e !"o/&"! i! oer a*!erwar)s, i!o%%/rre) !o "er !"a! s"e o/&"! !o "ae wo)ere) a! !"is, #/! a! !"e !i1ei! all see1e) 7/i!e a!/ral5 #/! w"e !"e Ra##i! a%!/all( TOO8 A WATCHOUT OF ITS WAISTCOAT$POC8ET, a) loo+e) a! i!, a) !"e "/rrie) o,Ali%e s!ar!e) !o "er *ee!, *or i! *las"e) a%ross "er 1i) !"a! s"e "a)eer #e*ore see a ra##i! wi!" ei!"er a wais!%oa!$o%+e!, or a wa!%"!o !a+e o/! o* i!, a) #/ri& wi!" %/riosi!(, s"e ra a%ross !"e *iel)a*!er i!, a) *or!/a!el( was 9/s! i !i1e !o see i! o )ow a lar&era##i!$"ole /)er !"e "e)&e.

I ao!"er 1o1e! )ow we! Ali%e a*!er i!, eer o%e %osi)eri& "owi !"e worl) s"e was !o &e! o/! a&ai.

T"e ra##i!$"ole we! s!rai&"! o li+e a !/el *or so1e wa(, a) !"e)ie) s/))el( )ow, so s/))el( !"a! Ali%e "a) o! a 1o1e! !o !"i+ a#o/! s!oi& "ersel* #e*ore s"e *o/) "ersel* *alli& )ow a er( )eewell.

Ei!"er !"e well was er( )ee, or s"e *ell er( slowl(, *or s"e "a) le!( o* !i1e as s"e we! )ow !o loo+ a#o/! "er a) !o wo)er w"a! was&oi& !o "ae e:!. Firs!, s"e !rie) !o loo+ )ow a) 1a+e o/! w"a!s"e was %o1i& !o, #/! i! was !oo )ar+ !o see a(!"i&5 !"e s"eloo+e) a! !"e si)es o* !"e well, a) o!i%e) !"a! !"e( were *ille) wi!"

%/#oar)s a) #oo+$s"eles5 "ere a) !"ere s"e saw 1as a) i%!/res"/& /o e&s. S"e !oo+ )ow a 9ar *ro1 oe o* !"e s"eles ass"e asse)5 i! was la#elle) 'ORAN;E MARMALADE', #/! !o "er &rea!


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)isaoi!1e! i! was e1!(- s"e )i) o! li+e !o )ro !"e 9ar *or *ear o* +illi& so1e#o)(, so 1aa&e) !o /! i! i!o oe o* !"e %/#oar)s ass"e *ell as! i!.

'Well6' !"o/&"! Ali%e !o "ersel*, 'a*!er s/%" a *all as !"is, I s"all

!"i+ o!"i& o* !/1#li& )ow s!airs6 How #rae !"e('ll all !"i+ 1e a!"o1e6 W"(, I wo/l)'! sa( a(!"i& a#o/! i!, ee i* I *ell o** !"e !oo* !"e "o/se6' 2W"i%" was er( li+el( !r/e.

Dow, )ow, )ow. Wo/l) !"e *all NEVER %o1e !o a e)6 'I wo)er "ow1a( 1iles I'e *alle #( !"is !i1e' s"e sai) alo/). 'I 1/s! #e &e!!i&so1ew"ere ear !"e %e!re o* !"e ear!". Le! 1e see- !"a! wo/l) #e *o/r !"o/sa) 1iles )ow, I !"i+$$' 2*or, (o/ see, Ali%e "a) lear! seeral!"i&s o* !"is sor! i "er lessos i !"e s%"oolroo1, a) !"o/&" !"iswas o! a VER4 &oo) oor!/i!( *or s"owi& o** "er +owle)&e, as !"erewas o oe !o lis!e !o "er, s!ill i! was &oo) ra%!i%e !o sa( i! oer

'$$(es, !"a!'s a#o/! !"e ri&"! )is!a%e$$#/! !"e I wo)er w"a! La!i!/)eor Lo&i!/)e I'e &o! !o' 2Ali%e "a) o i)ea w"a! La!i!/)e was, or Lo&i!/)e ei!"er, #/! !"o/&"! !"e( were i%e &ra) wor)s !o sa(.

Prese!l( s"e #e&a a&ai. 'I wo)er i* I s"all *all ri&"! THROU;H !"eear!"6 How */( i!'ll see1 !o %o1e o/! a1o& !"e eole !"a! wal+ wi!"!"eir "ea)s )owwar)6 T"e A!ia!"ies, I !"i+$$' 2s"e was ra!"er &la)!"ere WAS o oe lis!ei&, !"is !i1e, as i! )i)'! so/) a! all !"eri&"! wor) '$$#/! I s"all "ae !o as+ !"e1 w"a! !"e a1e o* !"e %o/!r(is, (o/ +ow. Please, Ma'a1, is !"is New i&o**, a) "a) 9/s! #e&/ !o )rea1 !"a! s"e was wal+i& "a) i "a) wi!"Dia", a) sa(i& !o "er er( eares!l(, 'Now, Dia", !ell 1e !"e !r/!"-)i) (o/ eer ea! a #a!' w"e s/))el(, !"/16 !"/16 )ow s"e %a1e /oa "ea o* s!i%+s a) )r( leaes, a) !"e *all was oer.

Ali%e was o! a #i! "/r!, a) s"e 9/1e) / o !o "er *ee! i a 1o1e!-s"e loo+e) /, #/! i! was all )ar+ oer"ea)5 #e*ore "er was ao!"er

lo& assa&e, a) !"e W"i!e Ra##i! was s!ill i si&"!, "/rr(i& )ow i!.T"ere was o! a 1o1e! !o #e los!- awa( we! Ali%e li+e !"e wi), a)was 9/s! i !i1e !o "ear i! sa(, as i! !/re) a %orer, 'O" 1( ears


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i!, a) *i)i& i! er( i%e, 2i! "a), i *a%!, a sor! o* 1i:e) *lao/r o* %"err($!ar!, %/s!ar), ie$ale, roas! !/r+e(, !o**ee, a) "o!

#/!!ere) !oas!, s"e er( soo *iis"e) i! o**.

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'W"a! a %/rio/s *eeli&6' sai) Ali%e5 'I 1/s! #e s"/!!i& / li+e a!eles%oe.'

A) so i! was i)ee)- s"e was ow ol( !e i%"es "i&", a) "er *a%e #ri&"!ee) / a! !"e !"o/&"! !"a! s"e was ow !"e ri&"! si>e *or &oi&!"ro/&" !"e li!!le )oor i!o !"a! loel( &ar)e. Firs!, "oweer, s"e

wai!e) *or a *ew 1i/!es !o see i* s"e was &oi& !o s"ri+ a( */r!"er-s"e *el! a li!!le ero/s a#o/! !"is5 '*or i! 1i&"! e), (o/ +ow,' sai)Ali%e !o "ersel*, 'i 1( &oi& o/! al!o&e!"er, li+e a %a)le. I wo)er w"a! I s"o/l) #e li+e !"e' A) s"e !rie) !o *a%( w"a! !"e *la1e o* a%a)le is li+e a*!er !"e %a)le is #low o/!, *or s"e %o/l) o! re1e1#er eer "ai& see s/%" a !"i&.

A*!er a w"ile, *i)i& !"a! o!"i& 1ore "aee), s"e )e%i)e) o &oi&i!o !"e &ar)e a! o%e5 #/!, alas *or oor Ali%e6 w"e s"e &o! !o !"e)oor, s"e *o/) s"e "a) *or&o!!e !"e li!!le &ol)e +e(, a) w"e s"ewe! #a%+ !o !"e !a#le *or i!, s"e *o/) s"e %o/l) o! ossi#l( rea%"i!- s"e %o/l) see i! 7/i!e lail( !"ro/&" !"e &lass, a) s"e !rie) "er

#es! !o %li1# / oe o* !"e le&s o* !"e !a#le, #/! i! was !oo slier(5a) w"e s"e "a) !ire) "ersel* o/! wi!" !r(i&, !"e oor li!!le !"i&sa! )ow a) %rie).

'Co1e, !"ere's o /se i %r(i& li+e !"a!6' sai) Ali%e !o "ersel*,ra!"er s"arl(5 'I a)ise (o/ !o leae o** !"is 1i/!e6' S"e &eerall(&ae "ersel* er( &oo) a)i%e, 2!"o/&" s"e er( sel)o1 *ollowe) i!,a) so1e!i1es s"e s%ol)e) "ersel* so seerel( as !o #ri& !ears i!o"er e(es5 a) o%e s"e re1e1#ere) !r(i& !o #o: "er ow ears *or "ai&

%"ea!e) "ersel* i a &a1e o* %ro7/e! s"e was la(i& a&ais! "ersel*,*or !"is %/rio/s %"il) was er( *o) o* re!e)i& !o #e !wo eole.'=/! i!'s o /se ow,' !"o/&"! oor Ali%e, '!o re!e) !o #e !wo eole6W"(, !"ere's "ar)l( eo/&" o* 1e le*! !o 1a+e ONE rese%!a#le erso6'

Soo "er e(e *ell o a li!!le &lass #o: !"a! was l(i& /)er !"e !a#le-s"e oee) i!, a) *o/) i i! a er( s1all %a+e, o w"i%" !"e wor)s'EAT ME' were #ea/!i*/ll( 1ar+e) i %/rra!s. 'Well, I'll ea! i!,' sai)Ali%e, 'a) i* i! 1a+es 1e &row lar&er, I %a rea%" !"e +e(5 a) i* i!1a+es 1e &row s1aller, I %a %ree /)er !"e )oor5 so ei!"er wa( I'll&e! i!o !"e &ar)e, a) I )o'! %are w"i%" "aes6'

S"e a!e a li!!le #i!, a) sai) a:io/sl( !o "ersel*, 'W"i%" wa( W"i%"wa(', "ol)i& "er "a) o !"e !o o* "er "ea) !o *eel w"i%" wa( i! was


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&rowi&, a) s"e was 7/i!e s/rrise) !o *i) !"a! s"e re1aie) !"e sa1esi>e- !o #e s/re, !"is &eerall( "aes w"e oe ea!s %a+e, #/! Ali%e"a) &o! so 1/%" i!o !"e wa( o* e:e%!i& o!"i& #/! o/!$o*$!"e$wa(!"i&s !o "ae, !"a! i! see1e) 7/i!e )/ll a) s!/i) *or li*e !o &o oi !"e %o11o wa(.

So s"e se! !o wor+, a) er( soo *iis"e) o** !"e %a+e.

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CHAPTER II. T"e Pool o* Tears

'C/rio/ser a) %/rio/ser6' %rie) Ali%e 2s"e was so 1/%" s/rrise), !"a!*or !"e 1o1e! s"e 7/i!e *or&o! "ow !o sea+ &oo) E&lis"5 'ow I'1oei& o/! li+e !"e lar&es! !eles%oe !"a! eer was6 ;oo)$#(e, *ee!6'2*or w"e s"e loo+e) )ow a! "er *ee!, !"e( see1e) !o #e al1os! o/! o* si&"!, !"e( were &e!!i& so *ar o**. 'O", 1( oor li!!le *ee!, I wo)er w"o will /! o (o/r s"oes a) s!o%+i&s *or (o/ ow, )ears I'1 s/re

I s"a'! #e a#le6 I s"all #e a &rea! )eal !oo *ar o** !o !ro/#le1(sel* a#o/! (o/- (o/ 1/s! 1aa&e !"e #es! wa( (o/ %a5$$#/! I 1/s! #e+i) !o !"e1,' !"o/&"! Ali%e, 'or er"as !"e( wo'! wal+ !"e wa( I wa!!o &o6 Le! 1e see- I'll &ie !"e1 a ew air o* #oo!s eer( C"ris!1as.'

A) s"e we! o lai& !o "ersel* "ow s"e wo/l) 1aa&e i!. 'T"e( 1/s!&o #( !"e %arrier,' s"e !"o/&"!5 'a) "ow */( i!'ll see1, se)i&

rese!s !o oe's ow *ee!6 A) "ow o)) !"e )ire%!ios will loo+6

ALICE'S RI;HT FOOT, ESB. HEARTHRU;, NEAR THE FENDER,

2WITH ALICE'S LOVE.

O" )ear, w"a! osese I'1 !al+i&6'

/s! !"e "er "ea) s!r/%+ a&ais! !"e roo* o* !"e "all- i *a%! s"e wasow 1ore !"a ie *ee! "i&", a) s"e a! o%e !oo+ / !"e li!!le &ol)e+e( a) "/rrie) o** !o !"e &ar)e )oor.

Poor Ali%e6 I! was as 1/%" as s"e %o/l) )o, l(i& )ow o oe si)e, !oloo+ !"ro/&" i!o !"e &ar)e wi!" oe e(e5 #/! !o &e! !"ro/&" was 1ore"oeless !"a eer- s"e sa! )ow a) #e&a !o %r( a&ai.

'4o/ o/&"! !o #e as"a1e) o* (o/rsel*,' sai) Ali%e, 'a &rea! &irl li+e(o/,' 2s"e 1i&"! well sa( !"is, '!o &o o %r(i& i !"is wa(6 S!o !"is


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1o1e!, I !ell (o/6' =/! s"e we! o all !"e sa1e, s"e))i& &allos o* !ears, /!il !"ere was a lar&e ool all ro/) "er, a#o/! *o/r i%"es)ee a) rea%"i& "al* )ow !"e "all.

A*!er a !i1e s"e "ear) a li!!le a!!eri& o* *ee! i !"e )is!a%e, a)

s"e "as!il( )rie) "er e(es !o see w"a! was %o1i&. I! was !"e W"i!eRa##i! re!/ri&, sle)i)l( )resse), wi!" a air o* w"i!e +i) &loes ioe "a) a) a lar&e *a i !"e o!"er- "e %a1e !ro!!i& alo& i a &rea!"/rr(, 1/!!eri& !o "i1sel* as "e %a1e, 'O"6 !"e D/%"ess, !"e D/%"ess6O"6 wo'! s"e #e saa&e i* I'e +e! "er wai!i&6' Ali%e *el! so)esera!e !"a! s"e was rea)( !o as+ "el o* a( oe5 so, w"e !"e Ra##i!%a1e ear "er, s"e #e&a, i a low, !i1i) oi%e, 'I* (o/ lease, sir$$'T"e Ra##i! s!ar!e) iole!l(, )roe) !"e w"i!e +i) &loes a) !"e *a,a) s+/rrie) awa( i!o !"e )ar+ess as "ar) as "e %o/l) &o.

Ali%e !oo+ / !"e *a a) &loes, a), as !"e "all was er( "o!, s"e

+e! *ai& "ersel* all !"e !i1e s"e we! o !al+i&- 'Dear, )ear6 How7/eer eer(!"i& is !o$)a(6 A) (es!er)a( !"i&s we! o 9/s! as /s/al.I wo)er i* I'e #ee %"a&e) i !"e i&"! Le! 1e !"i+- was I !"esa1e w"e I &o! / !"is 1ori& I al1os! !"i+ I %a re1e1#er *eeli& ali!!le )i**ere!. =/! i* I'1 o! !"e sa1e, !"e e:! 7/es!io is, W"oi !"e worl) a1 I A", THAT'S !"e &rea! />>le6' A) s"e #e&a !"i+i&oer all !"e %"il)re s"e +ew !"a! were o* !"e sa1e a&e as "ersel*, !osee i* s"e %o/l) "ae #ee %"a&e) *or a( o* !"e1.

'I'1 s/re I'1 o! A)a,' s"e sai), '*or "er "air &oes i s/%" lo&ri&le!s, a) 1ie )oes'! &o i ri&le!s a! all5 a) I'1 s/re I %a'!

