Carroll, Lewis - Alice in Wonderland (Illus)

7/28/2019 Carroll, Lewis - Alice in Wonderland (Illus)

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ALICES


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ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

BY

LEWIS CARROLL

WITH FORTY-TWO ILLUSTRATIONS

BY

J O H N T E NN I EL .

N EW Y OR K

D . A PP LE TO N A ND C O. , 4 45 B RO AD WA Y

1866

CONTENTS

Down The Rabbit-Hole.7

T he Po ol of Te ar s.12

A C au cu s- Ra ce a nd a L ong T al e.17

Th e Ra bb it Se nd s i n a L it tl e B il l21

Advice from a Caterpillar27

Pi g a nd P ep pe r 35

A M ad T ea -P ar ty.42

The Queens Croquet-Ground.47

Th e M ock T ur tl es S to ry.53

The Lobster Quadrille.58

W ho S to le T he T ar ts ?.65

Alices Evidence.70

All in the golden afternoon

Full leisurely we glide;

F or b ot h o ur o ar s, w it h l it tl e s ki ll ,


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B y l it tl e arm s are p li ed ,

While little hands make vain pretence

O ur w an deri ng s t o g ui de.

A h, c ru el T hr ee ! I n s uc h a n h ou r

Beneath such dreamy weather,

To beg a tale of breath too weak

T o s ti r t he t in iest f eath er !

Ye t w ha t c an on e p oo r v oi ce a va il

Against three tongues together?

Imperious Prima flashes forth

H er e di ct t o be gi n i t- -

I n g en tl er t on e S ecun da h op es

Th er e w il l b e n on sens e i n i t! - -

While Tertia interrupts the tale

N ot m or e t ha n o nc e a m in ut e.

An on , t o s ud den s il en ce w on ,

I n f an cy t hey p ur su e

The dream-child moving through a land

Of w on de rs w il d a nd n ew ,

I n f ri en dl y c ha t w it h b ir d o r b ea st --

A nd h al f b el ieve i t t ru e.

A nd e ve r, a s t he s tor y d ra in ed

An d f ai nt ly s tr ov e t hat w eary o ne

T he r es t n ex t t im e It i s n ex t t im e!

T he h ap py v oi ces cr y.


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T hu s g re w t he t al e of W on de rl an d :

T hu s s lo wl y, o ne b y o ne ,

I ts q uai nt event s w er e h am mered o ut - -

An d now t he t al e i s do ne ,

A nd h om e w e s te er , a m er ry c re w,

Beneath the setting sun.

A l ice! a chi ld is h s to ry t ak e,

A nd w it h a g en tl e ha nd

L ay i t w here C hi ld ho od s d ream s are t wi ned

I n M em or y s m ys ti c b an d,

Like pilgrims witherd wreath of flowers

P lu ck d i n a f ar -o ff l an d.

Down The Rabbit-Hole


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AL IC E w as b eg inn in g t o g et v er y t ir ed o f s it ti ng b y h er s is te r o n t he b an k, a nd o f ha vi ng n ot hi ng t o do :

o nc e o r t wi ce s he h ad p ee pe d i nt o t he b oo k he r s is te r w as r ea di ng , b ut i t ha d n o pi ct ur es or

con vers at io ns i n i t, an d w hat i s t he u se o f a b oo k, t ho ug ht A li ce, wi th ou t p ictu res o r con vers at io ns ?

S o s he w as c ons ide ri ng i n he r ow n m in d ( as w ell a s s he c oul d, f or t he hot da y ma de he r f ee l v ery s le epy

a nd s tu pi d) w he th er t he p le as ur e o f m ak in g a d ai sy -c ha in w ou ld b e w or th t he t ro ub le o f g et ti ng u p a nd

picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close to her.

The re wa s nothi ng s o ve ry re ma rka ble in t ha t; nor di d Al ic e thi nk i t s o ve ry m uch out of t he wa y t o he ar

t he Ra bbi t s ay t o i ts el f, Oh de ar ! O h de ar ! I s ha ll be t oo l at e! ( whe n s he t ho ugh t i t ove r a ft er wa rd s, i t

oc cu rr ed t o he r t ha t s he o ught t o ha ve w onde re d a t t hi s, but a t t he t im e i t a ll s ee me d qui te na tur al ); but

w he n t he R ab bi t a ct ua ll y t ook a wa tc h o ut o f i ts w ai st -c oa t po ck et , a nd l oo ke d a t i t, a nd t he n h ur ri ed on ,

Al ic e s ta rt ed t o h er f ee t, f or i t f la she d a cr os s he r m ind t ha t s he ha d ne ve r be for e s ee n a r abbi t wi th e it he r

a wa is t- coa t po cke t or a wa tc h t o t ak e out of i t, a nd b ur ni ng w it h c ur ios it y, s he r an a cr os s t he f ie ld a ft er

i t, a nd f or tu na te ly w as j us t i n t im e t o s ee i t p op d ow n a l ar ge r ab bi t- ho le u nd er t he h ed ge .

I n a no th er m om en t d ow n w en t A li ce a ft er i t, n ev er o nc e c on si de ri ng h ow i n t he w or ld s he w as t o g et o utagain.

T he r ab bi t- ho le w en t s tr ai gh t o n l ik e a t un ne l f or s om e w ay , a nd t he n d ip pe d s ud de nl y d ow n, s o

s ud denl y t hat A li ce h ad n ot a m om en t t o t hi nk abo ut s to pp in g h er self b ef or e s he f ou nd h er self f al li ng

do wn a ve ry de ep w el l.

Ei the r t he we ll wa s ve ry de ep, or s he f el l ve ry s lowl y, f or s he ha d pl ent y of t ime a s she we nt down to

l oo k a bo ut he r, a nd t o w ond er wh at wa s g oi ng t o ha ppe n n ex t. F ir st , s he t ri ed t o l oo k do wn a nd ma ke

ou t w ha t s he w as c om ing t o, but i t wa s t oo da rk t o s ee a nyt hi ng; t he n s he l ook ed a t t he s ide s o f t he we ll ,

a nd n ot ic ed t ha t t he y w er e f il le d w it h c up bo ar ds a nd b oo k- sh el ve s: h er e a nd t he re s he s aw m ap s a nd

pictures hung upon pegs. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was labelled OR AN GE M AR MA LA DE , b ut t o h er g re at d is ap po in tm en t i t w as e mp ty : s he d id n ot l ik e t o d ro p t he

jar for fear of killing somebody, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she fell past it.

Well ! t ho ug ht A li ce t o h er self . Af ter s uch a f al l as t hi s, I s hall t hi nk n ot hi ng o f t um bl in g d ow ns tair s!

H ow b ra ve t he y ll a ll t hi nk m e a t h om e! W hy , I w ou ld n t s ay a ny th in g a bou t i t, e ve n i f I f el l of f t he t op of

t he h ou se! ( Wh ich w as v er y l ik el y t ru e. )

D ow n, do wn , d ow n. W ou ld t he f al l n ev er c om e t o a n e nd ? I w on de r h ow m an y m il es I v e f al le n b y t hi s

t im e? s he s ai d a lo ud . I m us t b e g et ti ng s om ew he re n ea r t he c en tr e o f t he e ar th . L et m e s ee : t ha t w ou ld

be four thousand miles down, I think-- (for, you see, Alice had learnt several things of this sort in herl es so ns i n t he s ch oo lr oo m, and t ho ug h t hi s w as n ot a v er y g oo d o pp or tu ni ty f or s ho wi ng o ff h er

kn ow le dg e, a s t he re w as n o on e t o l is te n t o h er , s ti ll i t wa s go od pr ac ti ce t o s ay i t o ve r) -- ye s, t ha t s

a bo ut t he r ig ht d is ta nc e- -b ut t he n I w on de r w ha t L at it ud e a nd L on gi tu de I v e g ot t o ? ( Al ic e h ad n o

i de a w ha t L at it ud e w as , o r L on gi tu de e it he r, b ut t ho ug ht t he y w er e n ic e g ra nd w or ds t o s ay .)

P resent ly s he b eg an again . I w on der i f I s hall f al l r ig ht t hr ou gh t he ear th ! H ow f un ny i t ll s eem t o com e

o ut a mo ng t he p eo pl e t ha t w al k w it h t he ir h ea ds d ow nw ar ds ! T he A nt ip at hi es , I t hi nk -- ( sh e w as r at he r

gl ad t he re w as no one l is te ni ng, t hi s t ime , a s i t di dn t s ound a t a ll the ri ght wor d) -- but I s hal l ha ve t o a sk

t he m w ha t t he n am e o f t he c ou nt ry i s, y ou k no w. P le as e, M a am , i s t hi s N ew Z ea la nd o r A us tr al ia ?

( an d s he t ri ed t o cur ts ey as s he s po kef an cy cur ts ey in g as y ou r e f al li ng t hr ou gh t he air ! D o y ou t hi nk

y ou c ou ld m ana ge i t? ) An d w ha t a n i gn or an t l it tl e g ir l s he l l t hi nk m e! N o, i t ll ne ve r do t o a sk : pe rh aps

I s hall s ee i t w ri tt en u p s om ew here.


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D ow n, d ow n, d ow n. T here w as n ot hi ng els e t o d o, s o A li ce s oo n b eg an t al ki ng again . Di nah ll m is s m e

v er y m uc h t o- ni gh t, I s hou ld t hi nk ! ( Di na h w as t he c at .) I h op e t he y ll r em em be r h er s au ce r of m il k a t

t ea -ti me. Di na h, my de ar , I wi sh you we re down he re w it h me ! The re a re no mi ce i n t he a ir , I m a fr ai d,

but you might catch a bat, and thats very like a mouse, you know. But do cats eat bats, I wonder? And

he re Al ic e b ega n t o ge t r at he r s le ep y, a nd we nt o n s ayi ng t o he rs el f, i n a dr ea my s or t of wa y, Do c at s

e at b at s? Do c at s e at b at s? a nd s om et im es , Do b at s e at c at s? f or , y ou s ee , a s s he c ou ld n t a ns we r

e it he r q ue st io n, i t d idn t m uc h m at te r w hi ch w ay s he p ut i t. S he f el t t ha t s he w as d oz in g o ff , a nd ha d j us tbegun to dream that she was walking hand in hand with Dinah, and saying to her very earnestly, Now,

D in ah , t el l m e t he t ru th : d id y ou e ve r e at a b at ? w he n s ud de nl y, t hu mp ! t hu mp ! d ow n s he c am e u pon a

he ap of d ry l ea ve s, a nd t he f al l wa s ov er .

Alice was not a bit hurt, and she jumped up on to her fe et in a moment: she looked up, but it was all

d ar k o verh ead; b ef or e h er w as ano th er l on g p as sage, and t he W hi te R ab bi t w as s ti ll i n s ig ht , h ur ry in g

down i t. The re w as not a mome nt t o be l os t: a wa y we nt Al ic e l ike t he wi nd, a nd wa s j us t i n t im e t o he ar

i t s ay, a s i t t ur ne d a c or ne r, Oh, m y e ar s a nd w hi ske rs , how l at e i t s g et ti ng! She wa s c los e b ehi nd i t

w he n s he t ur ne d t he c or ne r, b ut t he R ab bi t w as n o l on ge r t o b e s ee n: s he f ou nd h er se lf i n a l on g, l ow h al l,

w hi ch w as l it up by a r ow o f l am ps ha ngi ng f ro m t he r oo f.

T he re we re door s a ll r ound th e ha ll , but t he y we re a ll l oc ke d; a nd w he n A li ce ha d be en a ll t he wa y

d ow n o ne s id e a nd u p t he o th er , t ry in g e ve ry d oo r, s he w al ke d s ad ly d ow n t he m id dl e, w on de ri ng h ow

s he wa s e ve r t o ge t ou t a ga in.

S ud de nl y s he c am e u po n a l it tl e t hr ee -l eg ge d t ab le , a ll m ad e o f s ol id g la ss ; t he re w as no th in g o n i t e xc ep t

a t in y g ol de n ke y, a nd A li ce s f ir st t ho ug ht w as t ha t i t m ig ht b el on g t o on e o f t he d oor s o f t he ha ll ; b ut ,

a la s! e it he r t he l oc ks w er e t oo l ar ge , o r t he k ey w as t oo s ma ll , but a t a ny r at e i t wo ul d n ot o pe n a ny of

t he m. H ow ev er , o n t he s ec on d t im e r ou nd , s he c am e u po n a l ow c ur ta in s he h ad n ot n ot ic ed b ef or e, a nd

behind it was a little door about fifteen inches high: she tried the little golden key in the lock, and to her

great delight it fitted!

A li ce o pe ne d t he d oo r a nd f ou nd t ha t i t l ed i nt o a s ma ll p as sa ge , n ot m uc h l ar ge r t ha n a r at -h ol e: s he

k ne lt d ow n a nd l oo ke d a lo ng t he p as sa ge i nt o t he l ov el ie st g ar de n y ou e ve r s aw . H ow s he l on ge d t o g eto ut o f t ha t d ar k h al l, a nd w an de r a bo ut a mo ng t ho se b ed s o f b ri gh t f lo we rs a nd t ho se c oo l f ou nt ai ns , b ut

s he c ou ld no t e ve n g et h er h ea d t hr ou gh t he d oor wa y; an d e ve n i f m y h ea d w ou ld g o t hr oug h, t ho ug ht


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poor Alice, it would be of very little use without my shoulders. Oh, how I wish I could shut up like a

t el es co pe ! I t hi nk I c ou ld , i f I o nl y k ne w h ow t o b eg in . F or , y ou s ee , s o m an y o ut -o f- th e- wa y t hi ng s h ad

h ap pened l at el y, t hat A li ce h ad b eg un t o t hi nk t hat v er y f ew t hi ng s i nd eed w er e r eall y i mp os si bl e.

The re s ee me d t o be no us e i n w ai ti ng by t he l it tl e d oor , s o s he we nt ba ck t o t he t abl e, ha lf hop ing s he

mi ght f ind a not he r ke y on i t, or a t a ny r at e a book of r ul es f or s hut ti ng peo ple up l ike t ele sc ope s : t hi s

t im e s he f ou nd a l it tl e b ot tl e o n i t ( w hi ch c er ta in ly w as n ot h er e b ef or e, s ai d A li ce ), a nd r ou nd i ts n ec k apaper label, with the words DRINK ME beautifully printed on it in large letters.

I t was a ll ve ry wel l to s ay Dri nk me , but t he wis e l it tle Al ic e wa s not goi ng t o do tha t in a hur ry. No,

I l l l oo k f ir st , s he s ai d, an d s ee w he th er i t s m ar ke d po is on o r n ot ; f or s he h ad r ea d s ev er al n ic e l it tl e

h is to ri es a bo ut c hi ld re n w ho h ad g ot b ur nt , a nd e at en u p b y w il d b ea st s, a nd m an y o th er u np le as an t

t hi ng s, all b ecau se t hey w ou ld n ot r em em ber t he s im pl e r ul es t heir f ri en ds h ad t au gh t t hem: s uch as, t hat a

r ed -ho t po ke r w il l bu rn y ou i f y ou h ol d i t t oo l on g; a nd t ha t, i f y ou c ut yo ur f ing er v er y d ee pl y w it h a

k ni fe , i t u su al ly b le ed s; a nd s he h ad n ev er f or go tt en t ha t, i f y ou d ri nk m uc h, f ro m a b ot tl e m ar ke d

po is on , i t i s a lm os t c er ta in t o d is ag re e w it h y ou , s oo ne r o r l at er .

H ow ev er , t hi s b ot tl e w as n ot m ar ke d po is on , s o A li ce v en tu re d t o t as te i t, a nd f in di ng i t v er y n ic e ( it

h ad , i n f ac t, a s or t o f m ix ed f la vo ur o f c he rr y- ta rt , c us ta rd , p in e- ap pl e, r oa st t ur ke y, t of fe e, a nd h ot

buttered toast), she very soon finished it off.

********** ********** **********

Wh at a cur io us f eeli ng ! s ai d A li ce, I m us t b e s hu tt in g u p l ik e a t el es co pe.