#e Ma#el, *or I +ow all sor!s o* !"i&s, a) s"e, o"6 s"e +ows s/%" aer( li!!le6 =esi)es, SHE'S s"e, a) I'1 I, a)$$o" )ear, "ow />>li&i! all is6 I'll !r( i* I +ow all !"e !"i&s I /se) !o +ow. Le! 1esee- *o/r !i1es *ie is !wele, a) *o/r !i1es si: is !"ir!ee, a)*o/r !i1es see is$$o" )ear6 I s"all eer &e! !o !we!( a! !"a! ra!e6Howeer, !"e M/l!ili%a!io Ta#le )oes'! si&i*(- le!'s !r( ;eo&ra"(.Lo)o is !"e %ai!al o* Paris, a) Paris is !"e %ai!al o* Ro1e, a)Ro1e$$o, THAT'S all wro&, I'1 %er!ai6 I 1/s! "ae #ee %"a&e) *or Ma#el6 I'll !r( a) sa( ?How )o!" !"e li!!le$$?' a) s"e %rosse) "er "a)s o "er la as i* s"e were sa(i& lessos, a) #e&a !o reea! i!,

#/! "er oi%e so/)e) "oarse a) s!ra&e, a) !"e wor)s )i) o! %o1e !"esa1e as !"e( /se) !o )o-$$

'How )o!" !"e li!!le %ro%o)ile I1roe "is s"ii& !ail, A) o/r !"e wa!ers o* !"e Nile O eer( &ol)e s%ale6

'How %"eer*/ll( "e see1s !o &ri, How ea!l( srea) "is %laws, A) wel%o1e li!!le *is"es i

Wi!" &e!l( s1ili& 9aws6'

'I'1 s/re !"ose are o! !"e ri&"! wor)s,' sai) oor Ali%e, a) "er e(es


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*ille) wi!" !ears a&ai as s"e we! o, 'I 1/s! #e Ma#el a*!er all, a)I s"all "ae !o &o a) lie i !"a! o+( li!!le "o/se, a) "ae e:! !oo !o(s !o la( wi!", a) o"6 eer so 1a( lessos !o lear6 No, I'e1a)e / 1( 1i) a#o/! i!5 i* I'1 Ma#el, I'll s!a( )ow "ere6 I!'ll #e o/se !"eir /!!i& !"eir "ea)s )ow a) sa(i& ?Co1e / a&ai, )ear6? I

s"all ol( loo+ / a) sa( ?W"o a1 I !"e Tell 1e !"a! *irs!, a) !"e,i* I li+e #ei& !"a! erso, I'll %o1e /- i* o!, I'll s!a( )ow "ere!ill I'1 so1e#o)( else?$$#/!, o" )ear6' %rie) Ali%e, wi!" a s/))e #/rs!o* !ears, 'I )o wis" !"e( WOULD /! !"eir "ea)s )ow6 I a1 so VER4 !ire)o* #ei& all aloe "ere6'

As s"e sai) !"is s"e loo+e) )ow a! "er "a)s, a) was s/rrise) !o see!"a! s"e "a) /! o oe o* !"e Ra##i!'s li!!le w"i!e +i) &loes w"iles"e was !al+i&. 'How CAN I "ae )oe !"a!' s"e !"o/&"!. 'I 1/s!

#e &rowi& s1all a&ai.' S"e &o! / a) we! !o !"e !a#le !o 1eas/re"ersel* #( i!, a) *o/) !"a!, as earl( as s"e %o/l) &/ess, s"e was ow

a#o/! !wo *ee! "i&", a) was &oi& o s"ri+i& rai)l(- s"e soo *o/)o/! !"a! !"e %a/se o* !"is was !"e *a s"e was "ol)i&, a) s"e )roe)i! "as!il(, 9/s! i !i1e !o aoi) s"ri+i& awa( al!o&e!"er.

'T"a! WAS a arrow es%ae6' sai) Ali%e, a &oo) )eal *ri&"!ee) a! !"es/))e %"a&e, #/! er( &la) !o *i) "ersel* s!ill i e:is!e%e5 'a)ow *or !"e &ar)e6' a) s"e ra wi!" all see) #a%+ !o !"e li!!le )oor-

#/!, alas6 !"e li!!le )oor was s"/! a&ai, a) !"e li!!le &ol)e +e( wasl(i& o !"e &lass !a#le as #e*ore, 'a) !"i&s are worse !"a eer,'!"o/&"! !"e oor %"il), '*or I eer was so s1all as !"is #e*ore, eer6A) I )e%lare i!'s !oo #a), !"a! i! is6'

As s"e sai) !"ese wor)s "er *oo! slie), a) i ao!"er 1o1e!, slas"6s"e was / !o "er %"i i sal! wa!er. Her *irs! i)ea was !"a! s"e"a) so1e"ow *alle i!o !"e sea, 'a) i !"a! %ase I %a &o #a%+ #(railwa(,' s"e sai) !o "ersel*. 2Ali%e "a) #ee !o !"e seasi)e o%e i"er li*e, a) "a) %o1e !o !"e &eeral %o%l/sio, !"a! w"ereer (o/ &o!o o !"e E&lis" %oas! (o/ *i) a /1#er o* #a!"i& 1a%"ies i !"esea, so1e %"il)re )i&&i& i !"e sa) wi!" woo)e sa)es, !"e a rowo* lo)&i& "o/ses, a) #e"i) !"e1 a railwa( s!a!io. Howeer, s"e soo1a)e o/! !"a! s"e was i !"e ool o* !ears w"i%" s"e "a) we! w"e s"e

was ie *ee! "i&".

'I wis" I "a)'! %rie) so 1/%"6' sai) Ali%e, as s"e swa1 a#o/!, !r(i&!o *i) "er wa( o/!. 'I s"all #e /is"e) *or i! ow, I s/ose, #(

#ei& )rowe) i 1( ow !ears6 T"a! WILL #e a 7/eer !"i&, !o #e s/re6Howeer, eer(!"i& is 7/eer !o$)a(.'

/s! !"e s"e "ear) so1e!"i& slas"i& a#o/! i !"e ool a li!!le wa(o**, a) s"e swa1 earer !o 1a+e o/! w"a! i! was- a! *irs! s"e !"o/&"!i! 1/s! #e a walr/s or "ioo!a1/s, #/! !"e s"e re1e1#ere) "ow s1alls"e was ow, a) s"e soo 1a)e o/! !"a! i! was ol( a 1o/se !"a! "a)

slie) i li+e "ersel*.

'Wo/l) i! #e o* a( /se, ow,' !"o/&"! Ali%e, '!o sea+ !o !"is 1o/se


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Eer(!"i& is so o/!$o*$!"e$wa( )ow "ere, !"a! I s"o/l) !"i+ er(li+el( i! %a !al+- a! a( ra!e, !"ere's o "ar1 i !r(i&.' So s"e

#e&a- 'O Mo/se, )o (o/ +ow !"e wa( o/! o* !"is ool I a1 er( !ire)o* swi11i& a#o/! "ere, O Mo/se6' 2Ali%e !"o/&"! !"is 1/s! #e !"e ri&"!wa( o* sea+i& !o a 1o/se- s"e "a) eer )oe s/%" a !"i& #e*ore, #/!

s"e re1e1#ere) "ai& see i "er #ro!"er's La!i ;ra11ar, 'A 1o/se$$o* a 1o/se$$!o a 1o/se$$a 1o/se$$O 1o/se6' T"e Mo/se loo+e) a! "er ra!"er i7/isi!iel(, a) see1e) !o "er !o wi+ wi!" oe o* i!s li!!le e(es,

#/! i! sai) o!"i&.

'Per"as i! )oes'! /)ers!a) E&lis",' !"o/&"! Ali%e5 'I )aresa( i!'sa Fre%" 1o/se, %o1e oer wi!" Willia1 !"e Co7/eror.' 2For, wi!" all"er +owle)&e o* "is!or(, Ali%e "a) o er( %lear o!io "ow lo& a&oa(!"i& "a) "aee). So s"e #e&a a&ai- 'O/ es! 1a %"a!!e' w"i%"was !"e *irs! se!e%e i "er Fre%" lesso$#oo+. T"e Mo/se &ae as/))e lea o/! o* !"e wa!er, a) see1e) !o 7/ier all oer wi!" *ri&"!.

'O", I #e& (o/r ar)o6' %rie) Ali%e "as!il(, a*rai) !"a! s"e "a) "/r!!"e oor ai1al's *eeli&s. 'I 7/i!e *or&o! (o/ )i)'! li+e %a!s.'

'No! li+e %a!s6' %rie) !"e Mo/se, i a s"rill, assioa!e oi%e. 'Wo/l)4OU li+e %a!s i* (o/ were 1e'

'Well, er"as o!,' sai) Ali%e i a soo!"i& !oe- ')o'! #e a&r(a#o/! i!. A) (e! I wis" I %o/l) s"ow (o/ o/r %a! Dia"- I !"i+ (o/')!a+e a *a%( !o %a!s i* (o/ %o/l) ol( see "er. S"e is s/%" a )ear 7/ie!!"i&,' Ali%e we! o, "al* !o "ersel*, as s"e swa1 la>il( a#o/! i !"e

ool, 'a) s"e si!s /rri& so i%el( #( !"e *ire, li%+i& "er aws a)was"i& "er *a%e$$a) s"e is s/%" a i%e so*! !"i& !o /rse$$a) s"e'ss/%" a %ai!al oe *or %a!%"i& 1i%e$$o", I #e& (o/r ar)o6' %rie)Ali%e a&ai, *or !"is !i1e !"e Mo/se was #ris!li& all oer, a) s"e*el! %er!ai i! 1/s! #e reall( o**e)e). 'We wo'! !al+ a#o/! "er a(1ore i* (o/') ra!"er o!.'

'We i)ee)6' %rie) !"e Mo/se, w"o was !re1#li& )ow !o !"e e) o* "is!ail. 'As i* I wo/l) !al+ o s/%" a s/#9e%!6 O/r *a1il( alwa(s HATED%a!s- as!(, low, /l&ar !"i&s6 Do'! le! 1e "ear !"e a1e a&ai6'

'I wo'! i)ee)6' sai) Ali%e, i a &rea! "/rr( !o %"a&e !"e s/#9e%! o* %oersa!io. 'Are (o/$$are (o/ *o)$$o*$$o* )o&s' T"e Mo/se )i) o!aswer, so Ali%e we! o ea&erl(- 'T"ere is s/%" a i%e li!!le )o& ear o/r "o/se I s"o/l) li+e !o s"ow (o/6 A li!!le #ri&"!$e(e) !errier, (o/+ow, wi!" o", s/%" lo& %/rl( #row "air6 A) i!'ll *e!%" !"i&s w"e(o/ !"row !"e1, a) i!'ll si! / a) #e& *or i!s )ier, a) all sor!so* !"i&s$$I %a'! re1e1#er "al* o* !"e1$$a) i! #elo&s !o a *ar1er,(o/ +ow, a) "e sa(s i!'s so /se*/l, i!'s wor!" a "/)re) o/)s6 Hesa(s i! +ills all !"e ra!s a)$$o" )ear6' %rie) Ali%e i a sorrow*/l!oe, 'I'1 a*rai) I'e o**e)e) i! a&ai6' For !"e Mo/se was swi11i&awa( *ro1 "er as "ar) as i! %o/l) &o, a) 1a+i& 7/i!e a %o11o!io i

!"e ool as i! we!.

So s"e %alle) so*!l( a*!er i!, 'Mo/se )ear6 Do %o1e #a%+ a&ai, a) we


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wo'! !al+ a#o/! %a!s or )o&s ei!"er, i* (o/ )o'! li+e !"e16' W"e !"eMo/se "ear) !"is, i! !/re) ro/) a) swa1 slowl( #a%+ !o "er- i!s*a%e was 7/i!e ale 2wi!" assio, Ali%e !"o/&"!, a) i! sai) i a low!re1#li& oi%e, 'Le! /s &e! !o !"e s"ore, a) !"e I'll !ell (o/ 1("is!or(, a) (o/'ll /)ers!a) w"( i! is I "a!e %a!s a) )o&s.'

I! was "i&" !i1e !o &o, *or !"e ool was &e!!i& 7/i!e %row)e) wi!" !"e #ir)s a) ai1als !"a! "a) *alle i!o i!- !"ere were a D/%+ a) a Do)o,a Lor( a) a Ea&le!, a) seeral o!"er %/rio/s %rea!/res. Ali%e le) !"ewa(, a) !"e w"ole ar!( swa1 !o !"e s"ore.

CHAPTER III. A Ca/%/s$Ra%e a) a Lo& Tale

T"e( were i)ee) a 7/eer$loo+i& ar!( !"a! asse1#le) o !"e #a+$$!"e #ir)s wi!" )ra&&le) *ea!"ers, !"e ai1als wi!" !"eir */r %li&i& %lose!o !"e1, a) all )rii& we!, %ross, a) /%o1*or!a#le.

T"e *irs! 7/es!io o* %o/rse was, "ow !o &e! )r( a&ai- !"e( "a) a%os/l!a!io a#o/! !"is, a) a*!er a *ew 1i/!es i! see1e) 7/i!e a!/ral!o Ali%e !o *i) "ersel* !al+i& *a1iliarl( wi!" !"e1, as i* s"e "a)+ow !"e1 all "er li*e. I)ee), s"e "a) 7/i!e a lo& ar&/1e! wi!" !"eLor(, w"o a! las! !/re) s/l+(, a) wo/l) ol( sa(, 'I a1 ol)er !"a(o/, a) 1/s! +ow #e!!er'5 a) !"is Ali%e wo/l) o! allow wi!"o/!+owi& "ow ol) i! was, a), as !"e Lor( osi!iel( re*/se) !o !ell i!sa&e, !"ere was o 1ore !o #e sai).

A! las! !"e Mo/se, w"o see1e) !o #e a erso o* a/!"ori!( a1o& !"e1,%alle) o/!, 'Si! )ow, all o* (o/, a) lis!e !o 1e6 I'LL soo 1a+e (o/)r( eo/&"6' T"e( all sa! )ow a! o%e, i a lar&e ri&, wi!" !"e Mo/sei !"e 1i))le. Ali%e +e! "er e(es a:io/sl( *i:e) o i!, *or s"e *el!s/re s"e wo/l) %a!%" a #a) %ol) i* s"e )i) o! &e! )r( er( soo.

'A"e16' sai) !"e Mo/se wi!" a i1or!a! air, 'are (o/ all rea)( T"isis !"e )ries! !"i& I +ow. Sile%e all ro/), i* (o/ lease6 ?Willia1

!"e Co7/eror, w"ose %a/se was *ao/re) #( !"e oe, was soo s/#1i!!e)!o #( !"e E&lis", w"o wa!e) lea)ers, a) "a) #ee o* la!e 1/%"a%%/s!o1e) !o /s/ra!io a) %o7/es!. E)wi a) Mor%ar, !"e earls o* Mer%ia a) Nor!"/1#ria$$?'

'U&"6' sai) !"e Lor(, wi!" a s"ier.

'I #e& (o/r ar)o6' sai) !"e Mo/se, *rowi&, #/! er( oli!el(- 'Di)(o/ sea+'

'No! I6' sai) !"e Lor( "as!il(.

'I !"o/&"! (o/ )i),' sai) !"e Mo/se. '$$I ro%ee). ?E)wi a) Mor%ar,!"e earls o* Mer%ia a) Nor!"/1#ria, )e%lare) *or "i1- a) ee S!i&a),


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!"e a!rio!i% ar%"#is"o o* Ca!er#/r(, *o/) i! a)isa#le$$?'

'Fo/) WHAT' sai) !"e D/%+.

'Fo/) IT,' !"e Mo/se relie) ra!"er %rossl(- 'o* %o/rse (o/ +ow w"a!

?i!? 1eas.'

'I +ow w"a! ?i!? 1eas well eo/&", w"e I *i) a !"i&,' sai) !"eD/%+- 'i!'s &eerall( a *ro& or a wor1. T"e 7/es!io is, w"a! )i) !"ear%"#is"o *i)'

T"e Mo/se )i) o! o!i%e !"is 7/es!io, #/! "/rrie)l( we! o, '?$$*o/)i! a)isa#le !o &o wi!" E)&ar A!"eli& !o 1ee! Willia1 a) o**er "i1 !"e%row. Willia1's %o)/%! a! *irs! was 1o)era!e. =/! !"e isole%e o* "is

Nor1as$$? How are (o/ &e!!i& o ow, 1( )ear' i! %o!i/e), !/ri&!o Ali%e as i! so+e.

'As we! as eer,' sai) Ali%e i a 1ela%"ol( !oe- 'i! )oes'! see1 !o)r( 1e a! all.'

'I !"a! %ase,' sai) !"e Do)o sole1l(, risi& !o i!s *ee!, 'I 1oe!"a! !"e 1ee!i& a)9o/r, *or !"e i11e)ia!e a)o!io o* 1ore eer&e!i%re1e)ies$$'

'Sea+ E&lis"6' sai) !"e Ea&le!. 'I )o'! +ow !"e 1eai& o* "al* !"ose lo& wor)s, a), w"a!'s 1ore, I )o'! #eliee (o/ )o ei!"er6' A)!"e Ea&le! #e! )ow i!s "ea) !o "i)e a s1ile- so1e o* !"e o!"er #ir)s!i!!ere) a/)i#l(.

'W"a! I was &oi& !o sa(,' sai) !"e Do)o i a o**e)e) !oe, 'was, !"a!!"e #es! !"i& !o &e! /s )r( wo/l) #e a Ca/%/s$ra%e.'

'W"a! IS a Ca/%/s$ra%e' sai) Ali%e5 o! !"a! s"e wa!e) 1/%" !o +ow, #/! !"e Do)o "a) a/se) as i* i! !"o/&"! !"a! SOME=OD4 o/&"! !o sea+,a) o oe else see1e) i%lie) !o sa( a(!"i&.

'W"(,' sai) !"e Do)o, '!"e #es! wa( !o e:lai i! is !o )o i!.' 2A), as

(o/ 1i&"! li+e !o !r( !"e !"i& (o/rsel*, so1e wi!er )a(, I will !ell(o/ "ow !"e Do)o 1aa&e) i!.