A nd s o i t w as i nd ee d: s he w as n ow o nl y t en i nc he s h ig h, a nd h er f ac e b ri ght en ed u p a t t he t ho ug ht t ha t

s he w as n ow t he r ig ht s ize f or g oi ng t hr ou gh t he l it tl e d oo r i nt o t hat l ov el y g ar den. F ir st , h ow ev er , s he

w ai te d f or a f ew m in ut es t o s ee i f s he w as g oi ng t o s hr in k a ny f ur th er : s he f el t a l it tl e ne rv ous a bo ut t hi s;

fo r i t m igh t e nd , yo u kn ow , s ai d A li ce t o h er se lf , in m y g oi ng ou t a lt og et he r, l ike a c and le . I wo nd er

wha t I shoul d be li ke t hen? And s he t ri ed t o fa nc y wha t the f la me of a c andl e is l ike af te r it i s blown out ,


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f or s he c ou ld n ot r em em be r e ve r h avi ng s ee n s uc h a t hi ng.

A ft er a w hi le, f in di ng t hat n ot hi ng m or e h ap pened, s he d ecid ed o n g oi ng i nt o t he g ar den at o nce; b ut ,

a la s f or p oo r A li ce ! w he n s he g ot t o t he d oo r, s he f ou nd s he h ad f or go tt en t he l it tl e g ol de n k ey , a nd w he n

s he we nt ba ck t o t he t abl e f or i t, s he f ound s he c oul d n ot pos si bly r ea ch i t: s he c oul d s ee i t qui te pl ai nl y

t hr ough t he gl as s, a nd s he t ri ed he r be st t o c li mb u p o ne of t he t abl e- le gs , but i t wa s t oo s li pp er y; a nd

w he n s he h ad t ir ed h er se lf o ut w it h t ry in g, t he po or l it tl e t hi ng s at d ow n a nd c ri ed .

Co me , t he re s n o u se i n c ry in g l ike t ha t! s ai d A li ce t o he rs el f, r at he r s ha rp ly . I a dv is e y ou t o l ea ve of f

t hi s m in ut e! S he g en er al ly g av e h er self v er y g oo d adv ice ( th ou gh s he v er y s el do m f ol lo wed i t) , and

s om et im es s he s co ld ed h er se lf s o s ev er el y a s t o b ri ng t ea rs i nt o h er e ye s; a nd o nc e s he r em em be re d

t ry in g t o b ox h er o wn e ar s f or h av in g c he at ed h er se lf i n a g am e o f c ro que t s he w as p la yi ng a ga in st

h er se lf , f or t hi s c ur io us c hi ld w as v er y f on d o f p re te nd in g t o b e t wo p eo pl e. Bu t i t s n o u se n ow ,

t ho ug ht p oo r A li ce , to p re te nd t o b e t wo p eo pl e! W hy , t he re s h ar dl y e no ug h o f m e l ef t t o m ak e o ne

respectable person!

Soon he r e ye f el l on a li ttl e gl as s box t ha t a s lyi ng under t he ta bl e: s he opene d i t, and f ound in i t a ve rys mall cak e, o n w hi ch t he w or ds EA T M E w er e b eaut if ul ly m ar ked i n cur rant s. Well , I l l eat i t, s ai d

Al ic e, and i f it ma ke s me l ar ge r, I c an r ea ch t he ke y; a nd i f i t ma ke s m e s ma ll er , I c an c re ep unde r th e

d oo r; s o e it he r w ay I l l g et i nt o t he g ar de n, a nd I d on t c ar e w hi ch h ap pe ns !

S he a te a l it tl e b it , a nd s ai d a nx io us ly t o h er se lf , Wh ic h w ay ? W hi ch w ay ? h ol di ng h er h an d o n t he t op

o f h er h ea d t o f ee l w hi ch w ay i t w as g ro wi ng , a nd s he w as q ui te s ur pr is ed t o f in d t ha t s he r em ai ne d t he

s ame s iz e: t o be s ur e, t hi s ge ne ra ll y h appe ns w he n o ne e at s c ake , but A lic e ha d got s o muc h i nt o t he wa y

o f exp ecti ng n ot hi ng b ut o ut -o f- th e- way t hi ng s t o h ap pen, t hat i t s eemed q ui te d ul l and s tu pi d f or l if e t o

go on in t he common wa y.

So s he s et t o w or k, a nd ve ry s oo n f in is he d o ff t he c ak e.

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The Pool of Tears

CU RI OU SE R and cur io us er ! cri ed A li ce ( sh e w as s o m uch s ur pr is ed , t hat f or t he m om en t s he q ui tef or go t h ow t o s pe ak g oo d E ng li sh ); no w I m o pe ni ng o ut l ik e t he l ar ge st t el es co pe t ha t e ve r w as !

G ood -b ye , f ee t! ( for w he n s he l ook ed d ow n a t h er f ee t, t he y s ee me d t o b e a lm os t ou t o f s ig ht , t he y

w er e g et ti ng s o f ar o ff ). Oh , m y p oo r l it tl e f ee t, I w on de r w ho w il l p ut o n y ou r s ho es a nd s to ck in gs f or

yo u n ow, de ar s? I m s ur e I s ha n t be a bl e! I s ha ll be a g re at de al t oo f ar o ff t o t ro ubl e m ys el f a bout you :

y ou m us t m an ag e t he b es t w ay y ou c an -- bu t I m us t b e k in d t o t he m, t ho ug ht A li ce , or p er ha ps t he y

won t wa lk t he w ay I w ant t o go ! Le t m e s ee : I l l gi ve t he m a ne w pa ir o f boot s e ve ry Chr is tma s.

A nd s he w ent o n p la nni ng t o h er se lf h ow s he w oul d m ana ge i t. The y m us t g o b y t he c ar ri er , s he

t ho ug ht ; an d h ow f un ny i t ll s eem, s en di ng p resent s t o o nes o wn f eet! A nd h ow o dd t he d ir ecti on s w il l

l oo k! A li ce s R ig ht F oo t, E sq . H eart hr ug , n ear t he F en der, (w it h A li ce s l ov e) . O h d ear , w hat n on sens eIm talking!


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J us t t he n he r h ea d s tr uc k a ga in st t he r oo f o f t he h al l: i n f ac t s he w as n ow m or e t ha n n in e f ee t h ig h, a nd

s he a t o nc e t ook up t he l it tl e g ol de n ke y a nd hur ri ed of f t o t he ga rd en do or .

P oor Al ic e! I t w as a s m uc h a s s he c oul d do, l yi ng do wn on one s id e, t o l ook t hr ough i nt o t he g ar de n

wi th o ne e ye ; but t o ge t t hr ou gh wa s mo re hope le ss t ha n e ve r: s he s at do wn a nd be ga n t o c ry a ga in.

Yo u o ugh t t o b e a sha me d of yo ur se lf , s ai d Al ic e, a g re at gi rl l ik e yo u ( sh e m ig ht w el l s ay t hi s) , to goo n c ryi ng i n t hi s w ay ! S top t hi s m om en t, I t el l y ou ! Bu t s he w ent o n a ll t he s am e, s he dd in g g al lo ns of

t ea rs , u nt il t he re w as a l ar ge p oo l a ll r ou nd h er , a bo ut f ou r i nc he s d ee p a nd r ea ch in g h al f d ow n t he h al l.

A fte r a t ime s he he ar d a l it tl e pa tt er in g of f ee t in t he di st anc e, a nd s he ha st il y dr ie d he r e ye s t o s ee wh at

w as c om in g. I t w as t he W hi te R ab bi t r et ur ni ng , s pl end id ly dr es se d, w it h a pa ir o f w hi te ki d g lo ve s i n o ne

h an d a nd a l ar ge f an i n t he ot he r: h e c am e t ro tt ing a lon g i n a g re at h ur ry , m ut te ri ng t o h im se lf a s h e c am e,

Oh ! t he D uc he ss , t he D uc he ss ! O h! w on t s he b e s av ag e i f I v e k ep t h er w ai ti ng ! A li ce f el t s o

d es pe ra te t ha t s he w as r ea dy t o a sk he lp of a nyo ne ; s o, w he n t he R ab bi t c am e ne ar he r, s he be ga n, i n a

l ow , t im id v oi ce, If y ou p leas e, s ir -- - T he R ab bi t s tart ed v io lent ly , d ro pp ed t he w hi te k id g lo ves and

t he f an, a nd s cur ri ed a wa y i nt o t he d ar kne ss a s ha rd a s he c oul d go .

A li ce t oo k u p t he f an a nd g lo ve s, a nd , a s t he h al l w as v er y h ot , s he ke pt f an ni ng h er se lf a ll t he t im e s he

w en t o n t al ki ng : De ar , d ea r! H ow q ue er e ve ry th in g i s t o- da y! A nd y es te rd ay t hi ng s w en t o n j us t a s

us ua l. I wonde r if I ve be en c ha nge d in t he night ? Le t me thi nk: wa s I the s ame whe n I got up thi s

m or ni ng ? I alm os t t hi nk I can r em em ber f eeli ng a l it tl e d if ferent . B ut i f I m n ot t he s am e, t he n ex t q uest io n

i s, W ho i n t he w or ld a m I ? A h, t ha t s t he g re at p uz zl e! A nd s he b ega n t hi nki ng ov er a ll t he c hi ld re n s he


12/83

kne w t ha t we re of t he s am e a ge a s h er se lf , t o s ee i f s he c oul d ha ve be en c ha nge d f or a ny of t he m.

I m s ur e I m n ot A da , s he s ai d, fo r he r h ai r go es i n s uc h l on g r in gl et s, a nd m in e d oe sn t go i n r in gl et s

at all ; a nd Im sure I ca nt be Mabel, for I know all sor ts of things, and s he, oh! she knows such a ver y

l it tl e! B es ide s, s he s she , a nd I m I , and - -oh de ar , how puz zli ng it a ll i s! I l l tr y if I know a ll t he thi ngs I

u se d t o k no w. Le t m e s ee : f ou r t im es f ive i s t we lv e, a nd f ou r t im es s ix i s t hi rt ee n, a nd f ou r t im es s eve n

i s- -o h d ear! I s hall n ev er g et t o t went y at t hat r at e! H ow ev er , t he M ul ti pl icat io n T ab le d oesn t s ig ni fy :l et s t ry G eo gr ap hy . L on do n i s t he c ap it al o f P ar is , a nd P ar is i s t he c ap it al o f R om e, a nd R om e- -n o,

t ha t s a ll w ro ng , I m c er ta in ! I m us t h av e b ee n c ha ng ed f or M ab el ! I l l t ry a nd s ay ho w d ot h t he l it tl e- -

a nd s he c ros se d he r ha nds on her l ap a s if s he wer e sa ying le ssons , a nd began t o re pe at it , but her

v oi ce s ou nd ed ho ar se a nd s tr an ge , a nd t he w or ds di d no t c om e t he s am e a s t he y u se d t o d o: --

Ho w d ot h t he l it tl e c r oc od il e

I mp ro ve h is s hi ni ng t ai l

And pour the waters of the Nile

O n e ve ry g ol de n s ca le !

Ho w c he er fu ll y h e s ee ms t o g ri n,

H ow n ea tl y s pr ea ds h is c la ws ,

A nd w el co me s l it tl e f is he s i n

W it h g en tl e s mi li ng j aw s!

I m s ur e t ho se a re n ot t he r ig ht w or ds , s ai d p oo r A li ce , a nd h er e ye s f il le d w it h t ea rs a ga in a s s he w en t

on, I mus t be M abe l a ft er a ll , a nd I s ha ll ha ve t o g o a nd l ive i n t ha t poky l it tl e hou se , a nd ha ve ne xt t o no

t oys t o pl ay wi th, a nd o h! e ve r s o ma ny le ss on s t o l ea rn. No, I ve ma de up m y m in d a bout i t; if I m

M ab el , I l l s ta y d ow n h er e! i t ll b e n o u se t he ir p ut ti ng t he ir h ea ds d ow n a nd s ay in g Co me u p a ga in ,

de ar ! I sha ll onl y l ook up and s ay Who a m I the n? Te ll m e t ha t fi rs t, a nd t he n, if I l ike be ing t ha t pe rs on,

I l l c om e u p: i f n ot , I l l s ta y d ow n h er e t il l I m s om eb od y e ls e -- bu t, o h d ea r! c ri ed A li ce , w it h a s ud de n

burst of tears, I do wish they would put their heads down! I am so very tired of being all alone here!

A s s he sa id thi s s he looke d down at her ha nds , a nd wa s s ur pr is ed to se e t hat she had put on one of the

R ab bi t s l it tl e w hi te k id g lo ves w hi le s he w as t al ki ng . Ho w can I h av e d on e t hat? s he t ho ug ht . I m us tbe growing small again. She got up and went to the table to measure herself by it, and found that, as

n ea rl y a s s he c ou ld g ue ss , s he w as n ow a bou t t wo f ee t hi gh , a nd w as g oi ng o n s hr in ki ng r ap id ly : s he s oo n

f ound out t ha t the c aus e of t hi s wa s t he f an s he wa s hol ding, a nd s he dr oppe d i t has ti ly, j us t i n t im e t o

save herself from shrinking away altogether.

Th at w as a n ar ro w e sc ap e! s ai d A li ce , a g oo d d ea l f ri gh te ne d a t t he s ud de n c ha ng e, b ut v er y g la d t o

f in d h er se lf s ti ll i n e xi st en ce ; an d no w f or t he g ar de n! , a nd s he r an w it h a ll s pe ed ba ck t o t he l it tl e d oo r:

but, alas! the little door was shut again, and the little golden key was lying on the glass table as before,

an d t hi ng s a re w or se t ha n e ve r, t ho ug ht t he p oo r c hi ld , fo r I n ev er w as s o s ma ll a s t hi s b ef or e, n ev er !

A nd I d ec la re i t s t oo ba d, t ha t i t i s!


13/83

A s s he s ai d t he se wo rds he r f oot s li ppe d, a nd i n a not he r m om ent , s pl as h! s he wa s up t o he r c hi n i n s al t

w at er . He r f ir st i de a wa s t ha t s he ha d s om eho w f al le n i nt o t he s ea , and i n t ha t c as e I c an go b ac k b yr ai lw ay , s he s ai d t o h er se lf . ( Al ic e h ad b ee n t o t he s ea si de o nc e i n h er l if e, a nd h ad c om e t o t he g en er al

con cl us io n, t hat w herever y ou g o t o o n t he E ng li sh coast y ou f in d a n um ber o f b at hi ng m achi nes i n t he

s ea , s om e c hi ld re n d ig gi ng i n t he s an d w it h w oo de n s pa de s, t he n a r ow o f l od gi ng h ou se s, a nd b eh in d

t he m a r ai lw ay s ta ti on. ) H ow eve r, s he s oo n m ade out t ha t s he wa s i n t he pool of t ea rs whi ch s he h ad

w ept w he n s he w as n in e f ee t h ig h.

I wi sh I ha dn t c rie d s o m uc h! s ai d Al ic e, a s s he s wa m a bout , t ryi ng t o f ind he r wa y out . I s ha ll be

punished for it now, I suppose by being drowned in my own tears! That will be a queer thing, to be sure!

However, everything is queer to-day.

J us t t he n s he h ea rd s om et hi ng s pl as hi ng a bo ut t he p oo l a l it tl e w ay o ff , a nd s he s wa m n ea re r t o m ak e o ut

w ha t i t w as : a t f ir st s he t ho ug ht i t m us t b e a w al ru s o r h ip po po ta mu s, b ut t he n s he r em em be re d h ow s ma ll

s he wa s now, a nd s he s oon ma de out t ha t i t w as on ly a mous e t ha t ha d s li pp ed i n l ike h er se lf .