Firs! i! 1ar+e) o/! a ra%e$%o/rse, i a sor! o* %ir%le, 2'!"e e:a%!s"ae )oes'! 1a!!er,' i! sai), a) !"e all !"e ar!( were la%e)alo& !"e %o/rse, "ere a) !"ere. T"ere was o 'Oe, !wo, !"ree, a)awa(,' #/! !"e( #e&a r/i& w"e !"e( li+e), a) le*! o** w"e !"e(li+e), so !"a! i! was o! eas( !o +ow w"e !"e ra%e was oer. Howeer,w"e !"e( "a) #ee r/i& "al* a "o/r or so, a) were 7/i!e )r( a&ai,!"e Do)o s/))el( %alle) o/! 'T"e ra%e is oer6' a) !"e( all %row)e)ro/) i!, a!i&, a) as+i&, '=/! w"o "as wo'

T"is 7/es!io !"e Do)o %o/l) o! aswer wi!"o/! a &rea! )eal o* !"o/&"!,a) i! sa! *or a lo& !i1e wi!" oe *i&er resse) /o i!s *ore"ea)


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2!"e osi!io i w"i%" (o/ /s/all( see S"a+eseare, i !"e i%!/reso* "i1, w"ile !"e res! wai!e) i sile%e. A! las! !"e Do)o sai),'EVER4=OD4 "as wo, a) all 1/s! "ae ri>es.'

'=/! w"o is !o &ie !"e ri>es' 7/i!e a %"or/s o* oi%es as+e).

'W"(, SHE, o* %o/rse,' sai) !"e Do)o, oi!i& !o Ali%e wi!" oe *i&er5a) !"e w"ole ar!( a! o%e %row)e) ro/) "er, %alli& o/! i a %o*/se)wa(, 'Pri>es6 Pri>es6'

Ali%e "a) o i)ea w"a! !o )o, a) i )esair s"e /! "er "a) i "er o%+e!, a) /lle) o/! a #o: o* %o1*i!s, 2l/%+il( !"e sal! wa!er "a)o! &o! i!o i!, a) "a)e) !"e1 ro/) as ri>es. T"ere was e:a%!l( oea$ie%e all ro/).

'=/! s"e 1/s! "ae a ri>e "ersel*, (o/ +ow,' sai) !"e Mo/se.

'O* %o/rse,' !"e Do)o relie) er( &rael(. 'W"a! else "ae (o/ &o! i(o/r o%+e!' "e we! o, !/ri& !o Ali%e.

'Ol( a !"i1#le,' sai) Ali%e sa)l(.

'Ha) i! oer "ere,' sai) !"e Do)o.

T"e !"e( all %row)e) ro/) "er o%e 1ore, w"ile !"e Do)o sole1l( rese!e) !"e !"i1#le, sa(i& 'We #e& (o/r a%%e!a%e o* !"is ele&a!!"i1#le'5 a), w"e i! "a) *iis"e) !"is s"or! see%", !"e( all %"eere).

Ali%e !"o/&"! !"e w"ole !"i& er( a#s/r), #/! !"e( all loo+e) so &rae!"a! s"e )i) o! )are !o la/&"5 a), as s"e %o/l) o! !"i+ o* a(!"i&!o sa(, s"e si1l( #owe), a) !oo+ !"e !"i1#le, loo+i& as sole1 as s"e%o/l).

T"e e:! !"i& was !o ea! !"e %o1*i!s- !"is %a/se) so1e oise a)%o*/sio, as !"e lar&e #ir)s %o1laie) !"a! !"e( %o/l) o! !as!e!"eirs, a) !"e s1all oes %"o+e) a) "a) !o #e a!!e) o !"e #a%+.Howeer, i! was oer a! las!, a) !"e( sa! )ow a&ai i a ri&, a)

#e&&e) !"e Mo/se !o !ell !"e1 so1e!"i& 1ore.

'4o/ ro1ise) !o !ell 1e (o/r "is!or(, (o/ +ow,' sai) Ali%e, 'a) w"(i! is (o/ "a!e$$C a) D,' s"e a))e) i a w"iser, "al* a*rai) !"a! i!wo/l) #e o**e)e) a&ai.

'Mie is a lo& a) a sa) !ale6' sai) !"e Mo/se, !/ri& !o Ali%e, a)si&"i&.

'I! IS a lo& !ail, %er!ail(,' sai) Ali%e, loo+i& )ow wi!" wo)er a!!"e Mo/se's !ail5 '#/! w"( )o (o/ %all i! sa)' A) s"e +e! o />>li&

a#o/! i! w"ile !"e Mo/se was sea+i&, so !"a! "er i)ea o* !"e !ale wasso1e!"i& li+e !"is-$$


12/73

'F/r( sai) !o a 1o/se, T"a! "e 1e! i !"e "o/se, ?Le! /s

#o!" &o !o law- I will rose%/!e 4OU.$$Co1e, I'll !a+e o )eial5 We 1/s! "ae a !rial- For reall( !"is 1ori& I'e o!"i&

!o )o.? Sai) !"e 1o/se !o !"e %/r, ?S/%" a !rial, )ear Sir, Wi!" o 9/r( or 9/)&e, wo/l) #e was!i& o/r #rea!".? ?I'll #e 9/)&e, I'll #e 9/r(,? Sai) %/i& ol) F/r(- ?I'll !r( !"e

w"ole %a/se, a) %o)e1 (o/ !o )ea!".?'

'4o/ are o! a!!e)i&6' sai) !"e Mo/se !o Ali%e seerel(. 'W"a! are (o/!"i+i& o*'

'I #e& (o/r ar)o,' sai) Ali%e er( "/1#l(- '(o/ "a) &o! !o !"e *i*!" #e), I !"i+'


13/73

'I "a) NOT6' %rie) !"e Mo/se, s"arl( a) er( a&ril(.

'A +o!6' sai) Ali%e, alwa(s rea)( !o 1a+e "ersel* /se*/l, a) loo+i&a:io/sl( a#o/! "er. 'O", )o le! 1e "el !o /)o i!6'

'I s"all )o o!"i& o* !"e sor!,' sai) !"e Mo/se, &e!!i& / a) wal+i&awa(. '4o/ is/l! 1e #( !al+i& s/%" osese6'

'I )i)'! 1ea i!6' lea)e) oor Ali%e. '=/! (o/'re so easil( o**e)e),(o/ +ow6'

T"e Mo/se ol( &rowle) i rel(.

'Please %o1e #a%+ a) *iis" (o/r s!or(6' Ali%e %alle) a*!er i!5 a) !"eo!"ers all 9oie) i %"or/s, '4es, lease )o6' #/! !"e Mo/se ol( s"oo+

i!s "ea) i1a!ie!l(, a) wal+e) a li!!le 7/i%+er.

'W"a! a i!( i! wo/l)'! s!a(6' si&"e) !"e Lor(, as soo as i! was 7/i!eo/! o* si&"!5 a) a ol) Cra# !oo+ !"e oor!/i!( o* sa(i& !o "er )a/&"!er 'A", 1( )ear6 Le! !"is #e a lesso !o (o/ eer !o lose4OUR !e1er6' 'Hol) (o/r !o&/e, Ma6' sai) !"e (o/& Cra#, a li!!lesais"l(. '4o/'re eo/&" !o !r( !"e a!ie%e o* a o(s!er6'

'I wis" I "a) o/r Dia" "ere, I +ow I )o6' sai) Ali%e alo/), a))ressi&o#o)( i ar!i%/lar. 'S"e') soo *e!%" i! #a%+6'

'A) w"o is Dia", i* I 1i&"! e!/re !o as+ !"e 7/es!io' sai) !"eLor(.

Ali%e relie) ea&erl(, *or s"e was alwa(s rea)( !o !al+ a#o/! "er e!-'Dia"'s o/r %a!. A) s"e's s/%" a %ai!al oe *or %a!%"i& 1i%e (o/%a'! !"i+6 A) o", I wis" (o/ %o/l) see "er a*!er !"e #ir)s6 W"(,s"e'll ea! a li!!le #ir) as soo as loo+ a! i!6'

T"is see%" %a/se) a re1ar+a#le sesa!io a1o& !"e ar!(. So1e o* !"e #ir)s "/rrie) o** a! o%e- oe ol) Ma&ie #e&a wrai& i!sel* / er(

%are*/ll(, re1ar+i&, 'I reall( 1/s! #e &e!!i& "o1e5 !"e i&"!$air )oes'! s/i! 1( !"roa!6' a) a Caar( %alle) o/! i a !re1#li& oi%e !oi!s %"il)re, 'Co1e awa(, 1( )ears6 I!'s "i&" !i1e (o/ were all i #e)6'O ario/s re!e:!s !"e( all 1oe) o**, a) Ali%e was soo le*! aloe.

'I wis" I "a)'! 1e!ioe) Dia"6' s"e sai) !o "ersel* i a 1ela%"ol(!oe. 'No#o)( see1s !o li+e "er, )ow "ere, a) I'1 s/re s"e's !"e #es!%a! i !"e worl)6 O", 1( )ear Dia"6 I wo)er i* I s"all eer see (o/a( 1ore6' A) "ere oor Ali%e #e&a !o %r( a&ai, *or s"e *el! er(loel( a) low$siri!e). I a li!!le w"ile, "oweer, s"e a&ai "ear)a li!!le a!!eri& o* *oo!s!es i !"e )is!a%e, a) s"e loo+e) /

ea&erl(, "al* "oi& !"a! !"e Mo/se "a) %"a&e) "is 1i), a) was %o1i& #a%+ !o *iis" "is s!or(.


14/73

CHAPTER IV. T"e Ra##i! Se)s i a Li!!le =ill

I! was !"e W"i!e Ra##i!, !ro!!i& slowl( #a%+ a&ai, a) loo+i&a:io/sl( a#o/! as i! we!, as i* i! "a) los! so1e!"i&5 a) s"e "ear)i! 1/!!eri& !o i!sel* 'T"e D/%"ess6 T"e D/%"ess6 O" 1( )ear aws6 O"1( */r a) w"is+ers6 S"e'll &e! 1e e:e%/!e), as s/re as *erre!s are*erre!s6 W"ere CAN I "ae )roe) !"e1, I wo)er' Ali%e &/esse) i a1o1e! !"a! i! was loo+i& *or !"e *a a) !"e air o* w"i!e +i) &loes,a) s"e er( &oo)$a!/re)l( #e&a "/!i& a#o/! *or !"e1, #/! !"e( wereow"ere !o #e see$$eer(!"i& see1e) !o "ae %"a&e) si%e "er swi1 i!"e ool, a) !"e &rea! "all, wi!" !"e &lass !a#le a) !"e li!!le )oor,"a) ais"e) %o1le!el(.

Ver( soo !"e Ra##i! o!i%e) Ali%e, as s"e we! "/!i& a#o/!, a)%alle) o/! !o "er i a a&r( !oe, 'W"(, Mar( A, w"a! ARE (o/ )oi&o/! "ere R/ "o1e !"is 1o1e!, a) *e!%" 1e a air o* &loes a) a *a6B/i%+, ow6' A) Ali%e was so 1/%" *ri&"!ee) !"a! s"e ra o** a! o%ei !"e )ire%!io i! oi!e) !o, wi!"o/! !r(i& !o e:lai !"e 1is!a+e i!"a) 1a)e.

'He !oo+ 1e *or "is "o/se1ai),' s"e sai) !o "ersel* as s"e ra. 'Hows/rrise) "e'll #e w"e "e *i)s o/! w"o I a16 =/! I') #e!!er !a+e "i1"is *a a) &loes$$!"a! is, i* I %a *i) !"e1.' As s"e sai) !"is, s"e%a1e /o a ea! li!!le "o/se, o !"e )oor o* w"i%" was a #ri&"! #rass

la!e wi!" !"e a1e 'W. RA==IT' e&rae) /o i!. S"e we! i wi!"o/!+o%+i&, a) "/rrie) /s!airs, i &rea! *ear les! s"e s"o/l) 1ee! !"ereal Mar( A, a) #e !/re) o/! o* !"e "o/se #e*ore s"e "a) *o/) !"e*a a) &loes.

'How 7/eer i! see1s,' Ali%e sai) !o "ersel*, '!o #e &oi& 1essa&es *or a ra##i!6 I s/ose Dia"'ll #e se)i& 1e o 1essa&es e:!6' A) s"e

#e&a *a%(i& !"e sor! o* !"i& !"a! wo/l) "ae- '?Miss Ali%e6 Co1e"ere )ire%!l(, a) &e! rea)( *or (o/r wal+6? ?Co1i& i a 1i/!e,/rse6 =/! I'e &o! !o see !"a! !"e 1o/se )oes'! &e! o/!.? Ol( I )o'!

!"i+,' Ali%e we! o, '!"a! !"e(') le! Dia" s!o i !"e "o/se i* i! #e&a or)eri& eole a#o/! li+e !"a!6'

=( !"is !i1e s"e "a) *o/) "er wa( i!o a !i)( li!!le roo1 wi!" a !a#lei !"e wi)ow, a) o i! 2as s"e "a) "oe) a *a a) !wo or !"ree airso* !i( w"i!e +i) &loes- s"e !oo+ / !"e *a a) a air o* !"e &loes,a) was 9/s! &oi& !o leae !"e roo1, w"e "er e(e *ell /o a li!!le

#o!!le !"a! s!oo) ear !"e loo+i&$&lass. T"ere was o la#el !"is !i1ewi!" !"e wor)s 'DRIN8 ME,' #/! eer!"eless s"e /%or+e) i! a) /! i!!o "er lis. 'I +ow SOMETHIN; i!eres!i& is s/re !o "ae,' s"e sai)!o "ersel*, 'w"eeer I ea! or )ri+ a(!"i&5 so I'll 9/s! see w"a!

!"is #o!!le )oes. I )o "oe i!'ll 1a+e 1e &row lar&e a&ai, *or reall(I'1 7/i!e !ire) o* #ei& s/%" a !i( li!!le !"i&6'


15/73

I! )i) so i)ee), a) 1/%" sooer !"a s"e "a) e:e%!e)- #e*ore s"e "a))r/+ "al* !"e #o!!le, s"e *o/) "er "ea) ressi& a&ais! !"e %eili&,a) "a) !o s!oo !o sae "er e%+ *ro1 #ei& #ro+e. S"e "as!il( /!)ow !"e #o!!le, sa(i& !o "ersel* 'T"a!'s 7/i!e eo/&"$$I "oe I s"a'!&row a( 1ore$$As i! is, I %a'! &e! o/! a! !"e )oor$$I )o wis" I "a)'!

)r/+ 7/i!e so 1/%"6'

Alas6 i! was !oo la!e !o wis" !"a!6 S"e we! o &rowi&, a) &rowi&,a) er( soo "a) !o +eel )ow o !"e *loor- i ao!"er 1i/!e !"erewas o! ee roo1 *or !"is, a) s"e !rie) !"e e**e%! o* l(i& )ow wi!"oe el#ow a&ais! !"e )oor, a) !"e o!"er ar1 %/rle) ro/) "er "ea).S!ill s"e we! o &rowi&, a), as a las! reso/r%e, s"e /! oe ar1 o/!o* !"e wi)ow, a) oe *oo! / !"e %"i1e(, a) sai) !o "ersel* 'Now I%a )o o 1ore, w"a!eer "aes. W"a! WILL #e%o1e o* 1e'

L/%+il( *or Ali%e, !"e li!!le 1a&i% #o!!le "a) ow "a) i!s */ll e**e%!,

a) s"e &rew o lar&er- s!ill i! was er( /%o1*or!a#le, a), as !"eresee1e) !o #e o sor! o* %"a%e o* "er eer &e!!i& o/! o* !"e roo1a&ai, o wo)er s"e *el! /"a(.

'I! was 1/%" leasa!er a! "o1e,' !"o/&"! oor Ali%e, 'w"e oe was'!alwa(s &rowi& lar&er a) s1aller, a) #ei& or)ere) a#o/! #( 1i%e a)ra##i!s. I al1os! wis" I "a)'! &oe )ow !"a! ra##i!$"ole$$a) (e!$$a)(e!$$i!'s ra!"er %/rio/s, (o/ +ow, !"is sor! o* li*e6 I )o wo)er w"a!CAN "ae "aee) !o 1e6 W"e I /se) !o rea) *air($!ales, I *a%ie) !"a!+i) o* !"i& eer "aee), a) ow "ere I a1 i !"e 1i))le o* oe6T"ere o/&"! !o #e a #oo+ wri!!e a#o/! 1e, !"a! !"ere o/&"!6 A) w"e I&row /, I'll wri!e oe$$#/! I'1 &row / ow,' s"e a))e) i a sorrow*/l!oe5 'a! leas! !"ere's o roo1 !o &row / a( 1ore HERE.'

'=/! !"e,' !"o/&"! Ali%e, 's"all I NEVER &e! a( ol)er !"a I a1ow T"a!'ll #e a %o1*or!, oe wa($$eer !o #e a ol) wo1a$$#/!!"e$$alwa(s !o "ae lessos !o lear6 O", I s"o/l)'! li+e THAT6'

'O", (o/ *oolis" Ali%e6' s"e aswere) "ersel*. 'How %a (o/ learlessos i "ere W"(, !"ere's "ar)l( roo1 *or 4OU, a) o roo1 a! all*or a( lesso$#oo+s6'

A) so s"e we! o, !a+i& *irs! oe si)e a) !"e !"e o!"er, a) 1a+i&7/i!e a %oersa!io o* i! al!o&e!"er5 #/! a*!er a *ew 1i/!es s"e "ear)a oi%e o/!si)e, a) s!oe) !o lis!e.

'Mar( A6 Mar( A6' sai) !"e oi%e. 'Fe!%" 1e 1( &loes !"is 1o1e!6'T"e %a1e a li!!le a!!eri& o* *ee! o !"e s!airs. Ali%e +ew i! was!"e Ra##i! %o1i& !o loo+ *or "er, a) s"e !re1#le) !ill s"e s"oo+ !"e"o/se, 7/i!e *or&e!!i& !"a! s"e was ow a#o/! a !"o/sa) !i1es as lar&eas !"e Ra##i!, a) "a) o reaso !o #e a*rai) o* i!.

Prese!l( !"e Ra##i! %a1e / !o !"e )oor, a) !rie) !o oe i!5 #/!, as!"e )oor oee) iwar)s, a) Ali%e's el#ow was resse) "ar) a&ais! i!,!"a! a!!e1! roe) a *ail/re. Ali%e "ear) i! sa( !o i!sel* 'T"e I'll


16/73

&o ro/) a) &e! i a! !"e wi)ow.'

'THAT (o/ wo'!' !"o/&"! Ali%e, a), a*!er wai!i& !ill s"e *a%ie)s"e "ear) !"e Ra##i! 9/s! /)er !"e wi)ow, s"e s/))el( srea) o/! "er "a), a) 1a)e a sa!%" i !"e air. S"e )i) o! &e! "ol) o* a(!"i&,

#/! s"e "ear) a li!!le s"rie+ a) a *all, a) a %ras" o* #ro+e &lass,*ro1 w"i%" s"e %o%l/)e) !"a! i! was 9/s! ossi#le i! "a) *alle i!o a%/%/1#er$*ra1e, or so1e!"i& o* !"e sor!.

Ne:! %a1e a a&r( oi%e$$!"e Ra##i!'s$$'Pa!6 Pa!6 W"ere are (o/' A)!"e a oi%e s"e "a) eer "ear) #e*ore, 'S/re !"e I'1 "ere6 Di&&i&*or ales, (er "oo/r6'

'Di&&i& *or ales, i)ee)6' sai) !"e Ra##i! a&ril(. 'Here6 Co1e a)"el 1e o/! o* THIS6' 2So/)s o* 1ore #ro+e &lass.

'Now !ell 1e, Pa!, w"a!'s !"a! i !"e wi)ow'

'S/re, i!'s a ar1, (er "oo/r6' 2He roo/%e) i! 'arr/1.'

'A ar1, (o/ &oose6 W"o eer saw oe !"a! si>e W"(, i! *ills !"e w"olewi)ow6'

'S/re, i! )oes, (er "oo/r- #/! i!'s a ar1 *or all !"a!.'

'Well, i!'s &o! o #/siess !"ere, a! a( ra!e- &o a) !a+e i! awa(6'

T"ere was a lo& sile%e a*!er !"is, a) Ali%e %o/l) ol( "ear w"isersow a) !"e5 s/%" as, 'S/re, I )o'! li+e i!, (er "oo/r, a! all, a!all6' 'Do as I !ell (o/, (o/ %owar)6' a) a! las! s"e srea) o/! "er "a) a&ai, a) 1a)e ao!"er sa!%" i !"e air. T"is !i1e !"ere wereTWO li!!le s"rie+s, a) 1ore so/)s o* #ro+e &lass. 'W"a! a /1#er o* %/%/1#er$*ra1es !"ere 1/s! #e6' !"o/&"! Ali%e. 'I wo)er w"a! !"e('ll )oe:!6 As *or /lli& 1e o/! o* !"e wi)ow, I ol( wis" !"e( COULD6 I'1s/re I )o'! wa! !o s!a( i "ere a( lo&er6'

S"e wai!e) *or so1e !i1e wi!"o/! "eari& a(!"i& 1ore- a! las! %a1e a

r/1#li& o* li!!le %ar!w"eels, a) !"e so/) o* a &oo) 1a( oi%esall !al+i& !o&e!"er- s"e 1a)e o/! !"e wor)s- 'W"ere's !"e o!"er la))er$$W"(, I "a)'! !o #ri& #/! oe5 =ill's &o! !"e o!"er$$=ill6*e!%" i! "ere, la)6$$Here, /! 'e1 / a! !"is %orer$$No, !ie 'e1!o&e!"er *irs!$$!"e( )o'! rea%" "al* "i&" eo/&" (e!$$O"6 !"e('ll)o well eo/&"5 )o'! #e ar!i%/lar$$Here, =ill6 %a!%" "ol) o* !"isroe$$Will !"e roo* #ear$$Mi) !"a! loose sla!e$$O", i!'s %o1i&)ow6 Hea)s #elow6' 2a lo/) %ras"$$'Now, w"o )i) !"a!$$I! was =ill, I*a%($$W"o's !o &o )ow !"e %"i1e($$Na(, I s"a'!6 4OU )o i!6$$T"a! Iwo'!, !"e6$$=ill's !o &o )ow$$Here, =ill6 !"e 1as!er sa(s (o/'re !o&o )ow !"e %"i1e(6'

'O"6 So =ill's &o! !o %o1e )ow !"e %"i1e(, "as "e' sai) Ali%e !o"ersel*. 'S"(, !"e( see1 !o /! eer(!"i& /o =ill6 I wo/l)'! #e i


17/73

=ill's la%e *or a &oo) )eal- !"is *irela%e is arrow, !o #e s/re5 #/!I THIN8 I %a +i%+ a li!!le6'

S"e )rew "er *oo! as *ar )ow !"e %"i1e( as s"e %o/l), a) wai!e)!ill s"e "ear) a li!!le ai1al 2s"e %o/l)'! &/ess o* w"a! sor! i! was

s%ra!%"i& a) s%ra1#li& a#o/! i !"e %"i1e( %lose a#oe "er- !"e,sa(i& !o "ersel* 'T"is is =ill,' s"e &ae oe s"ar +i%+, a) wai!e) !osee w"a! wo/l) "ae e:!.

T"e *irs! !"i& s"e "ear) was a &eeral %"or/s o* 'T"ere &oes =ill6'!"e !"e Ra##i!'s oi%e alo&$$'Ca!%" "i1, (o/ #( !"e "e)&e6' !"esile%e, a) !"e ao!"er %o*/sio o* oi%es$$'Hol) / "is "ea)$$=ra)(ow$$Do'! %"o+e "i1$$How was i!, ol) *ellow W"a! "aee) !o (o/ Tell/s all a#o/! i!6'

Las! %a1e a li!!le *ee#le, s7/ea+i& oi%e, 2'T"a!'s =ill,' !"o/&"!

Ali%e, 'Well, I "ar)l( +ow$$No 1ore, !"a+ (e5 I'1 #e!!er ow$$#/! I'1a )eal !oo *l/s!ere) !o !ell (o/$$all I +ow is, so1e!"i& %o1es a! 1eli+e a a%+$i$!"e$#o:, a) / I &oes li+e a s+($ro%+e!6'

'So (o/ )i), ol) *ellow6' sai) !"e o!"ers.

'We 1/s! #/r !"e "o/se )ow6' sai) !"e Ra##i!'s oi%e5 a) Ali%e %alle)o/! as lo/) as s"e %o/l), 'I* (o/ )o. I'll se! Dia" a! (o/6'

T"ere was a )ea) sile%e is!a!l(, a) Ali%e !"o/&"! !o "ersel*, 'Iwo)er w"a! !"e( WILL )o e:!6 I* !"e( "a) a( sese, !"e(') !a+e !"eroo* o**.' A*!er a 1i/!e or !wo, !"e( #e&a 1oi& a#o/! a&ai, a)Ali%e "ear) !"e Ra##i! sa(, 'A #arrow*/l will )o, !o #e&i wi!".'

'A #arrow*/l o* WHAT' !"o/&"! Ali%e5 #/! s"e "a) o! lo& !o )o/#!,*or !"e e:! 1o1e! a s"ower o* li!!le e##les %a1e ra!!li& i a! !"ewi)ow, a) so1e o* !"e1 "i! "er i !"e *a%e. 'I'll /! a s!o !o !"is,'s"e sai) !o "ersel*, a) s"o/!e) o/!, '4o/') #e!!er o! )o !"a! a&ai6'w"i%" ro)/%e) ao!"er )ea) sile%e.

Ali%e o!i%e) wi!" so1e s/rrise !"a! !"e e##les were all !/ri& i!o

li!!le %a+es as !"e( la( o !"e *loor, a) a #ri&"! i)ea %a1e i!o "er "ea). 'I* I ea! oe o* !"ese %a+es,' s"e !"o/&"!, 'i!'s s/re !o 1a+eSOME %"a&e i 1( si>e5 a) as i! %a'! ossi#l( 1a+e 1e lar&er, i! 1/s!1a+e 1e s1aller, I s/ose.'

So s"e swallowe) oe o* !"e %a+es, a) was )eli&"!e) !o *i) !"a! s"e #e&a s"ri+i& )ire%!l(. As soo as s"e was s1all eo/&" !o &e! !"ro/&"!"e )oor, s"e ra o/! o* !"e "o/se, a) *o/) 7/i!e a %row) o* li!!leai1als a) #ir)s wai!i& o/!si)e. T"e oor li!!le Li>ar), =ill, wasi !"e 1i))le, #ei& "el) / #( !wo &/iea$i&s, w"o were &ii& i!so1e!"i& o/! o* a #o!!le. T"e( all 1a)e a r/s" a! Ali%e !"e 1o1e! s"e

aeare)5 #/! s"e ra o** as "ar) as s"e %o/l), a) soo *o/) "ersel* sa*e i a !"i%+ woo).


18/73

'T"e *irs! !"i& I'e &o! !o )o,' sai) Ali%e !o "ersel*, as s"e wa)ere)a#o/! i !"e woo), 'is !o &row !o 1( ri&"! si>e a&ai5 a) !"e se%o)!"i& is !o *i) 1( wa( i!o !"a! loel( &ar)e. I !"i+ !"a! will #e!"e #es! la.'

I! so/)e) a e:%elle! la, o )o/#!, a) er( ea!l( a) si1l(arra&e)5 !"e ol( )i**i%/l!( was, !"a! s"e "a) o! !"e s1alles! i)ea"ow !o se! a#o/! i!5 a) w"ile s"e was eeri& a#o/! a:io/sl( a1o&!"e !rees, a li!!le s"ar #ar+ 9/s! oer "er "ea) 1a)e "er loo+ / i a&rea! "/rr(.

A eor1o/s /( was loo+i& )ow a! "er wi!" lar&e ro/) e(es, a)*ee#l( s!re!%"i& o/! oe aw, !r(i& !o !o/%" "er. 'Poor li!!le !"i&6'sai) Ali%e, i a %oa:i& !oe, a) s"e !rie) "ar) !o w"is!le !o i!5 #/!s"e was !erri#l( *ri&"!ee) all !"e !i1e a! !"e !"o/&"! !"a! i! 1i&"! #e"/&r(, i w"i%" %ase i! wo/l) #e er( li+el( !o ea! "er / i si!e o*

all "er %oa:i&.

Har)l( +owi& w"a! s"e )i), s"e i%+e) / a li!!le #i! o* s!i%+, a)"el) i! o/! !o !"e /(5 w"ere/o !"e /( 9/1e) i!o !"e air o** all i!s *ee! a! o%e, wi!" a (el o* )eli&"!, a) r/s"e) a! !"e s!i%+,a) 1a)e #eliee !o worr( i!5 !"e Ali%e )o)&e) #e"i) a &rea! !"is!le,!o +ee "ersel* *ro1 #ei& r/ oer5 a) !"e 1o1e! s"e aeare) o !"eo!"er si)e, !"e /( 1a)e ao!"er r/s" a! !"e s!i%+, a) !/1#le) "ea)oer "eels i i!s "/rr( !o &e! "ol) o* i!5 !"e Ali%e, !"i+i& i! waser( li+e "ai& a &a1e o* la( wi!" a %ar!$"orse, a) e:e%!i& eer(1o1e! !o #e !ra1le) /)er i!s *ee!, ra ro/) !"e !"is!le a&ai5 !"e!"e /( #e&a a series o* s"or! %"ar&es a! !"e s!i%+, r/i& a er(li!!le wa( *orwar)s ea%" !i1e a) a lo& wa( #a%+, a) #ar+i& "oarsel(all !"e w"ile, !ill a! las! i! sa! )ow a &oo) wa( o**, a!i&, wi!"i!s !o&/e "a&i& o/! o* i!s 1o/!", a) i!s &rea! e(es "al* s"/!.

T"is see1e) !o Ali%e a &oo) oor!/i!( *or 1a+i& "er es%ae5 so s"ese! o** a! o%e, a) ra !ill s"e was 7/i!e !ire) a) o/! o* #rea!", a)!ill !"e /('s #ar+ so/)e) 7/i!e *ai! i !"e )is!a%e.

'A) (e! w"a! a )ear li!!le /( i! was6' sai) Ali%e, as s"e lea!

a&ais! a #/!!er%/ !o res! "ersel*, a) *ae) "ersel* wi!" oe o* !"eleaes- 'I s"o/l) "ae li+e) !ea%"i& i! !ri%+s er( 1/%", i*$$i* I')ol( #ee !"e ri&"! si>e !o )o i!6 O" )ear6 I') earl( *or&o!!e !"a!I'e &o! !o &row / a&ai6 Le! 1e see$$"ow IS i! !o #e 1aa&e) Is/ose I o/&"! !o ea! or )ri+ so1e!"i& or o!"er5 #/! !"e &rea!7/es!io is, w"a!'

T"e &rea! 7/es!io %er!ail( was, w"a! Ali%e loo+e) all ro/) "er a!!"e *lowers a) !"e #la)es o* &rass, #/! s"e )i) o! see a(!"i& !"a!loo+e) li+e !"e ri&"! !"i& !o ea! or )ri+ /)er !"e %ir%/1s!a%es.T"ere was a lar&e 1/s"roo1 &rowi& ear "er, a#o/! !"e sa1e "ei&"! as

"ersel*5 a) w"e s"e "a) loo+e) /)er i!, a) o #o!" si)es o* i!, a) #e"i) i!, i! o%%/rre) !o "er !"a! s"e 1i&"! as well loo+ a) see w"a!was o !"e !o o* i!.


19/73

S"e s!re!%"e) "ersel* / o !i!oe, a) eee) oer !"e e)&e o* !"e1/s"roo1, a) "er e(es i11e)ia!el( 1e! !"ose o* a lar&e %a!erillar,!"a! was si!!i& o !"e !o wi!" i!s ar1s *ol)e), 7/ie!l( s1o+i& a lo&"oo+a", a) !a+i& o! !"e s1alles! o!i%e o* "er or o* a(!"i& else.

CHAPTER V. A)i%e *ro1 a Ca!erillar

T"e Ca!erillar a) Ali%e loo+e) a! ea%" o!"er *or so1e !i1e i sile%e-a! las! !"e Ca!erillar !oo+ !"e "oo+a" o/! o* i!s 1o/!", a) a))resse)"er i a la&/i), slee( oi%e.

'W"o are 4OU' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

T"is was o! a e%o/ra&i& oei& *or a %oersa!io. Ali%e relie),ra!"er s"(l(, 'I$$I "ar)l( +ow, sir, 9/s! a! rese!$$a! leas! I +oww"o I WAS w"e I &o! / !"is 1ori&, #/! I !"i+ I 1/s! "ae #ee%"a&e) seeral !i1es si%e !"e.'

'W"a! )o (o/ 1ea #( !"a!' sai) !"e Ca!erillar s!erl(. 'E:lai(o/rsel*6'

'I %a'! e:lai M4SELF, I'1 a*rai), sir' sai) Ali%e, '#e%a/se I'1 o!1(sel*, (o/ see.'

'I )o'! see,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

'I'1 a*rai) I %a'! /! i! 1ore %learl(,' Ali%e relie) er( oli!el(,'*or I %a'! /)ers!a) i! 1(sel* !o #e&i wi!"5 a) #ei& so 1a()i**ere! si>es i a )a( is er( %o*/si&.'

'I! is'!,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

'Well, er"as (o/ "ae'! *o/) i! so (e!,' sai) Ali%e5 '#/! w"e (o/

"ae !o !/r i!o a %"r(salis$$(o/ will so1e )a(, (o/ +ow$$a) !"ea*!er !"a! i!o a #/!!er*l(, I s"o/l) !"i+ (o/'ll *eel i! a li!!le7/eer, wo'! (o/'

'No! a #i!,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

'Well, er"as (o/r *eeli&s 1a( #e )i**ere!,' sai) Ali%e5 'all I +owis, i! wo/l) *eel er( 7/eer !o ME.'