Wo ul d i t b e o f a ny u se , n ow , t ho ug ht A li ce , to s pe ak t o t hi s m ou se ? E ve ry th in g i s s o o ut -o f- th e- wa y

d ow n he re , t ha t I s ho ul d t hi nk v er y l ik el y i t c an t al k: a t a ny r at e, t he re s n o h ar m i n t ry in g. S o s he b eg an :

O M ous e, do yo u kn ow t he wa y out of t hi s po ol ? I a m ve ry t ir ed of s wi mmi ng a bout h er e, O Mo us e!

( Al ic e t ho ug ht t hi s m us t b e t he r ig ht w ay o f s pe ak ing t o a m ou se : s he h ad n eve r d on e s uc h a t hi ng b ef or e,

but she remembered having seen in her brothers Latin Grammar, A mouse--of a mouse--to a mouse--a

m ou se -- O m ou se ! ) T he M ou se l oo ke d a t h er r at he r i nq ui si ti ve ly , a nd s ee me d t o h er t o w in k w it h o ne o f

i ts l it tl e eyes, b ut i t s ai d n ot hi ng .

Perh ap s i t d oesn t u nd er st an d E ng li sh , t ho ug ht A li ce; I d ar e s ay i t s a F rench m ou se, com e o ver w it h

W il li am t he C on qu er or . ( Fo r, w it h all h er k no wl ed ge o f h is to ry , A li ce h ad n o v er y clear n ot io n h ow l on g

a go a ny th in g h ad h ap pe ne d. ) S o s he b eg an a ga in : Ou e st m a c ha tt e? w hi ch w as t he f ir st s en te nc e i n h er

F re nc h l es son -bo ok . T he M ous e ga ve a s udd en l ea p ou t of t he w at er , a nd s ee me d t o q ui ve r a ll o ve r w it h

f ri gh t. Oh , I b eg y ou r p ar do n! cri ed A li ce h as ti ly , afr ai d t hat s he h ad h ur t t he p oo r ani mal s f eeli ng s. I

q ui te f or go t y ou d id n t l ik e cat s.

No t l ik e c at s! c ri ed t he M ou se , i n a s hr il l, p as si on at e v oi ce . Wo ul d y ou l ik e c at s i f y ou w er e m e?

We ll , p er ha ps n ot , s ai d A li ce i n a s oo th in g t on e: do n t b e a ng ry a bo ut i t. A nd y et I w is h I c ou ld s ho w

you our c at Di na h: I t hi nk you d t ake a f anc y t o c at s i f y ou c ou ld onl y s ee he r. She i s s uc h a de ar qui et


14/83

t hi ng , Al ic e w en t o n, h al f t o he rs el f, a s s he s wa m l az il y a bo ut i n t he po ol , an d s he s it s p ur ri ng s o ni ce ly

by the fire, licking her paws and washing her face--and she is such a nice soft thing to nurse--and shes

s uc h a c ap it al o ne f or c at ch in g m ic e- -- oh , I b eg y ou r p ar do n! c ri ed A li ce a ga in , f or t hi s t im e t he M ou se

w as br is tl in g a ll o ve r, a nd s he f el t c er ta in i t m us t b e r ea ll y o ff en de d. We w on t t al k a bou t h er a ny m or e i f

youd rather not.

We , i nde ed! c ri ed t he M ous e, wh o wa s t re mbl ing dow n t o t he e nd of hi s t ai l. As if I woul d t al k on

s uc h a s ub je ct ! O ur f am il y a lw ay s h at ed c at s: n as ty , l ow , v ul ga r t hi ngs ! D on t l et m e h ea r t he n am e

again!

I w on t i nd ee d! s ai d A li ce , i n a g re at h ur ry t o c ha ng e t he s ub je ct o f c on ve rs at io n. Ar e y ou -- ar e y ou

f on d- -o f- -o f d og s? T he M ou se d id n ot a ns we r, s o A li ce w en t o n e ag er ly : Th er e i s s uc h a n ic e l it tl e d og

n ea r o ur h ou se I s ho ul d l ik e t o s ho w y ou ! A l it tl e b ri gh t- ey ed t er ri er , y ou k no w, w it h o h, s uc h l on g c ur ly

brown hair! And itll fetch things when you throw them, and itll sit up and beg for its dinner, and all sorts

o f t hi ng s- -I c an t r em em be r h al f o f t he m- -a nd i t b el on gs t o a f ar me r, y ou k no w, a nd h e s ay s i t s s o

u se fu l, i t s w or th a h un dr ed p ou nd s! H e s ay s i t k il ls a ll t he r at s a nd -- o h d ea r! c ri ed A li ce i n a s or ro wf ul

t on e, I m a fr ai d I v e o ff en de d i t a ga in ! F or t he M ou se w as s wi mm in g a wa y f ro m h er a s h ar d a s i t c ou ld

g o, a nd m ak in g q ui te a c om mot ion i n t he p oo l a s i t w en t.

S o s he c al le d s of tl y a ft er i t, Mo us e de ar ! D o c ome b ac k a ga in , a nd w e wo n t t al k a bou t c at s o r d og s

e it he r, i f y ou d on t l ik e t he m! W he n t he M ou se h ea rd t hi s, i t t ur ne d r ou nd a nd s wa m s lo wl y b ac k t o h er ;i ts f ac e w as qu it e p al e ( wi th p as si on , A li ce t ho ug ht ), a nd i t s ai d i n a l ow t re mb li ng v oi ce , Le t u s ge t t o

t he s ho re , a nd t he n I l l t el l y ou m y hi st or y, a nd y ou l l u nde rs ta nd w hy i t i s I h at e c at s a nd d og s.

I t w as h ig h t im e t o g o, f or t he p oo l w as g et ti ng q ui te c ro wd ed w it h t he b ir ds a nd a ni ma ls t ha t h ad f al le n

i nt o i t: t he re w er e a D uc k a nd a D odo , a Lo ry a nd a n E agl et , a nd s ev er al ot he r c ur ious c re at ur es . A li ce

l ed t he w ay , a nd t he wh ol e pa rt y s wa m t o t he s ho re .


15/83

A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale

T HE Y w er e i nd eed a q ueer- l oo ki ng p ar t y t hat ass emb led o n t he b an k- - th e b ir ds w it h d ragg led f eat hers ,

t he ani mals w it h t heir f ur cli ng in g clo se t o t hem, and all d ri pp in g w et , cro ss , and u ncom fo rt ab le.

T he f ir st q ue st io n o f c ou rs e w as , h ow t o g et d ry a ga in : t he y h ad a c on su lt at io n a bo ut t hi s, a nd a ft er a f ew

m in ut es i t s eemed q ui te n at ur al t o A li ce t o f in d h er self t al ki ng f am il iarl y w it h t hem, as i f s he h ad k no wnt he m a ll h er l if e, s he h ad qu it e a l on g a rg um en t w it h t he L or y, w ho a t l as t t ur ne d s ul ky, a nd w ou ld o nl y

s ay , I a m o ld er t ha n y ou , a nd m us t k no w b et te r ; a nd t hi s A li ce w oul d n ot a ll ow w it ho ut kn ow ing h ow

ol d i t wa s, a nd, a s t he Lo ry po si ti ve ly r ef us ed t o t el l i ts a ge , t he re w as no m or e t o be s ai d.

A t l as t t he M ou se , wh o s ee me d t o be a pe rs on o f a ut hor it y a mong t he m, c al le d o ut , Si t do wn, a ll of

you, and l ist en to me ! I ll soon ma ke you dr y enough! The y a ll sa t down at once , i n a la rge ri ng, wit h t he

M ou se i n t he m id dl e. A li ce k ep t h er e ye s a nx io us ly f ix ed o n i t, f or s he f el t s ur e s he w ou ld c at ch a b ad

c ol d i f s he di d not g et d ry v er y s oon.

Ahe m! s ai d t he M ou se w it h a n i mp or ta nt a ir . Ar e y ou a ll r ea dy ? T hi s i s t he d ri es t t hi ng I k now .S il en ce a ll r ou nd , i f y ou p le as e! W il li am t he C on qu er or , w ho se c au se w as f av ou re d b y t he p op e, w as

s oo n s ub mi tt ed t o b y t he E ng li sh , w ho w an te d l ea de rs , a nd h ad b ee n o f l at e m uc h a cc us to me d t o

u su rp at io n and con qu es t. E dw in and M or car , t he earl s o f M erci a and N or t hu mb ri a-- -

Ug h! s ai d t he L or y, w it h a s hi ver.