'4o/6' sai) !"e Ca!erillar %o!e1!/o/sl(. 'W"o are 4OU'

W"i%" #ro/&"! !"e1 #a%+ a&ai !o !"e #e&ii& o* !"e %oersa!io.Ali%e *el! a li!!le irri!a!e) a! !"e Ca!erillar's 1a+i& s/%" VER4s"or! re1ar+s, a) s"e )rew "ersel* / a) sai), er( &rael(, 'I !"i+,


20/73

(o/ o/&"! !o !ell 1e w"o 4OU are, *irs!.'

'W"(' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

Here was ao!"er />>li& 7/es!io5 a) as Ali%e %o/l) o! !"i+ o* a(

&oo) reaso, a) as !"e Ca!erillar see1e) !o #e i a VER4 /leasa!s!a!e o* 1i), s"e !/re) awa(.

'Co1e #a%+6' !"e Ca!erillar %alle) a*!er "er. 'I'e so1e!"i& i1or!a!!o sa(6'

T"is so/)e) ro1isi&, %er!ail(- Ali%e !/re) a) %a1e #a%+ a&ai.

'8ee (o/r !e1er,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

'Is !"a! all' sai) Ali%e, swallowi& )ow "er a&er as well as s"e

%o/l).

'No,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

Ali%e !"o/&"! s"e 1i&"! as well wai!, as s"e "a) o!"i& else !o )o, a) er"as a*!er all i! 1i&"! !ell "er so1e!"i& wor!" "eari&. For so1e1i/!es i! /**e) awa( wi!"o/! sea+i&, #/! a! las! i! /*ol)e) i!sar1s, !oo+ !"e "oo+a" o/! o* i!s 1o/!" a&ai, a) sai), 'So (o/ !"i+ (o/'re %"a&e), )o (o/'

'I'1 a*rai) I a1, sir,' sai) Ali%e5 'I %a'! re1e1#er !"i&s as I/se)$$a) I )o'! +ee !"e sa1e si>e *or !e 1i/!es !o&e!"er6'

'Ca'! re1e1#er WHAT !"i&s' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

'Well, I'e !rie) !o sa( ?HOW DOTH THE LITTLE =US4 =EE,? #/! i! all %a1e)i**ere!6' Ali%e relie) i a er( 1ela%"ol( oi%e.

'Reea!, ?4OU ARE OLD, FATHER WILLIAM,?' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

Ali%e *ol)e) "er "a)s, a) #e&a-$$

'4o/ are ol), Fa!"er Willia1,' !"e (o/& 1a sai), 'A) (o/r "air "as #e%o1e er( w"i!e5 A) (e! (o/ i%essa!l( s!a) o (o/r "ea)$$ Do (o/ !"i+, a! (o/r a&e, i! is ri&"!'

'I 1( (o/!",' Fa!"er Willia1 relie) !o "is so, 'I *eare) i! 1i&"! i9/re !"e #rai5 =/!, ow !"a! I'1 er*e%!l( s/re I "ae oe, W"(, I )o i! a&ai a) a&ai.'

'4o/ are ol),' sai) !"e (o/!", 'as I 1e!ioe) #e*ore, A) "ae &row 1os! /%o11ol( *a!5 4e! (o/ !/re) a #a%+$so1ersa/l! i a! !"e )oor$$


21/73

Pra(, w"a! is !"e reaso o* !"a!'

'I 1( (o/!",' sai) !"e sa&e, as "e s"oo+ "is &re( lo%+s, 'I +e! all 1( li1#s er( s/le =( !"e /se o* !"is oi!1e!$$oe s"illi& !"e #o:$$

Allow 1e !o sell (o/ a %o/le'

'4o/ are ol),' sai) !"e (o/!", 'a) (o/r 9aws are !oo wea+ For a(!"i& !o/&"er !"a s/e!5 4e! (o/ *iis"e) !"e &oose, wi!" !"e #oes a) !"e #ea+$$ Pra( "ow )i) (o/ 1aa&e !o )o i!'

'I 1( (o/!",' sai) "is *a!"er, 'I !oo+ !o !"e law, A) ar&/e) ea%" %ase wi!" 1( wi*e5 A) !"e 1/s%/lar s!re&!", w"i%" i! &ae !o 1( 9aw, Has las!e) !"e res! o* 1( li*e.'

'4o/ are ol),' sai) !"e (o/!", 'oe wo/l) "ar)l( s/ose T"a! (o/r e(e was as s!ea)( as eer5 4e! (o/ #ala%e) a eel o !"e e) o* (o/r ose$$ W"a! 1a)e (o/ so aw*/ll( %leer'

'I "ae aswere) !"ree 7/es!ios, a) !"a! is eo/&",' Sai) "is *a!"er5 ')o'! &ie (o/rsel* airs6 Do (o/ !"i+ I %a lis!e all )a( !o s/%" s!/** =e o**, or I'll +i%+ (o/ )ow s!airs6'

'T"a! is o! sai) ri&"!,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

'No! BUITE ri&"!, I'1 a*rai),' sai) Ali%e, !i1i)l(5 'so1e o* !"e wor)s"ae &o! al!ere).'

'I! is wro& *ro1 #e&ii& !o e),' sai) !"e Ca!erillar )e%i)e)l(, a)!"ere was sile%e *or so1e 1i/!es.

T"e Ca!erillar was !"e *irs! !o sea+.

'W"a! si>e )o (o/ wa! !o #e' i! as+e).

'O", I'1 o! ar!i%/lar as !o si>e,' Ali%e "as!il( relie)5 'ol( oe)oes'! li+e %"a&i& so o*!e, (o/ +ow.'

'I DON'T +ow,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

Ali%e sai) o!"i&- s"e "a) eer #ee so 1/%" %o!ra)i%!e) i "er li*e #e*ore, a) s"e *el! !"a! s"e was losi& "er !e1er.

'Are (o/ %o!e! ow' sai) !"e Ca!erillar.

'Well, I s"o/l) li+e !o #e a LITTLE lar&er, sir, i* (o/ wo/l)'! 1i),'


22/73

sai) Ali%e- '!"ree i%"es is s/%" a wre!%"e) "ei&"! !o #e.'

'I! is a er( &oo) "ei&"! i)ee)6' sai) !"e Ca!erillar a&ril(, reari&i!sel* /ri&"! as i! so+e 2i! was e:a%!l( !"ree i%"es "i&".

'=/! I'1 o! /se) !o i!6' lea)e) oor Ali%e i a i!eo/s !oe. A)s"e !"o/&"! o* "ersel*, 'I wis" !"e %rea!/res wo/l)'! #e so easil(o**e)e)6'

'4o/'ll &e! /se) !o i! i !i1e,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar5 a) i! /! !"e"oo+a" i!o i!s 1o/!" a) #e&a s1o+i& a&ai.

T"is !i1e Ali%e wai!e) a!ie!l( /!il i! %"ose !o sea+ a&ai. Ia 1i/!e or !wo !"e Ca!erillar !oo+ !"e "oo+a" o/! o* i!s 1o/!"a) (awe) o%e or !wi%e, a) s"oo+ i!sel*. T"e i! &o! )ow o** !"e1/s"roo1, a) %rawle) awa( i !"e &rass, 1erel( re1ar+i& as i! we!,

'Oe si)e will 1a+e (o/ &row !aller, a) !"e o!"er si)e will 1a+e (o/&row s"or!er.'

'Oe si)e o* WHAT T"e o!"er si)e o* WHAT' !"o/&"! Ali%e !o "ersel*.

'O* !"e 1/s"roo1,' sai) !"e Ca!erillar, 9/s! as i* s"e "a) as+e) i!alo/)5 a) i ao!"er 1o1e! i! was o/! o* si&"!.

Ali%e re1aie) loo+i& !"o/&"!*/ll( a! !"e 1/s"roo1 *or a 1i/!e, !r(i&!o 1a+e o/! w"i%" were !"e !wo si)es o* i!5 a) as i! was er*e%!l(ro/), s"e *o/) !"is a er( )i**i%/l! 7/es!io. Howeer, a! las! s"es!re!%"e) "er ar1s ro/) i! as *ar as !"e( wo/l) &o, a) #ro+e o** a #i!o* !"e e)&e wi!" ea%" "a).

'A) ow w"i%" is w"i%"' s"e sai) !o "ersel*, a) i##le) a li!!le o* !"e ri&"!$"a) #i! !o !r( !"e e**e%!- !"e e:! 1o1e! s"e *el! a iole!

#low /)erea!" "er %"i- i! "a) s!r/%+ "er *oo!6

S"e was a &oo) )eal *ri&"!ee) #( !"is er( s/))e %"a&e, #/! s"e *el!!"a! !"ere was o !i1e !o #e los!, as s"e was s"ri+i& rai)l(5 so s"ese! !o wor+ a! o%e !o ea! so1e o* !"e o!"er #i!. Her %"i was resse)

so %losel( a&ais! "er *oo!, !"a! !"ere was "ar)l( roo1 !o oe "er 1o/!"5 #/! s"e )i) i! a! las!, a) 1aa&e) !o swallow a 1orsel o* !"ele*!"a) #i!.

@ @ @ @ @ @ @

@ @ @ @ @ @

@ @ @ @ @ @ @

'Co1e, 1( "ea)'s *ree a! las!6' sai) Ali%e i a !oe o* )eli&"!, w"i%"%"a&e) i!o alar1 i ao!"er 1o1e!, w"e s"e *o/) !"a! "er s"o/l)erswere ow"ere !o #e *o/)- all s"e %o/l) see, w"e s"e loo+e) )ow, was


23/73

a i11ese le&!" o* e%+, w"i%" see1e) !o rise li+e a s!al+ o/! o* asea o* &ree leaes !"a! la( *ar #elow "er.

'W"a! CAN all !"a! &ree s!/** #e' sai) Ali%e. 'A) w"ere HAVE 1(s"o/l)ers &o! !o A) o", 1( oor "a)s, "ow is i! I %a'! see (o/'

S"e was 1oi& !"e1 a#o/! as s"e so+e, #/! o res/l! see1e) !o *ollow,e:%e! a li!!le s"a+i& a1o& !"e )is!a! &ree leaes.

As !"ere see1e) !o #e o %"a%e o* &e!!i& "er "a)s / !o "er "ea), s"e!rie) !o &e! "er "ea) )ow !o !"e1, a) was )eli&"!e) !o *i) !"a! "er e%+ wo/l) #e) a#o/! easil( i a( )ire%!io, li+e a sere!. S"e "a)

9/s! s/%%ee)e) i %/ri& i! )ow i!o a &ra%e*/l >i&>a&, a) was &oi&!o )ie i a1o& !"e leaes, w"i%" s"e *o/) !o #e o!"i& #/! !"e !oso* !"e !rees /)er w"i%" s"e "a) #ee wa)eri&, w"e a s"ar "iss 1a)e"er )raw #a%+ i a "/rr(- a lar&e i&eo "a) *low i!o "er *a%e, a)was #ea!i& "er iole!l( wi!" i!s wi&s.

'Sere!6' s%rea1e) !"e Pi&eo.

'I'1 NOT a sere!6' sai) Ali%e i)i&a!l(. 'Le! 1e aloe6'

'Sere!, I sa( a&ai6' reea!e) !"e Pi&eo, #/! i a 1ore s/#)/e) !oe,a) a))e) wi!" a +i) o* so#, 'I'e !rie) eer( wa(, a) o!"i& see1s!o s/i! !"e16'

'I "ae'! !"e leas! i)ea w"a! (o/'re !al+i& a#o/!,' sai) Ali%e.

'I'e !rie) !"e roo!s o* !rees, a) I'e !rie) #a+s, a) I'e !rie)"e)&es,' !"e Pi&eo we! o, wi!"o/! a!!e)i& !o "er5 '#/! !"osesere!s6 T"ere's o leasi& !"e16'

Ali%e was 1ore a) 1ore />>le), #/! s"e !"o/&"! !"ere was o /se isa(i& a(!"i& 1ore !ill !"e Pi&eo "a) *iis"e).

'As i* i! was'! !ro/#le eo/&" "a!%"i& !"e e&&s,' sai) !"e Pi&eo5'#/! I 1/s! #e o !"e loo+$o/! *or sere!s i&"! a) )a(6 W"(, I"ae'! "a) a wi+ o* slee !"ese !"ree wee+s6'

'I'1 er( sorr( (o/'e #ee ao(e),' sai) Ali%e, w"o was #e&ii& !osee i!s 1eai&.

'A) 9/s! as I') !a+e !"e "i&"es! !ree i !"e woo),' %o!i/e) !"ePi&eo, raisi& i!s oi%e !o a s"rie+, 'a) 9/s! as I was !"i+i& Is"o/l) #e *ree o* !"e1 a! las!, !"e( 1/s! ee)s %o1e wri&&li& )ow *ro1!"e s+(6 U&", Sere!6'

'=/! I'1 NOT a sere!, I !ell (o/6' sai) Ali%e. 'I'1 a$$I'1 a$$'

'Well6 WHAT are (o/' sai) !"e Pi&eo. 'I %a see (o/'re !r(i& !oie! so1e!"i&6'


24/73

'I$$I'1 a li!!le &irl,' sai) Ali%e, ra!"er )o/#!*/ll(, as s"e re1e1#ere)!"e /1#er o* %"a&es s"e "a) &oe !"ro/&" !"a! )a(.

'A li+el( s!or( i)ee)6' sai) !"e Pi&eo i a !oe o* !"e )eees!%o!e1!. 'I'e see a &oo) 1a( li!!le &irls i 1( !i1e, #/! eer ONE

wi!" s/%" a e%+ as !"a!6 No, o6 4o/'re a sere!5 a) !"ere's o /se)e(i& i!. I s/ose (o/'ll #e !elli& 1e e:! !"a! (o/ eer !as!e) ae&&6'

'I HAVE !as!e) e&&s, %er!ail(,' sai) Ali%e, w"o was a er( !r/!"*/l%"il)5 '#/! li!!le &irls ea! e&&s 7/i!e as 1/%" as sere!s )o, (o/+ow.'

'I )o'! #eliee i!,' sai) !"e Pi&eo5 '#/! i* !"e( )o, w"( !"e !"e('rea +i) o* sere!, !"a!'s all I %a sa(.'

T"is was s/%" a ew i)ea !o Ali%e, !"a! s"e was 7/i!e sile! *or a1i/!e or !wo, w"i%" &ae !"e Pi&eo !"e oor!/i!( o* a))i&, '4o/'reloo+i& *or e&&s, I +ow THAT well eo/&"5 a) w"a! )oes i! 1a!!er !o 1ew"e!"er (o/'re a li!!le &irl or a sere!'

'I! 1a!!ers a &oo) )eal !o ME,' sai) Ali%e "as!il(5 '#/! I'1 o! loo+i&*or e&&s, as i! "aes5 a) i* I was, I s"o/l)'! wa! 4OURS- I )o'!li+e !"e1 raw.'

'Well, #e o**, !"e6' sai) !"e Pi&eo i a s/l+( !oe, as i! se!!le))ow a&ai i!o i!s es!. Ali%e %ro/%"e) )ow a1o& !"e !rees as well ass"e %o/l), *or "er e%+ +e! &e!!i& e!a&le) a1o& !"e #ra%"es, a)eer( ow a) !"e s"e "a) !o s!o a) /!wis! i!. A*!er a w"ile s"ere1e1#ere) !"a! s"e s!ill "el) !"e ie%es o* 1/s"roo1 i "er "a)s, a)s"e se! !o wor+ er( %are*/ll(, i##li& *irs! a! oe a) !"e a! !"eo!"er, a) &rowi& so1e!i1es !aller a) so1e!i1es s"or!er, /!il s"e "a)s/%%ee)e) i #ri&i& "ersel* )ow !o "er /s/al "ei&"!.

I! was so lo& si%e s"e "a) #ee a(!"i& ear !"e ri&"! si>e, !"a! i!*el! 7/i!e s!ra&e a! *irs!5 #/! s"e &o! /se) !o i! i a *ew 1i/!es,a) #e&a !al+i& !o "ersel*, as /s/al. 'Co1e, !"ere's "al* 1( la )oe

ow6 How />>li& all !"ese %"a&es are6 I'1 eer s/re w"a! I'1 &oi&!o #e, *ro1 oe 1i/!e !o ao!"er6 Howeer, I'e &o! #a%+ !o 1( ri&"!si>e- !"e e:! !"i& is, !o &e! i!o !"a! #ea/!i*/l &ar)e$$"ow IS !"a!!o #e )oe, I wo)er' As s"e sai) !"is, s"e %a1e s/))el( /o a oe

la%e, wi!" a li!!le "o/se i i! a#o/! *o/r *ee! "i&". 'W"oeer lies!"ere,' !"o/&"! Ali%e, 'i!'ll eer )o !o %o1e /o !"e1 THIS si>e- w"(,I s"o/l) *ri&"!e !"e1 o/! o* !"eir wi!s6' So s"e #e&a i##li& a! !"eri&"!"a) #i! a&ai, a) )i) o! e!/re !o &o ear !"e "o/se !ill s"e"a) #ro/&"! "ersel* )ow !o ie i%"es "i&".

CHAPTER VI. Pi& a) Peer


25/73

For a 1i/!e or !wo s"e s!oo) loo+i& a! !"e "o/se, a) wo)eri& w"a!!o )o e:!, w"e s/))el( a *oo!1a i lier( %a1e r/i& o/! o* !"ewoo)$$2s"e %osi)ere) "i1 !o #e a *oo!1a #e%a/se "e was i lier(-o!"erwise, 9/)&i& #( "is *a%e ol(, s"e wo/l) "ae %alle) "i1 a

*is"$$a) rae) lo/)l( a! !"e )oor wi!" "is +/%+les. I! was oee) #( ao!"er *oo!1a i lier(, wi!" a ro/) *a%e, a) lar&e e(es li+e a*ro&5 a) #o!" *oo!1e, Ali%e o!i%e), "a) ow)ere) "air !"a! %/rle) alloer !"eir "ea)s. S"e *el! er( %/rio/s !o +ow w"a! i! was all a#o/!,a) %re! a li!!le wa( o/! o* !"e woo) !o lis!e.

T"e Fis"$Foo!1a #e&a #( ro)/%i& *ro1 /)er "is ar1 a &rea! le!!er,earl( as lar&e as "i1sel*, a) !"is "e "a)e) oer !o !"e o!"er,sa(i&, i a sole1 !oe, 'For !"e D/%"ess. A ii!a!io *ro1 !"e B/ee!o la( %ro7/e!.' T"e Fro&$Foo!1a reea!e), i !"e sa1e sole1 !oe,ol( %"a&i& !"e or)er o* !"e wor)s a li!!le, 'Fro1 !"e B/ee. A

ii!a!io *or !"e D/%"ess !o la( %ro7/e!.'

T"e !"e( #o!" #owe) low, a) !"eir %/rls &o! e!a&le) !o&e!"er.

Ali%e la/&"e) so 1/%" a! !"is, !"a! s"e "a) !o r/ #a%+ i!o !"ewoo) *or *ear o* !"eir "eari& "er5 a) w"e s"e e:! eee) o/! !"eFis"$Foo!1a was &oe, a) !"e o!"er was si!!i& o !"e &ro/) ear !"e)oor, s!ari& s!/i)l( / i!o !"e s+(.

Ali%e we! !i1i)l( / !o !"e )oor, a) +o%+e).

'T"ere's o sor! o* /se i +o%+i&,' sai) !"e Foo!1a, 'a) !"a! *or !wo reasos. Firs!, #e%a/se I'1 o !"e sa1e si)e o* !"e )oor as (o/are5 se%o)l(, #e%a/se !"e('re 1a+i& s/%" a oise isi)e, o oe %o/l)

ossi#l( "ear (o/.' A) %er!ail( !"ere was a 1os! e:!raor)iar( oise&oi& o wi!"i$$a %os!a! "owli& a) see>i&, a) eer( ow a) !"ea &rea! %ras", as i* a )is" or +e!!le "a) #ee #ro+e !o ie%es.

'Please, !"e,' sai) Ali%e, '"ow a1 I !o &e! i'

'T"ere 1i&"! #e so1e sese i (o/r +o%+i&,' !"e Foo!1a we! o

wi!"o/! a!!e)i& !o "er, 'i* we "a) !"e )oor #e!wee /s. For is!a%e,i* (o/ were INSIDE, (o/ 1i&"! +o%+, a) I %o/l) le! (o/ o/!, (o/ +ow.'He was loo+i& / i!o !"e s+( all !"e !i1e "e was sea+i&, a) !"isAli%e !"o/&"! )e%i)e)l( /%iil. '=/! er"as "e %a'! "el i!,' s"esai) !o "ersel*5 '"is e(es are so VER4 earl( a! !"e !o o* "is "ea).=/! a! a( ra!e "e 1i&"! aswer 7/es!ios.$$How a1 I !o &e! i' s"ereea!e), alo/).

'I s"all si! "ere,' !"e Foo!1a re1ar+e), '!ill !o1orrow$$'

A! !"is 1o1e! !"e )oor o* !"e "o/se oee), a) a lar&e la!e %a1e

s+i11i& o/!, s!rai&"! a! !"e Foo!1a's "ea)- i! 9/s! &ra>e) "is ose,a) #ro+e !o ie%es a&ais! oe o* !"e !rees #e"i) "i1.


26/73

'$$or e:! )a(, 1a(#e,' !"e Foo!1a %o!i/e) i !"e sa1e !oe, e:a%!l(as i* o!"i& "a) "aee).

'How a1 I !o &e! i' as+e) Ali%e a&ai, i a lo/)er !oe.

'ARE (o/ !o &e! i a! all' sai) !"e Foo!1a. 'T"a!'s !"e *irs!7/es!io, (o/ +ow.'

I! was, o )o/#!- ol( Ali%e )i) o! li+e !o #e !ol) so. 'I!'s reall()rea)*/l,' s"e 1/!!ere) !o "ersel*, '!"e wa( all !"e %rea!/res ar&/e.I!'s eo/&" !o )rie oe %ra>(6'

T"e Foo!1a see1e) !o !"i+ !"is a &oo) oor!/i!( *or reea!i& "isre1ar+, wi!" aria!ios. 'I s"all si! "ere,' "e sai), 'o a) o**, *or )a(s a) )a(s.'

'=/! w"a! a1 I !o )o' sai) Ali%e.

'A(!"i& (o/ li+e,' sai) !"e Foo!1a, a) #e&a w"is!li&.

'O", !"ere's o /se i !al+i& !o "i1,' sai) Ali%e )esera!el(- '"e's er*e%!l( i)io!i%6' A) s"e oee) !"e )oor a) we! i.

T"e )oor le) ri&"! i!o a lar&e +i!%"e, w"i%" was */ll o* s1o+e *ro1oe e) !o !"e o!"er- !"e D/%"ess was si!!i& o a !"ree$le&&e) s!ool i!"e 1i))le, /rsi& a #a#(5 !"e %oo+ was leai& oer !"e *ire, s!irri&a lar&e %a/l)ro w"i%" see1e) !o #e */ll o* so/.

'T"ere's %er!ail( !oo 1/%" eer i !"a! so/6' Ali%e sai) !o "ersel*,as well as s"e %o/l) *or see>i&.

T"ere was %er!ail( !oo 1/%" o* i! i !"e air. Ee !"e D/%"esssee>e) o%%asioall(5 a) as *or !"e #a#(, i! was see>i& a) "owli&al!era!el( wi!"o/! a 1o1e!'s a/se. T"e ol( !"i&s i !"e +i!%"e!"a! )i) o! see>e, were !"e %oo+, a) a lar&e %a! w"i%" was si!!i& o!"e "ear!" a) &rii& *ro1 ear !o ear.

'Please wo/l) (o/ !ell 1e,' sai) Ali%e, a li!!le !i1i)l(, *or s"e waso! 7/i!e s/re w"e!"er i! was &oo) 1aers *or "er !o sea+ *irs!, 'w"((o/r %a! &ris li+e !"a!'

'I!'s a C"es"ire %a!,' sai) !"e D/%"ess, 'a) !"a!'s w"(. Pi&6'

S"e sai) !"e las! wor) wi!" s/%" s/))e iole%e !"a! Ali%e 7/i!e 9/1e)5 #/! s"e saw i ao!"er 1o1e! !"a! i! was a))resse) !o !"e #a#(,a) o! !o "er, so s"e !oo+ %o/ra&e, a) we! o a&ai-$$

'I )i)'! +ow !"a! C"es"ire %a!s alwa(s &rie)5 i *a%!, I )i)'! +ow

!"a! %a!s COULD &ri.'

'T"e( all %a,' sai) !"e D/%"ess5 'a) 1os! o* 'e1 )o.'


27/73

'I )o'! +ow o* a( !"a! )o,' Ali%e sai) er( oli!el(, *eeli& 7/i!e lease) !o "ae &o! i!o a %oersa!io.

'4o/ )o'! +ow 1/%",' sai) !"e D/%"ess5 'a) !"a!'s a *a%!.'

Ali%e )i) o! a! all li+e !"e !oe o* !"is re1ar+, a) !"o/&"! i! wo/l) #e as well !o i!ro)/%e so1e o!"er s/#9e%! o* %oersa!io. W"ile s"ewas !r(i& !o *i: o oe, !"e %oo+ !oo+ !"e %a/l)ro o* so/ o** !"e*ire, a) a! o%e se! !o wor+ !"rowi& eer(!"i& wi!"i "er rea%" a!!"e D/%"ess a) !"e #a#($$!"e *ire$iros %a1e *irs!5 !"e *ollowe) as"ower o* sa/%eas, la!es, a) )is"es. T"e D/%"ess !oo+ o o!i%e o* !"e1 ee w"e !"e( "i! "er5 a) !"e #a#( was "owli& so 1/%" alrea)(,!"a! i! was 7/i!e i1ossi#le !o sa( w"e!"er !"e #lows "/r! i! or o!.

'O", PLEASE 1i) w"a! (o/'re )oi&6' %rie) Ali%e, 9/1i& / a) )ow i

a a&o( o* !error. 'O", !"ere &oes "is PRECIOUS ose'5 as a //s/all(lar&e sa/%ea *lew %lose #( i!, a) er( earl( %arrie) i! o**.

'I* eer(#o)( 1i)e) !"eir ow #/siess,' !"e D/%"ess sai) i a "oarse&rowl, '!"e worl) wo/l) &o ro/) a )eal *as!er !"a i! )oes.'

'W"i%" wo/l) NOT #e a a)a!a&e,' sai) Ali%e, w"o *el! er( &la) !o &e!a oor!/i!( o* s"owi& o** a li!!le o* "er +owle)&e. '/s! !"i+ o* w"a! wor+ i! wo/l) 1a+e wi!" !"e )a( a) i&"!6 4o/ see !"e ear!" !a+es!we!($*o/r "o/rs !o !/r ro/) o i!s a:is$$'

'Tal+i& o* a:es,' sai) !"e D/%"ess, '%"o o** "er "ea)6'

Ali%e &la%e) ra!"er a:io/sl( a! !"e %oo+, !o see i* s"e 1ea! !o !a+e!"e "i!5 #/! !"e %oo+ was #/sil( s!irri& !"e so/, a) see1e) o! !o

#e lis!ei&, so s"e we! o a&ai- 'Twe!($*o/r "o/rs, I THIN85 or isi! !wele I$$'

'O", )o'! #o!"er ME,' sai) !"e D/%"ess5 'I eer %o/l) a#i)e *i&/res6'A) wi!" !"a! s"e #e&a /rsi& "er %"il) a&ai, si&i& a sor! o* l/lla#( !o i! as s"e )i) so, a) &ii& i! a iole! s"a+e a! !"e e) o*

eer( lie-

'Sea+ ro/&"l( !o (o/r li!!le #o(, A) #ea! "i1 w"e "e see>es- He ol( )oes i! !o ao(, =e%a/se "e +ows i! !eases.'

CHORUS.

2I w"i%" !"e %oo+ a) !"e #a#( 9oie)-$$

'Wow6 wow6 wow6'

W"ile !"e D/%"ess sa& !"e se%o) erse o* !"e so&, s"e +e! !ossi&


28/73

!"e #a#( iole!l( / a) )ow, a) !"e oor li!!le !"i& "owle) so,!"a! Ali%e %o/l) "ar)l( "ear !"e wor)s-$$

'I sea+ seerel( !o 1( #o(, I #ea! "i1 w"e "e see>es5

For "e %a !"oro/&"l( e9o( T"e eer w"e "e leases6'

CHORUS.

'Wow6 wow6 wow6'

'Here6 (o/ 1a( /rse i! a #i!, i* (o/ li+e6' !"e D/%"ess sai) !o Ali%e,*li&i& !"e #a#( a! "er as s"e so+e. 'I 1/s! &o a) &e! rea)( !o la(%ro7/e! wi!" !"e B/ee,' a) s"e "/rrie) o/! o* !"e roo1. T"e %oo+ !"rewa *r(i&$a a*!er "er as s"e we! o/!, #/! i! 9/s! 1isse) "er.

Ali%e %a/&"! !"e #a#( wi!" so1e )i**i%/l!(, as i! was a 7/eer$s"ae)li!!le %rea!/re, a) "el) o/! i!s ar1s a) le&s i all )ire%!ios, '9/s!li+e a s!ar$*is",' !"o/&"! Ali%e. T"e oor li!!le !"i& was sor!i&li+e a s!ea1$e&ie w"e s"e %a/&"! i!, a) +e! )o/#li& i!sel* / a)s!rai&"!ei& i!sel* o/! a&ai, so !"a! al!o&e!"er, *or !"e *irs! 1i/!eor !wo, i! was as 1/%" as s"e %o/l) )o !o "ol) i!.

As soo as s"e "a) 1a)e o/! !"e roer wa( o* /rsi& i!, 2w"i%" was !o!wis! i! / i!o a sor! o* +o!, a) !"e +ee !i&"! "ol) o* i!s ri&"!ear a) le*! *oo!, so as !o ree! i!s /)oi& i!sel*, s"e %arrie)i! o/! i!o !"e oe air. 'IF I )o'! !a+e !"is %"il) awa( wi!" 1e,'!"o/&"! Ali%e, '!"e('re s/re !o +ill i! i a )a( or !wo- wo/l)'! i! #e1/r)er !o leae i! #e"i)' S"e sai) !"e las! wor)s o/! lo/), a) !"eli!!le !"i& &r/!e) i rel( 2i! "a) le*! o** see>i& #( !"is !i1e.'Do'! &r/!,' sai) Ali%e5 '!"a!'s o! a! all a roer wa( o* e:ressi&(o/rsel*.'

T"e #a#( &r/!e) a&ai, a) Ali%e loo+e) er( a:io/sl( i!o i!s *a%e !osee w"a! was !"e 1a!!er wi!" i!. T"ere %o/l) #e o )o/#! !"a! i! "a)a VER4 !/r$/ ose, 1/%" 1ore li+e a so/! !"a a real ose5 also i!s

e(es were &e!!i& e:!re1el( s1all *or a #a#(- al!o&e!"er Ali%e )i) o!li+e !"e loo+ o* !"e !"i& a! all. '=/! er"as i! was ol( so##i&,'s"e !"o/&"!, a) loo+e) i!o i!s e(es a&ai, !o see i* !"ere were a(!ears.

No, !"ere were o !ears. 'I* (o/'re &oi& !o !/r i!o a i&, 1( )ear,'sai) Ali%e, serio/sl(, 'I'll "ae o!"i& 1ore !o )o wi!" (o/. Mi)ow6' T"e oor li!!le !"i& so##e) a&ai 2or &r/!e), i! was i1ossi#le!o sa( w"i%", a) !"e( we! o *or so1e w"ile i sile%e.

Ali%e was 9/s! #e&ii& !o !"i+ !o "ersel*, 'Now, w"a! a1 I !o )o wi!"

!"is %rea!/re w"e I &e! i! "o1e' w"e i! &r/!e) a&ai, so iole!l(,!"a! s"e loo+e) )ow i!o i!s *a%e i so1e alar1. T"is !i1e !"ere %o/l)

#e NO 1is!a+e a#o/! i!- i! was ei!"er 1ore or less !"a a i&, a) s"e


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*el! !"a! i! wo/l) #e 7/i!e a#s/r) *or "er !o %arr( i! */r!"er.

So s"e se! !"e li!!le %rea!/re )ow, a) *el! 7/i!e reliee) !o seei! !ro! awa( 7/ie!l( i!o !"e woo). 'I* i! "a) &row /,' s"e sai)!o "ersel*, 'i! wo/l) "ae 1a)e a )rea)*/ll( /&l( %"il)- #/! i! 1a+es

ra!"er a "a)so1e i&, I !"i+.' A) s"e #e&a !"i+i& oer o!"er %"il)re s"e +ew, w"o 1i&"! )o er( well as i&s, a) was 9/s! sa(i&!o "ersel*, 'i* oe ol( +ew !"e ri&"! wa( !o %"a&e !"e1$$' w"e s"ewas a li!!le s!ar!le) #( seei& !"e C"es"ire Ca! si!!i& o a #o/&" o* a!ree a *ew (ar)s o**.

T"e Ca! ol( &rie) w"e i! saw Ali%e. I! loo+e) &oo)$a!/re), s"e!"o/&"!- s!ill i! "a) VER4 lo& %laws a) a &rea! 1a( !ee!", so s"e*el! !"a! i! o/&"! !o #e !rea!e) wi!" rese%!.

'C"es"ire P/ss,' s"e #e&a, ra!"er !i1i)l(, as s"e )i) o! a! all +ow

w"e!"er i! wo/l) li+e !"e a1e- "oweer, i! ol( &rie) a li!!le wi)er.'Co1e, i!'s lease) so *ar,' !"o/&"! Ali%e, a) s"e we! o. 'Wo/l) (o/!ell 1e, lease, w"i%" wa( I o/&"! !o &o *ro1 "ere'

'T"a! )ee)s a &oo) )eal o w"ere (o/ wa! !o &e! !o,' sai) !"e Ca!.

'I )o'! 1/%" %are w"ere$$' sai) Ali%e.