I b eg y ou r p ar do n! s ai d t he M ou se, f ro wn in g, b ut v er y p ol it el y. Di d y ou s peak ?

No t I ! s ai d t he L or y h as ti ly .

I t ho ug ht y ou d id , s ai d t he M ou se .- - I p ro ce ed . Ed wi n a nd M or ca r, t he e ar ls o f M er ci a a ndNorthumbria, declared for him: and even Stigand, the patriotic Archbishop of Canterbury, found it

advisable--


16/83

Fo un d w hat ? s ai d t he D uck.

Fo un d i t, t he M ou se r ep li ed r at her cro ss ly : of cou rs e y ou k no w w hat it m eans .

I kn ow wh at it m ea ns w el l e no ugh , w he n I f ind a t hi ng , s ai d t he D uc k: it s ge ne ra ll y a f ro g o r a

w or m. T he q uest io n i s, w hat d id t he A rchb is ho p f in d?

T he M ou se d id n ot n ot ic e t hi s q ue st io n, b ut h ur ri ed ly w en t o n, - -f ou nd i t a dv is ab le t o g o w it h E dg ar

A th el in g t o m eet W il li am and o ff er h im t he cro wn . W il li am s con du ct at f ir st w as m od er at e. B ut t he

i ns ol en ce o f h is N or ma ns -- - H ow a re y ou g et ti ng o n n ow , m y d ea r? i t c on ti nu ed , t ur ni ng t o A li ce a s i t

spoke.

As we t a s e ve r, s ai d Al ice i n a me la nchol y t one : it doe snt s ee m t o dry m e at a ll.

In t ha t c as e, s ai d t he D od o s ol em nl y, r is in g t o i ts f ee t, I m ov e t ha t t he m ee ti ng a dj ou rn, f or t he

immediate adoption of more energetic remedies---

Sp eak E ng li sh ! s ai d t he E ag let. I d on t k no w t he m eani ng o f h al f t ho se l on g w or ds , and , w hat s m or e,

I don t be li eve you do e it he r! A nd t he Ea gl et be nt d own i ts he ad t o h id e a s mi le : s ome of t he ot he r bi rds

tittered audibly.

Wh at I wa s go ing t o s ay, s ai d t he D odo i n a n of fe nde d t one , wa s, t ha t t he b es t t hi ng t o ge t us dr y

w ou ld b e a C au cu s- ra ce .

Wha t i s a C auc us -r ac e? s ai d A li ce ; n ot t ha t s he m uc h w an te d t o k no w, bu t t he Do do ha d pa us ed a s i f

i t t ho ug ht t ha t s om eb od y o ug ht t o s pe ak , a nd n o o ne e ls e s ee me d i nc li ne d t o s ay a ny th in g.

Why, s ai d t he Dodo, the be st wa y t o e xpla in i t i s to do i t. ( And, a s you mi ght l ike t o t ry t he thi ng

y ou rs el f s om e w in te r d ay , I w il l t el l y ou h ow t he D od o m an ag ed i t. )

Fi rs t i t m ar ke d ou t a r ac e- co ur se , i n a s or t of c ir cl e ( t he e xa ct s ha pe do es n t ma tt er , i t s ai d) , a nd t he n

a ll t he p ar ty w er e pl ac ed a lon g t he c our se , h er e a nd t he re . Th er e w as no On e, t wo , t hr ee , a nd a wa y,

but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know

wh en t he r ac e wa s ove r. How eve r, w he n t he y ha d b ee n r unn ing ha lf a n hour or s o, a nd w er e qui te dr y

a ga in , t he D od o s ud de nl y c al le d o ut Th e r ac e i s o ve r! a nd t he y a ll c ro wd ed r ou nd i t, p an ti ng , a nd

ask in g, Bu t w ho h as w on ?

T hi s q ue st io n t he D od o c ou ld n ot a ns we r w it ho ut a g re at d ea l o f t ho ug ht , a nd i t s at f or a l on g t im e w it h

o ne f in ger p ress ed u po n i ts f or eh ead ( th e p os it io n i n w hi ch y ou u su al ly s ee S hakesp eare, i n t he p ictu res

o f h im ), w hi le t he r es t w ai te d i n s il en ce . a t l as t t he D od o s ai d, Eve ry bo dy h as w on , a nd a ll m us t ha ve

prizes.

Bu t w ho i s t o g iv e t he p ri ze s? q ui te a c ho ru s o f v oi ce s a sk ed .

W hy , s he , o f c ou rs e, s ai d t he D od o, p oi nt in g t o A li ce w it h o ne f in ge r; a nd t he w ho le p ar ty a t o nc e

cro wd ed r ou nd h er , cal li ng o ut i n a con fu sed w ay , Pr izes ! P ri zes!

Al ice had no i dea what to do, and in des pa ir she put he r ha nd i n he r pocket, and pulle d out a box of

c om fi ts ( lu ck il y t he s al t w at er h ad n ot g ot i nt o i t) , a nd h an de d t he m r oun d a s p ri ze s. T he re w as e xa ct ly

o ne a -p ie ce a ll r ou nd .


17/83

Bu t s he m us t h av e a p ri ze h er se lf , y ou k no w, s ai d t he M ou se .

Of c ou rs e, t he D od o r ep li ed v er y g ra ve ly . Wh at e ls e h av e y ou g ot i n y ou r p oc ke t? h e w en t o n,

turning to Alice.

Only a thimble, said Alice sadly.

Ha nd i t o ve r h er e, s ai d t he D od o.

T hen t hey all cro wd ed r ou nd h er o nce m or e, w hi le t he D od o s ol em nl y p resent ed t he t hi mb le, s ay in g,

We b eg y ou r accep tance o f t hi s elegant t hi mb le; and , w hen i t h ad f in is hed t hi s s ho rt s peech, t hey all

cheered.

Al ic e t ho ug ht t he w ho le t hi ng v er y a bs ur d, b ut t he y a ll l oo ke d s o g ra ve t ha t s he d id n ot d ar e t o l au gh ;

a nd , a s s he c ou ld n ot t hi nk o f a ny thi ng t o s ay , s he s im pl y b ow ed , a nd t oo k t he t hi mb le , l oo ki ng a s s ol em n

a s s he c ou ld .

T he n ex t t hi ng w as t o e at t he c om fi ts : t hi s c au se d s om e n oi se a nd c on fu si on , a s t he l ar ge b ir ds

c om pl ai ne d t ha t t he y c oul d no t t as te t he ir s, a nd t he s ma ll on es c ho ke d a nd h ad t o b e p at te d on t he b ac k.

Ho we ve r, i t wa s ov er a t l as t, a nd t he y s at do wn a ga in i n a r in g, a nd be gg ed t he M ous e t o t el l t he m

something more.

Yo u p ro mi se d t o t el l m e y ou r h is to ry , y ou k no w, s ai d A li ce , an d w hy i t i s y ou h at e- -C a nd D , s he

a dd ed i n a w hi sp er , h al f a fr ai d t ha t i t w ou ld b e o ff en de d a ga in .


18/83


19/83

I w is h I h ad n t m en ti on ed D in ah ! s he s ai d t o h er se lf i n a m el an ch ol y t on e. No bo dy s ee ms t o l ik e h er ,

do wn he re , a nd I m s ur e s he s t he be st c at i n t he w or ld! Oh , my d ea r Di na h! I w ond er i f I s ha ll e ve r s ee

y ou a ny m or e! A nd h er e p oo r A li ce b eg an t o c ry a ga in , f or s he f el t v er y l on el y a nd l ow -s pi ri te d. I n a

l it tl e w hi le, h ow ev er , s he again h eard a l it tl e p at teri ng o f f oo ts teps i n t he d is tance, and s he l oo ked u p

eag er ly , h al f h op in g t hat t he M ou se h ad chang ed h is m in d, and w as com in g b ack t o f in is h h is s to ry .

The Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill

I T w as t he W hi te R ab bi t, t ro tt in g s lo wl y b ac k a ga in , a nd l oo ki ng a nx io us ly a bo ut a s i t w en t, a s i f i t h ad

l os t s om et hi ng ; a nd s he h ea rd i t m ut te ri ng t o i ts el f, The D uc he ss ! T he D uc he ss ! O h m y d ea r p aw s! O h

m y f ur a nd w hi ske rs ! S he l l g et m e e xe cut ed , a s s ur e a s f er re ts a re f er re ts ! W he re c an I h ave dr opp ed

t he m, I w on de r? A li ce g ue ss ed i n a m om en t t ha t i t w as l oo ki ng f or t he f an a nd t he p ai r o f w hi te k id

g lo ves, and s he v er y g oo d- natu redl y b eg an h un ti ng abo ut f or t hem, b ut t hey w er e n ow here t o b e

s ee n- -e ve ry th in g s ee me d t o h av e c ha ng ed s in ce h er s wi m i n t he p oo l, a nd t he g re at h al l, w it h t he g la ss

t ab le and t he l it tl e d oo r, h ad v an is hed com pl et el y.

V er y s oo n t he R ab bi t n ot ic ed A li ce , a s s he w en t h un ti ng a bo ut , a nd c al le d o ut t o h er i n a n a ng ry t on e,

Wh y, M ar y A nn, w ha t a re yo u d oi ng o ut h er e? R un h om e t hi s m om en t, a nd f et ch m e a p ai r o f g lov es

a nd a fa n! Qui ck now! And Al ic e wa s s o muc h fr ight ene d tha t s he r an of f a t onc e in t he dir ec ti on i t

pointed to, without trying to explain the mistake it had made.

He t oo k m e f or h is h ou se ma id , s he s ai d t o h er se lf a s s he r an . Ho w s ur pr is ed h e ll b e w he n h e f in ds

out who I a m! B ut I d be tt er t ak e hi m hi s f an an d gl ove s- -t ha t i s, i f I c an f ind t he m. As she s aid t hi s, s he

c am e upon a n ea t l it tl e h ous e, on t he door of w hi ch w as a br ight br as s pl at e wi th t he na me W.

R AB BI T eng raved u po n i t. S he w en t i n w it ho ut k no ck in g, and h ur ri ed u ps tair s, i n g reat f ear l es t s hes hou ld m ee t t he r ea l M ar y A nn, a nd be t ur ne d ou t of t he hous e be for e s he ha d f oun d t he f an a nd gl ove s.

Ho w q ue er i t s ee ms , A li ce s ai d t o h er se lf , to b e g oi ng m es sa ge s f or a r ab bi t! I s up po se D in ah l l b e

s en di ng m e o n m es sages n ex t! A nd s he b eg an f an cy in g t he s or t o f t hi ng t hat w ou ld h ap pen: M is s

A li ce ! C om e h er e d ir ec tl y, a nd ge t r ea dy f or y ou r w al k! Co mi ng i n a m in ut e, nu rs e! B ut I v e g ot t o

w at ch t hi s m ou se -h ol e t il l D in ah c om es b ac k, a nd s ee t ha t t he m ou se d oe sn t g et o ut . O nl y I d on t

t hi nk , A li ce w ent o n, th at t he y d l et D in ah s to p i n t he ho us e i f i t b eg an or de ri ng p eo pl e a bo ut l ike t ha t!

By t hi s ti me s he ha d found he r wa y i nt o a t idy l it tle r oom wi th a t able i n the window, a nd on i t ( as she

had hoped) a fan and t wo or three pa irs of tiny white kid gloves: she took up the fan and a pair of theg lo ve s, a nd w as j us t g oi ng t o l ea ve t he r oo m, w he n h er e ye f el l u po n a l it tl e b ot tl e t ha t s to od n ea r t he

l oo ki ng -g lass . T here w as n o l ab el t hi s t im e w it h t he w or ds DR IN K M E, b ut n ev er th el es s s he u ncor ked

i t a nd p ut i t t o h er l ip s. I k no w s om et hi ng i nt er es ti ng i s s ur e t o h ap pe n, s he s ai d t o h er se lf , wh en ev er I

e at or dr ink a nyt hi ng; s o I l l j us t s ee w ha t t hi s bot tl e doe s. I do hope it l l m ake me gr ow la rge a ga in, f or

r eall y I m q ui te t ir ed o f b ei ng s uch a t in y l it tl e t hi ng !

I t di d s o i nde ed, a nd m uc h s oo ne r t ha n s he h ad e xp ec te d: b ef or e s he ha d dr unk ha lf t he b ot tl e, s he

f ou nd h er h ea d p re ss in g a ga in st t he c ei li ng , a nd h ad t o s to op t o s av e h er n ec k f ro m b ei ng b ro ke n. S he

h as ti ly p ut d ow n t he b ot tl e, s ay in g t o h er se lf , Th at s q ui te e no ug h- -I h op e I s ha n t g ro w a ny m or e- -A s i t

i s, I c an t g et o ut a t t he do or -- I d o w is h I ha dn t d run k q ui te s o mu ch !

Al as ! I t wa s t oo l at e t o wi sh t ha t! She w ent on gr owi ng, a nd g row ing, a nd ve ry s oon ha d t o kn ee l dow n

o n t he f lo or : i n a no the r m in ut e t he re w as n ot e ve n r oo m f or t hi s, a nd s he t ri ed t he e ff ec t o f l yi ng d ow n


20/83

w it h o ne e lb ow a ga in st t he d oo r, a nd t he o th er a rm c ur le d r ou nd h er h ea d. S ti ll s he w en t o n g ro wi ng ,

and, as a l ast re sourc e, she put one a rm out of the wi ndow, and one foot up the chimney, a nd s aid t o

h er se lf , No w I c an d o n o m or e, w ha te ve r h ap pe ns . W ha t w il l b ec om e o f m e?

Lu ck il y f or Al ic e, t he l it tl e m ag ic b ot tl e h ad n ow ha d i ts f ul l e ff ec t, a nd s he g re w no l ar ge r: s ti ll i t wa s

ve ry unc om for ta bl e, a nd, a s t he re s ee me d t o be n o s or t of c ha nc e of he r e ve r ge tt ing o ut of t he r oom

again , n o w on der s he f el t u nh ap py .

It w as m uch p leas an ter at h om e, t ho ug ht p oo r A li ce, wh en o ne w as n t alw ay s g ro wi ng l ar ger ands ma ll er , a nd b ei ng o rd er ed a bo ut b y m ic e a nd r ab bi ts . I a lm os t w is h I h ad n t g on e d ow n t ha t

r ab bi t- ho le -- an d y et -- an d y et -- it s r at he r c ur io us , y ou k no w, t hi s s or t o f l if e! I d o w on de r w ha t c an h av e

h ap pe ne d t o m e! W he n I u se d t o r ea d f ai ry -t al es , I f an ci ed t ha t k in d o f t hi ng n ev er h ap pe ne d, a nd n ow

he re I a m i n t he m iddl e of one ! Th er e o ught t o be a bo ok w ri tt en a bo ut m e, t ha t t he re oug ht ! A nd wh en I

g ro w u p, I l l w ri te o ne -- bu t I m g ro wn u p n ow , s he a dd ed i n a s or ro wf ul t on e: at l ea st t he re s n o r oo m

to grow up any more her e.

Bu t t he n, t ho ug ht A li ce , sh al l I ne ve r g et a ny o ld er t ha n I a m n ow ? T ha t ll b e a c om for t, on e

w ay -- ne ve r t o b e a n o ld w om an -- bu t t he n- - a lw ay s t o h av e l es so ns t o l ea rn ! O h, I s ho ul dn t l ik e t ha t!

Oh , y ou f oo li sh A li ce! s he ans wered h er self . Ho w can y ou l earn l es so ns i n h er e? W hy , t heres h ar dl y

r oo m f or y ou , a nd n o r oo m a t a ll f or a ny l es so n- bo ok s!

A nd s o s he w en t o n, t ak in g f ir st o ne s id e a nd t he n t he o th er , a nd m ak in g q ui te a c on ve rs at io n o f i t

a lt og et he r; b ut a ft er a f ew m in ut es s he h ea rd a v oi ce o ut si de , a nd s to pp ed t o l is te n.