'T"e i! )oes'! 1a!!er w"i%" wa( (o/ &o,' sai) !"e Ca!.

'$$so lo& as I &e! SOMEWHERE,' Ali%e a))e) as a e:laa!io.

'O", (o/'re s/re !o )o !"a!,' sai) !"e Ca!, 'i* (o/ ol( wal+ lo&eo/&".'

Ali%e *el! !"a! !"is %o/l) o! #e )eie), so s"e !rie) ao!"er 7/es!io.'W"a! sor! o* eole lie a#o/! "ere'

'I THAT )ire%!io,' !"e Ca! sai), wai& i!s ri&"! aw ro/), 'liesa Ha!!er- a) i THAT )ire%!io,' wai& !"e o!"er aw, 'lies a Mar%"Hare. Visi! ei!"er (o/ li+e- !"e('re #o!" 1a).'

'=/! I )o'! wa! !o &o a1o& 1a) eole,' Ali%e re1ar+e).

'O", (o/ %a'! "el !"a!,' sai) !"e Ca!- 'we're all 1a) "ere. I'1 1a).4o/'re 1a).'

'How )o (o/ +ow I'1 1a)' sai) Ali%e.

'4o/ 1/s! #e,' sai) !"e Ca!, 'or (o/ wo/l)'! "ae %o1e "ere.'

Ali%e )i)'! !"i+ !"a! roe) i! a! all5 "oweer, s"e we! o 'A) "ow

)o (o/ +ow !"a! (o/'re 1a)'

'To #e&i wi!",' sai) !"e Ca!, 'a )o&'s o! 1a). 4o/ &ra! !"a!'


30/73


31/73

%"i1e(s were s"ae) li+e ears a) !"e roo* was !"a!%"e) wi!" */r. I!was so lar&e a "o/se, !"a! s"e )i) o! li+e !o &o earer !ill s"e "a)i##le) so1e 1ore o* !"e le*!"a) #i! o* 1/s"roo1, a) raise) "ersel* !oa#o/! !wo *ee! "i&"- ee !"e s"e wal+e) / !owar)s i! ra!"er !i1i)l(,sa(i& !o "ersel* 'S/ose i! s"o/l) #e rai& 1a) a*!er all6 I al1os!

wis" I') &oe !o see !"e Ha!!er is!ea)6'

CHAPTER VII. A Ma) Tea$Par!(

T"ere was a !a#le se! o/! /)er a !ree i *ro! o* !"e "o/se, a) !"eMar%" Hare a) !"e Ha!!er were "ai& !ea a! i!- a Dor1o/se was si!!i&

#e!wee !"e1, *as! aslee, a) !"e o!"er !wo were /si& i! as a%/s"io, res!i& !"eir el#ows o i!, a) !al+i& oer i!s "ea). 'Ver(

/%o1*or!a#le *or !"e Dor1o/se,' !"o/&"! Ali%e5 'ol(, as i!'s aslee, Is/ose i! )oes'! 1i).'

T"e !a#le was a lar&e oe, #/! !"e !"ree were all %row)e) !o&e!"er a!oe %orer o* i!- 'No roo16 No roo16' !"e( %rie) o/! w"e !"e( saw Ali%e%o1i&. 'T"ere's PLENT4 o* roo16' sai) Ali%e i)i&a!l(, a) s"e sa!)ow i a lar&e ar1$%"air a! oe e) o* !"e !a#le.

'Hae so1e wie,' !"e Mar%" Hare sai) i a e%o/ra&i& !oe.

Ali%e loo+e) all ro/) !"e !a#le, #/! !"ere was o!"i& o i! #/! !ea.'I )o'! see a( wie,' s"e re1ar+e).

'T"ere is'! a(,' sai) !"e Mar%" Hare.

'T"e i! was'! er( %iil o* (o/ !o o**er i!,' sai) Ali%e a&ril(.

'I! was'! er( %iil o* (o/ !o si! )ow wi!"o/! #ei& ii!e),' sai)!"e Mar%" Hare.

'I )i)'! +ow i! was 4OUR !a#le,' sai) Ali%e5 'i!'s lai) *or a &rea!

1a( 1ore !"a !"ree.'

'4o/r "air wa!s %/!!i&,' sai) !"e Ha!!er. He "a) #ee loo+i& a! Ali%e*or so1e !i1e wi!" &rea! %/riosi!(, a) !"is was "is *irs! see%".

'4o/ s"o/l) lear o! !o 1a+e ersoal re1ar+s,' Ali%e sai) wi!" so1eseeri!(5 'i!'s er( r/)e.'

T"e Ha!!er oee) "is e(es er( wi)e o "eari& !"is5 #/! all "e SAIDwas, 'W"( is a rae li+e a wri!i&$)es+'

'Co1e, we s"all "ae so1e */ ow6' !"o/&"! Ali%e. 'I'1 &la) !"e('e #e&/ as+i& ri))les.$$I #eliee I %a &/ess !"a!,' s"e a))e) alo/).


32/73

'Do (o/ 1ea !"a! (o/ !"i+ (o/ %a *i) o/! !"e aswer !o i!' sai) !"eMar%" Hare.

'E:a%!l( so,' sai) Ali%e.

'T"e (o/ s"o/l) sa( w"a! (o/ 1ea,' !"e Mar%" Hare we! o.

'I )o,' Ali%e "as!il( relie)5 'a! leas!$$a! leas! I 1ea w"a! Isa($$!"a!'s !"e sa1e !"i&, (o/ +ow.'

'No! !"e sa1e !"i& a #i!6' sai) !"e Ha!!er. '4o/ 1i&"! 9/s! as well sa(!"a! ?I see w"a! I ea!? is !"e sa1e !"i& as ?I ea! w"a! I see?6'

'4o/ 1i&"! 9/s! as well sa(,' a))e) !"e Mar%" Hare, '!"a! ?I li+e w"a! I&e!? is !"e sa1e !"i& as ?I &e! w"a! I li+e?6'

'4o/ 1i&"! 9/s! as well sa(,' a))e) !"e Dor1o/se, w"o see1e) !o #e!al+i& i "is slee, '!"a! ?I #rea!"e w"e I slee? is !"e sa1e !"i&as ?I slee w"e I #rea!"e?6'

'I! IS !"e sa1e !"i& wi!" (o/,' sai) !"e Ha!!er, a) "ere !"e%oersa!io )roe), a) !"e ar!( sa! sile! *or a 1i/!e, w"ile Ali%e!"o/&"! oer all s"e %o/l) re1e1#er a#o/! raes a) wri!i&$)es+s,w"i%" was'! 1/%".

T"e Ha!!er was !"e *irs! !o #rea+ !"e sile%e. 'W"a! )a( o* !"e 1o!"is i!' "e sai), !/ri& !o Ali%e- "e "a) !a+e "is wa!%" o/! o* "is

o%+e!, a) was loo+i& a! i! /easil(, s"a+i& i! eer( ow a) !"e,a) "ol)i& i! !o "is ear.

Ali%e %osi)ere) a li!!le, a) !"e sai) 'T"e *o/r!".'

'Two )a(s wro&6' si&"e) !"e Ha!!er. 'I !ol) (o/ #/!!er wo/l)'! s/i!!"e wor+s6' "e a))e) loo+i& a&ril( a! !"e Mar%" Hare.

'I! was !"e =EST #/!!er,' !"e Mar%" Hare 1ee+l( relie).

'4es, #/! so1e %r/1#s 1/s! "ae &o! i as well,' !"e Ha!!er &r/1#le)-'(o/ s"o/l)'! "ae /! i! i wi!" !"e #rea)$+i*e.'

T"e Mar%" Hare !oo+ !"e wa!%" a) loo+e) a! i! &loo1il(- !"e "e )ie)i! i!o "is %/ o* !ea, a) loo+e) a! i! a&ai- #/! "e %o/l) !"i+ o* o!"i& #e!!er !o sa( !"a "is *irs! re1ar+, 'I! was !"e =EST #/!!er,(o/ +ow.'

Ali%e "a) #ee loo+i& oer "is s"o/l)er wi!" so1e %/riosi!(. 'W"a! a*/( wa!%"6' s"e re1ar+e). 'I! !ells !"e )a( o* !"e 1o!", a) )oes'!!ell w"a! o'%lo%+ i! is6'

'W"( s"o/l) i!' 1/!!ere) !"e Ha!!er. 'Does 4OUR wa!%" !ell (o/ w"a!(ear i! is'


33/73

'O* %o/rse o!,' Ali%e relie) er( rea)il(- '#/! !"a!'s #e%a/se i!s!a(s !"e sa1e (ear *or s/%" a lo& !i1e !o&e!"er.'

'W"i%" is 9/s! !"e %ase wi!" MINE,' sai) !"e Ha!!er.

Ali%e *el! )rea)*/ll( />>le). T"e Ha!!er's re1ar+ see1e) !o "ae osor! o* 1eai& i i!, a) (e! i! was %er!ail( E&lis". 'I )o'! 7/i!e/)ers!a) (o/,' s"e sai), as oli!el( as s"e %o/l).

'T"e Dor1o/se is aslee a&ai,' sai) !"e Ha!!er, a) "e o/re) a li!!le"o! !ea /o i!s ose.

T"e Dor1o/se s"oo+ i!s "ea) i1a!ie!l(, a) sai), wi!"o/! oei& i!se(es, 'O* %o/rse, o* %o/rse5 9/s! w"a! I was &oi& !o re1ar+ 1(sel*.'

'Hae (o/ &/esse) !"e ri))le (e!' !"e Ha!!er sai), !/ri& !o Ali%ea&ai.

'No, I &ie i! /,' Ali%e relie)- 'w"a!'s !"e aswer'

'I "ae'! !"e sli&"!es! i)ea,' sai) !"e Ha!!er.

'Nor I,' sai) !"e Mar%" Hare.

Ali%e si&"e) wearil(. 'I !"i+ (o/ 1i&"! )o so1e!"i& #e!!er wi!" !"e!i1e,' s"e sai), '!"a was!e i! i as+i& ri))les !"a! "ae o aswers.'

'I* (o/ +ew Ti1e as well as I )o,' sai) !"e Ha!!er, '(o/ wo/l)'! !al+ a#o/! was!i& IT. I!'s HIM.'

'I )o'! +ow w"a! (o/ 1ea,' sai) Ali%e.

'O* %o/rse (o/ )o'!6' !"e Ha!!er sai), !ossi& "is "ea) %o!e1!/o/sl(.'I )are sa( (o/ eer ee so+e !o Ti1e6'

'Per"as o!,' Ali%e %a/!io/sl( relie)- '#/! I +ow I "ae !o #ea! !i1e

w"e I lear 1/si%.'

'A"6 !"a! a%%o/!s *or i!,' sai) !"e Ha!!er. 'He wo'! s!a) #ea!i&. Now, i* (o/ ol( +e! o &oo) !er1s wi!" "i1, "e') )o al1os! a(!"i&(o/ li+e) wi!" !"e %lo%+. For is!a%e, s/ose i! were ie o'%lo%+ i!"e 1ori&, 9/s! !i1e !o #e&i lessos- (o/') ol( "ae !o w"iser a"i! !o Ti1e, a) ro/) &oes !"e %lo%+ i a !wi+li&6 Hal*$as! oe,!i1e *or )ier6'

2'I ol( wis" i! was,' !"e Mar%" Hare sai) !o i!sel* i a w"iser.

'T"a! wo/l) #e &ra), %er!ail(,' sai) Ali%e !"o/&"!*/ll(- '#/! !"e$$Is"o/l)'! #e "/&r( *or i!, (o/ +ow.'


34/73


35/73

'I'1 a*rai) I )o'! +ow oe,' sai) Ali%e, ra!"er alar1e) a! !"e roosal.

'T"e !"e Dor1o/se s"all6' !"e( #o!" %rie). 'Wa+e /, Dor1o/se6' A)

!"e( i%"e) i! o #o!" si)es a! o%e.

T"e Dor1o/se slowl( oee) "is e(es. 'I was'! aslee,' "e sai) i a"oarse, *ee#le oi%e- 'I "ear) eer( wor) (o/ *ellows were sa(i&.'

'Tell /s a s!or(6' sai) !"e Mar%" Hare.

'4es, lease )o6' lea)e) Ali%e.

'A) #e 7/i%+ a#o/! i!,' a))e) !"e Ha!!er, 'or (o/'ll #e aslee a&ai #e*ore i!'s )oe.'

'O%e /o a !i1e !"ere were !"ree li!!le sis!ers,' !"e Dor1o/se #e&ai a &rea! "/rr(5 'a) !"eir a1es were Elsie, La%ie, a) Tillie5 a)!"e( lie) a! !"e #o!!o1 o* a well$$'

'W"a! )i) !"e( lie o' sai) Ali%e, w"o alwa(s !oo+ a &rea! i!eres! i7/es!ios o* ea!i& a) )ri+i&.

'T"e( lie) o !rea%le,' sai) !"e Dor1o/se, a*!er !"i+i& a 1i/!e or !wo.

'T"e( %o/l)'! "ae )oe !"a!, (o/ +ow,' Ali%e &e!l( re1ar+e)5 '!"e(')"ae #ee ill.'

'So !"e( were,' sai) !"e Dor1o/se5 'VER4 ill.'

Ali%e !rie) !o *a%( !o "ersel* w"a! s/%" a e:!raor)iar( wa(s o* lii& wo/l) #e li+e, #/! i! />>le) "er !oo 1/%", so s"e we! o- '=/!w"( )i) !"e( lie a! !"e #o!!o1 o* a well'

'Ta+e so1e 1ore !ea,' !"e Mar%" Hare sai) !o Ali%e, er( eares!l(.

'I'e "a) o!"i& (e!,' Ali%e relie) i a o**e)e) !oe, 'so I %a'!!a+e 1ore.'

'4o/ 1ea (o/ %a'! !a+e LESS,' sai) !"e Ha!!er- 'i!'s er( eas( !o !a+eMORE !"a o!"i&.'

'No#o)( as+e) 4OUR oiio,' sai) Ali%e.

'W"o's 1a+i& ersoal re1ar+s ow' !"e Ha!!er as+e) !ri/1"a!l(.

Ali%e )i) o! 7/i!e +ow w"a! !o sa( !o !"is- so s"e "ele) "ersel* !o so1e !ea a) #rea)$a)$#/!!er, a) !"e !/re) !o !"e Dor1o/se, a)reea!e) "er 7/es!io. 'W"( )i) !"e( lie a! !"e #o!!o1 o* a well'


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T"e Dor1o/se a&ai !oo+ a 1i/!e or !wo !o !"i+ a#o/! i!, a) !"esai), 'I! was a !rea%le$well.'

'T"ere's o s/%" !"i&6' Ali%e was #e&ii& er( a&ril(, #/! !"e

Ha!!er a) !"e Mar%" Hare we! 'S"6 s"6' a) !"e Dor1o/se s/l+il(re1ar+e), 'I* (o/ %a'! #e %iil, (o/') #e!!er *iis" !"e s!or( *or (o/rsel*.'

'No, lease &o o6' Ali%e sai) er( "/1#l(5 'I wo'! i!err/! a&ai. I)are sa( !"ere 1a( #e ONE.'

'Oe, i)ee)6' sai) !"e Dor1o/se i)i&a!l(. Howeer, "e %ose!e) !o&o o. 'A) so !"ese !"ree li!!le sis!ers$$!"e( were leari& !o )raw,(o/ +ow$$'

'W"a! )i) !"e( )raw' sai) Ali%e, 7/i!e *or&e!!i& "er ro1ise.

'Trea%le,' sai) !"e Dor1o/se, wi!"o/! %osi)eri& a! all !"is !i1e.

'I wa! a %lea %/,' i!err/!e) !"e Ha!!er- 'le!'s all 1oe oe la%eo.'

He 1oe) o as "e so+e, a) !"e Dor1o/se *ollowe) "i1- !"e Mar%" Hare1oe) i!o !"e Dor1o/se's la%e, a) Ali%e ra!"er /willi&l( !oo+ !"e la%e o* !"e Mar%" Hare. T"e Ha!!er was !"e ol( oe w"o &o! a(a)a!a&e *ro1 !"e %"a&e- a) Ali%e was a &oo) )eal worse o** !"a

#e*ore, as !"e Mar%" Hare "a) 9/s! /se! !"e 1il+$9/& i!o "is la!e.

Ali%e )i) o! wis" !o o**e) !"e Dor1o/se a&ai, so s"e #e&a er(%a/!io/sl(- '=/! I )o'! /)ers!a). W"ere )i) !"e( )raw !"e !rea%le*ro1'

'4o/ %a )raw wa!er o/! o* a wa!er$well,' sai) !"e Ha!!er5 'so I s"o/l)!"i+ (o/ %o/l) )raw !rea%le o/! o* a !rea%le$well$$e", s!/i)'

'=/! !"e( were IN !"e well,' Ali%e sai) !o !"e Dor1o/se, o! %"oosi& !o

o!i%e !"is las! re1ar+.

'O* %o/rse !"e( were', sai) !"e Dor1o/se5 '$$well i.'

T"is aswer so %o*/se) oor Ali%e, !"a! s"e le! !"e Dor1o/se &o o *or so1e !i1e wi!"o/! i!err/!i& i!.

'T"e( were leari& !o )raw,' !"e Dor1o/se we! o, (awi& a) r/##i&i!s e(es, *or i! was &e!!i& er( slee(5 'a) !"e( )rew all 1aer o* !"i&s$$eer(!"i& !"a! #e&is wi!" a M$$'

'W"( wi!" a M' sai) Ali%e.

'W"( o!' sai) !"e Mar%" Hare.


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Ali%e was sile!.

T"e Dor1o/se "a) %lose) i!s e(es #( !"is !i1e, a) was &oi& o** i!oa )o>e5 #/!, o #ei& i%"e) #( !"e Ha!!er, i! wo+e / a&ai wi!"

a li!!le s"rie+, a) we! o- '$$!"a! #e&is wi!" a M, s/%" as1o/se$!ras, a) !"e 1oo, a) 1e1or(, a) 1/%"ess$$(o/ +ow (o/ sa(!"i&s are ?1/%" o* a 1/%"ess?$$)i) (o/ eer see s/%" a !"i& as a)rawi& o* a 1/%"ess'

'Reall(, ow (o/ as+ 1e,' sai) Ali%e, er( 1/%" %o*/se), 'I )o'!!"i+$$'

'T"e (o/ s"o/l)'! !al+,' sai) !"e Ha!!er.

T"is ie%e o* r/)eess was 1ore !"a Ali%e %o/l) #ear- s"e &o! / i

&rea! )is&/s!, a) wal+e) o**5 !"e Dor1o/se *ell aslee is!a!l(, a)ei!"er o* !"e o!"ers !oo+ !"e leas! o!i%e o* "er &oi&, !"o/&" s"eloo+e) #a%+ o%e or !wi%e, "al* "oi& !"a! !"e( wo/l) %all a*!er "er-!"e las! !i1e s"e saw !"e1, !"e( were !r(i& !o /! !"e Dor1o/se i!o!"e !eao!.

'A! a( ra!e I'll eer &o THERE a&ai6' sai) Ali%e as s"e i%+e) "er wa( !"ro/&" !"e woo). 'I!'s !"e s!/i)es! !ea$ar!( I eer was a! i all1( li*e6'

/s! as s"e sai) !"is, s"e o!i%e) !"a! oe o* !"e !rees "a) a )oor lea)i& ri&"! i!o i!. 'T"a!'s er( %/rio/s6' s"e !"o/&"!. '=/!eer(!"i&'s %/rio/s !o)a(. I !"i+ I 1a( as well &o i a! o%e.' A) is"e we!.

O%e 1ore s"e *o/) "ersel* i !"e lo& "all, a) %lose !o !"e li!!le&lass !a#le. 'Now, I'll 1aa&e #e!!er !"is !i1e,' s"e sai) !o "ersel*,a) #e&a #( !a+i& !"e li!!le &ol)e +e(, a) /lo%+i& !"e )oor !"a!le) i!o !"e &ar)e. T"e s"e we! !o wor+ i##li& a! !"e 1/s"roo1 2s"e"a) +e! a ie%e o* i! i "er o%+e! !ill s"e was a#o/! a *oo! "i&"-!"e s"e wal+e) )ow !"e li!!le assa&e- a) THEN$$s"e *o/) "ersel* a!

las! i !"e #ea/!i*/l &ar)e, a1o& !"e #ri&"! *lower$#e)s a) !"e %ool*o/!ais.

CHAPTER VIII. T"e B/ee's Cro7/e!$;ro/)

A lar&e rose$!ree s!oo) ear !"e e!ra%e o* !"e &ar)e- !"e roses&rowi& o i! were w"i!e, #/! !"ere were !"ree &ar)eers a! i!, #/sil(

ai!i& !"e1 re). Ali%e !"o/&"! !"is a er( %/rio/s !"i&, a) s"e we!

earer !o wa!%" !"e1, a) 9/s! as s"e %a1e / !o !"e1 s"e "ear) oe o* !"e1 sa(, 'Loo+ o/! ow, Fie6 Do'! &o slas"i& ai! oer 1e li+e!"a!6'


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'I %o/l)'! "el i!,' sai) Fie, i a s/l+( !oe5 'See 9o&&e) 1(el#ow.'

O w"i%" See loo+e) / a) sai), 'T"a!'s ri&"!, Fie6 Alwa(s la( !"e

#la1e o o!"ers6'

'4OU'D #e!!er o! !al+6' sai) Fie. 'I "ear) !"e B/ee sa( ol((es!er)a( (o/ )esere) !o #e #e"ea)e)6'

'W"a! *or' sai) !"e oe w"o "a) so+e *irs!.

'T"a!'s oe o* 4OUR #/siess, Two6' sai) See.

'4es, i! IS "is #/siess6' sai) Fie, 'a) I'll !ell "i1$$i! was *or #ri&i& !"e %oo+ !/li$roo!s is!ea) o* oios.'

See *l/& )ow "is #r/s", a) "a) 9/s! #e&/ 'Well, o* all !"e /9/s!!"i&s$$' w"e "is e(e %"a%e) !o *all /o Ali%e, as s"e s!oo) wa!%"i&!"e1, a) "e %"e%+e) "i1sel* s/))el(- !"e o!"ers loo+e) ro/) also, a)all o* !"e1 #owe) low.

'Wo/l) (o/ !ell 1e,' sai) Ali%e, a li!!le !i1i)l(, 'w"( (o/ are ai!i&!"ose roses'

Fie a) See sai) o!"i&, #/! loo+e) a! Two. Two #e&a i a lowoi%e, 'W"( !"e *a%! is, (o/ see, Miss, !"is "ere o/&"! !o "ae #ee aRED rose$!ree, a) we /! a w"i!e oe i #( 1is!a+e5 a) i* !"e B/eewas !o *i) i! o/!, we s"o/l) all "ae o/r "ea)s %/! o**, (o/ +ow.So (o/ see, Miss, we're )oi& o/r #es!, a*ore s"e %o1es, !o$$' A! !"is1o1e! Fie, w"o "a) #ee a:io/sl( loo+i& a%ross !"e &ar)e, %alle)o/! 'T"e B/ee6 T"e B/ee6' a) !"e !"ree &ar)eers is!a!l( !"rew!"e1seles *la! /o !"eir *a%es. T"ere was a so/) o* 1a( *oo!s!es,a) Ali%e loo+e) ro/), ea&er !o see !"e B/ee.

Firs! %a1e !e sol)iers %arr(i& %l/#s5 !"ese were all s"ae) li+e!"e !"ree &ar)eers, o#lo& a) *la!, wi!" !"eir "a)s a) *ee! a! !"e

%orers- e:! !"e !e %o/r!iers5 !"ese were ora1e!e) all oer wi!")ia1o)s, a) wal+e) !wo a) !wo, as !"e sol)iers )i). A*!er !"ese %a1e!"e ro(al %"il)re5 !"ere were !e o* !"e1, a) !"e li!!le )ears %a1e

9/1i& 1erril( alo& "a) i "a), i %o/les- !"e( were all ora1e!e)wi!" "ear!s. Ne:! %a1e !"e &/es!s, 1os!l( 8i&s a) B/ees, a) a1o&!"e1 Ali%e re%o&ise) !"e W"i!e Ra##i!- i! was !al+i& i a "/rrie)ero/s 1aer, s1ili& a! eer(!"i& !"a! was sai), a) we! #( wi!"o/!o!i%i& "er. T"e *ollowe) !"e 8ae o* Hear!s, %arr(i& !"e 8i&'s%row o a %ri1so ele! %/s"io5 a), las! o* all !"is &ra)

ro%essio, %a1e THE 8IN; AND BUEEN OF HEARTS.

Ali%e was ra!"er )o/#!*/l w"e!"er s"e o/&"! o! !o lie )ow o "er *a%eli+e !"e !"ree &ar)eers, #/! s"e %o/l) o! re1e1#er eer "ai& "ear)o* s/%" a r/le a! ro%essios5 'a) #esi)es, w"a! wo/l) #e !"e /se o*


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a ro%essio,' !"o/&"! s"e, 'i* eole "a) all !o lie )ow /o !"eir *a%es, so !"a! !"e( %o/l)'! see i!' So s"e s!oo) s!ill w"ere s"e was,a) wai!e).

W"e !"e ro%essio %a1e oosi!e !o Ali%e, !"e( all s!oe) a) loo+e)

a! "er, a) !"e B/ee sai) seerel( 'W"o is !"is' S"e sai) i! !o !"e8ae o* Hear!s, w"o ol( #owe) a) s1ile) i rel(.

'I)io!6' sai) !"e B/ee, !ossi& "er "ea) i1a!ie!l(5 a), !/ri& !oAli%e, s"e we! o, 'W"a!'s (o/r a1e, %"il)'

'M( a1e is Ali%e, so lease (o/r Ma9es!(,' sai) Ali%e er( oli!el(5 #/! s"e a))e), !o "ersel*, 'W"(, !"e('re ol( a a%+ o* %ar)s, a*!er all. I ee)'! #e a*rai) o* !"e16'

'A) w"o are THESE' sai) !"e B/ee, oi!i& !o !"e !"ree &ar)eers w"o

were l(i& ro/) !"e rose!ree5 *or, (o/ see, as !"e( were l(i& o !"eir *a%es, a) !"e a!!er o !"eir #a%+s was !"e sa1e as !"e res! o* !"e

a%+, s"e %o/l) o! !ell w"e!"er !"e( were &ar)eers, or sol)iers, or %o/r!iers, or !"ree o* "er ow %"il)re.

'How s"o/l) I +ow' sai) Ali%e, s/rrise) a! "er ow %o/ra&e. 'I!'s o #/siess o* MINE.'

T"e B/ee !/re) %ri1so wi!" */r(, a), a*!er &lari& a! "er *or a1o1e! li+e a wil) #eas!, s%rea1e) 'O** wi!" "er "ea)6 O**$$'

'Nosese6' sai) Ali%e, er( lo/)l( a) )e%i)e)l(, a) !"e B/ee wassile!.

T"e 8i& lai) "is "a) /o "er ar1, a) !i1i)l( sai) 'Cosi)er, 1()ear- s"e is ol( a %"il)6'

T"e B/ee !/re) a&ril( awa( *ro1 "i1, a) sai) !o !"e 8ae 'T/r !"e1oer6'

T"e 8ae )i) so, er( %are*/ll(, wi!" oe *oo!.

';e! /6' sai) !"e B/ee, i a s"rill, lo/) oi%e, a) !"e !"ree&ar)eers is!a!l( 9/1e) /, a) #e&a #owi& !o !"e 8i&, !"e B/ee,!"e ro(al %"il)re, a) eer(#o)( else.

'Leae o** !"a!6' s%rea1e) !"e B/ee. '4o/ 1a+e 1e &i))(.' A) !"e,!/ri& !o !"e rose$!ree, s"e we! o, 'W"a! HAVE (o/ #ee )oi& "ere'

'Ma( i! lease (o/r Ma9es!(,' sai) Two, i a er( "/1#le !oe, &oi&)ow o oe +ee as "e so+e, 'we were !r(i&$$'

'I see6' sai) !"e B/ee, w"o "a) 1eaw"ile #ee e:a1ii& !"e roses.'O** wi!" !"eir "ea)s6' a) !"e ro%essio 1oe) o, !"ree o* !"esol)iers re1aii& #e"i) !o e:e%/!e !"e /*or!/a!e &ar)eers, w"o ra


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!o Ali%e *or ro!e%!io.

'4o/ s"a'! #e #e"ea)e)6' sai) Ali%e, a) s"e /! !"e1 i!o a lar&e*lower$o! !"a! s!oo) ear. T"e !"ree sol)iers wa)ere) a#o/! *or a1i/!e or !wo, loo+i& *or !"e1, a) !"e 7/ie!l( 1ar%"e) o** a*!er !"e

o!"ers.

'Are !"eir "ea)s o**' s"o/!e) !"e B/ee.

'T"eir "ea)s are &oe, i* i! lease (o/r Ma9es!(6' !"e sol)iers s"o/!e)i rel(.

'T"a!'s ri&"!6' s"o/!e) !"e B/ee. 'Ca (o/ la( %ro7/e!'

T"e sol)iers were sile!, a) loo+e) a! Ali%e, as !"e 7/es!io wasei)e!l( 1ea! *or "er.

'4es6' s"o/!e) Ali%e.

'Co1e o, !"e6' roare) !"e B/ee, a) Ali%e 9oie) !"e ro%essio,wo)eri& er( 1/%" w"a! wo/l) "ae e:!.

'I!'s$$i!'s a er( *ie )a(6' sai) a !i1i) oi%e a! "er si)e. S"e waswal+i& #( !"e W"i!e Ra##i!, w"o was eei& a:io/sl( i!o "er *a%e.

'Ver(,' sai) Ali%e- '$$w"ere's !"e D/%"ess'

'H/s"6 H/s"6' sai) !"e Ra##i! i a low, "/rrie) !oe. He loo+e)a:io/sl( oer "is s"o/l)er as "e so+e, a) !"e raise) "i1sel* /o!i!oe, /! "is 1o/!" %lose !o "er ear, a) w"isere) 'S"e's /)er se!e%e o* e:e%/!io.'

'W"a! *or' sai) Ali%e.

'Di) (o/ sa( ?W"a! a i!(6?' !"e Ra##i! as+e).

'No, I )i)'!,' sai) Ali%e- 'I )o'! !"i+ i!'s a! all a i!(. I sai)

?W"a! *or?'

'S"e #o:e) !"e B/ee's ears$$' !"e Ra##i! #e&a. Ali%e &ae a li!!les%rea1 o* la/&"!er. 'O", "/s"6' !"e Ra##i! w"isere) i a *ri&"!ee)!oe. 'T"e B/ee will "ear (o/6 4o/ see, s"e %a1e ra!"er la!e, a) !"eB/ee sai)$$'

';e! !o (o/r la%es6' s"o/!e) !"e B/ee i a oi%e o* !"/)er, a) eole #e&a r/i& a#o/! i all )ire%!ios, !/1#li& / a&ais! ea%"o!"er5 "oweer, !"e( &o! se!!le) )ow i a 1i/!e or !wo, a) !"e &a1e

#e&a. Ali%e !"o/&"! s"e "a) eer see s/%" a %/rio/s %ro7/e!$&ro/) i

"er li*e5 i! was all ri)&es a) */rrows5 !"e #alls were lie "e)&e"o&s,!"e 1alle!s lie *la1i&oes, a) !"e sol)iers "a) !o )o/#le !"e1seles/ a) !o s!a) o !"eir "a)s a) *ee!, !o 1a+e !"e ar%"es.


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T"e %"ie* )i**i%/l!( Ali%e *o/) a! *irs! was i 1aa&i& "er *la1i&o-s"e s/%%ee)e) i &e!!i& i!s #o)( !/%+e) awa(, %o1*or!a#l( eo/&", /)er "er ar1, wi!" i!s le&s "a&i& )ow, #/! &eerall(, 9/s! as s"e "a) &o!i!s e%+ i%el( s!rai&"!ee) o/!, a) was &oi& !o &ie !"e "e)&e"o& a

#low wi!" i!s "ea), i! WOULD !wis! i!sel* ro/) a) loo+ / i "er *a%e,wi!" s/%" a />>le) e:ressio !"a! s"e %o/l) o! "el #/rs!i& o/!la/&"i&- a) w"e s"e "a) &o! i!s "ea) )ow, a) was &oi& !o #e&ia&ai, i! was er( roo+i& !o *i) !"a! !"e "e)&e"o& "a) /rolle)i!sel*, a) was i !"e a%! o* %rawli& awa(- #esi)es all !"is, !"ere was&eerall( a ri)&e or */rrow i !"e wa( w"ereer s"e wa!e) !o se) !"e"e)&e"o& !o, a), as !"e )o/#le)$/ sol)iers were alwa(s &e!!i& /a) wal+i& o** !o o!"er ar!s o* !"e &ro/), Ali%e soo %a1e !o !"e%o%l/sio !"a! i! was a er( )i**i%/l! &a1e i)ee).

T"e la(ers all la(e) a! o%e wi!"o/! wai!i& *or !/rs, 7/arrelli&

all !"e w"ile, a) *i&"!i& *or !"e "e)&e"o&s5 a) i a er( s"or!!i1e !"e B/ee was i a */rio/s assio, a) we! s!a1i& a#o/!, a)s"o/!i& 'O** wi!" "is "ea)6' or 'O** wi!" "er "ea)6' a#o/! o%e i a1i/!e.

Ali%e #e&a !o *eel er( /eas(- !o #e s/re, s"e "a) o! as (e! "a) a()is/!e wi!" !"e B/ee, #/! s"e +ew !"a! i! 1i&"! "ae a( 1i/!e,'a) !"e,' !"o/&"! s"e, 'w"a! wo/l) #e%o1e o* 1e T"e('re )rea)*/ll(*o) o* #e"ea

Carroll Alice

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