Mary A nn ! M ar y A nn ! s ai d t he v oi ce. Fetch m e m y g lo ves t hi s m om en t! T hen cam e a l it tl e p at teri ng

of f ee t on t he s ta irs . A li ce kne w i t wa s t he Ra bbi t c omi ng t o l oo k f or he r, a nd s he t re mbl ed t il l s he s hook

t he hou se , qu it e f or ge tt in g t ha t s he w as now a bout a t hous an d t ime s a s l ar ge a s t he Ra bbi t, a nd ha d n o

r ea son t o b e a fr ai d o f i t.

P re se nt ly t he R ab bi t c am e u p t o t he do or , a nd t ri ed t o o pe n i t; b ut , a s t he do or op ene d i nw ar ds , a nd

A li ce s e lb ow w as p re ss ed h ar d a ga in st i t, t ha t a tt em pt p ro ve d a f ai lu re . A li ce h ea rd i t s ay t o i ts el f, Th en


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I l l go r oun d a nd ge t i n a t t he w ind ow .

Th at y ou w on t ! t ho ug ht A li ce, and , aft er w ai ti ng t il l s he f an ci ed s he h eard t he R ab bi t j us t u nd er t he

wi ndo w, s he s udd enl y s pr ea d o ut he r ha nd, a nd ma de a s na tc h i n t he a ir . Sh e di d no t g et h ol d of

a ny th in g, b ut s he h ea rd a l it tl e s hr ie k a nd a f al l, a nd a c ra sh o f b ro ke n g la ss , f rom w hi ch s he c on cl ud ed

t ha t i t w as j us t po ss ib le i t h ad f al le n i nt o a c uc um be r- fr am e, o r s om et hi ng o f t he s or t.

N ex t c am e a n a ng ry v oi ce -- th e R ab bi t s- - Pa t! P at ! W he re a re y ou ? A nd t he n a v oi ce s he h ad n ev er

h eard b ef or e, Su re t hen I m h er e! D ig gi ng f or app les, y er h on ou r!

Di gg in g f or app les, i nd eed! s ai d t he R ab bi t ang ri ly . Here! C om e and h el p m e o ut o f t hi s! ( So un ds o f

m or e b ro ken g las s. )

No w t el l m e, P at , w ha t s t ha t i n t he w in do w?

Su re, i t s an arm , y er h on ou r! ( He p ro no un ced i t ar ru m. )

A n a rm , y ou g oo se ! W ho e ve r s aw o ne t ha t s iz e? W hy , i t f il ls t he w ho le w in do w!

Su re , i t d oe s, y er h on ou r: b ut i t s a n a rm f or a ll t ha t.

We ll , i t s got n o bu si ne ss t he re , a t a ny r at e: go a nd t ake i t a wa y!

T he re w as a l on g s il en ce a ft er t hi s, a nd A li ce c ou ld o nl y h ea r w hi sp er s n ow a nd t he n; s uc h a s, Su re , I

do n t l ike i t, ye r hon our , a t a ll , a t a ll ! Do a s I t el l y ou, yo u c owa rd! a nd a t l as t s he s pr ea d out he r ha nd

a ga in , a nd m ad e a no th er s na tc h i n t he a ir . T hi s t im e t he re w er e t wo l it tl e s hr ie ks , a nd m or e s ou nd s of

broken glass. What a number of cucumber-frames there must be! thought Alice. I wonder what theyll

do next ! As for pull ing me out of t he wi ndow, I only wi sh the y c ould! I m s ur e I dont wa nt to s tay i n

here any longer!


22/83

S he w ai ted f or s om e t im e w it ho ut h eari ng any th in g m or e: at l as t cam e a r um bl in g o f l it tl e car tw heel s, and

t he s ou nd o f a g oo d m an y v oi ce s a ll t al ki ng t og et he r: s he m ad e o ut t he w or ds : Wh er e s t he o th er

l ad de r? -- Wh y, I h ad n t t o b ri ng b ut o ne ; B il l s g ot t he o th er -- Bi ll ! F et ch i t h er e, l ad !- - H er e, p ut em u p

at t hi s cor ner- -N o, t ie em t og et her f ir st -- th ey d on t r each h al f h ig h eno ug h y et -- Oh ! t hey ll d o w el l

eno ug h; d on t b e p ar ti cul ar - -H er e, B il l! catch h ol d o f t hi s r op e- -W il l t he r oo f b ear?- -M in d t hat l oo se

s la te -- Oh , i t s c om in g d ow n! H ea ds b el ow ! ( a l ou d c ra sh )- - No w, w ho d id t ha t? -- It w as B il l, I

f an cy -- Wh o s t o g o d ow n t he c hi mn ey ?- -- Na y, I s ha n t! Y ou d o i t! - -T ha t I w on t , t he n! -- Bi ll s t o g od ow n- -H er e, B il l! t he m as ter s ay s y ou v e t o g o d ow n t he chi mn ey !

Oh ! S o B il l s g ot t o c om e d ow n t he c hi mn ey , h as h e? s ai d A li ce t o h er se lf . Wh y, t he y s ee m t o p ut

e ve ry th ing u po n B il l! I w oul dn t b e i n B il l s p la ce f or a g oo d d ea l: t hi s f ir ep la ce i s n ar row , t o b e s ur e; b ut

I t hink I c an ki ck a li tt le !

She dre w he r f oot a s f ar down t he c hi mne y a s s he c oul d, a nd wa it ed t il l s he he ar d a l it tle a nim al (s he

cou ld n t g uess o f w hat s or t i t w as ) s cr at ch in g and s cr am bl in g abo ut i n t he chi mn ey clo se abo ve h er : t hen,

s ay ing t o h er se lf , Th is i s B il l, s he g av e o ne s ha rp k ic k, a nd w ai te d t o s ee w ha t w ou ld h ap pe n n ex t.

T he f ir st t hi ng s he h ea rd w as a ge ne ra l c hor us o f Th er e g oe s B il l! t he n t he R ab bi t s vo ic e a lo ne --


23/83

Catch h im , y ou b y t he h ed ge! t hen s il en ce, and t hen, ano th er con fu si on o f v oi ces- -Ho ld u p h is

h ea d- -B ra nd y n ow -- Do n t c ho ke h im -- Ho w w as i t, o ld f el lo w? W ha t h ap pe ne d t o y ou ? T el l u s a ll a bo ut

it!

L as t cam e a l it tl e f eebl e, s qu eaki ng v oi ce ( T hat s B il l, t ho ug ht A li ce), Well , I h ar dl y k no w- -N o m or e,

t ha nk y e; I m b et te r n ow -- bu t I m a d ea l t oo f lu st er ed t o t el l y ou -- al l I k no w i s, s om et hi ng c om es a t m e

l ik e a J ac k- in -t he -b ox , a nd u p I g oe s l ik e a s ky -r oc ke t!

So y ou d id , o ld f el lo w! s ai d t he o th er s.

We m us t b ur n t he h ou se d ow n! s ai d t he R ab bi t s v oi ce . A nd A li ce c al le d o ut a s l ou d a s s he c ou ld , If

y ou do , I l l s et D in ah a t y ou!

T he re w as a d ea d s il en ce i ns ta nt ly , a nd A li ce t ho ug ht t o he rs el f, I w on de r w ha t t he y w il l d o n ex t! I f t he y

h ad a ny s en se , t he y d t ak e t he r oo f O ff . A ft er a m in ut e o r t wo , t he y b eg an m ov in g a bo ut a ga in , a nd

A li ce h eard t he R ab bi t s ay , A b ar ro wf ul w il l d o, t o b eg in w it h.

A b ar ro wf ul o f w ha t? t hou gh t A li ce . B ut s he h ad n ot l on g t o d ou bt , f or t he ne xt m om en t a s ho we r o f

l it tl e p eb bl es c am e r at tl in g i n a t t he w in do w, a nd s om e o f t he m h it h er i n t he f ac e. I ll p ut a s to p t o t hi s,

s he s ai d t o h er se lf , a nd s ho ut ed o ut , Yo u d b et te r n ot d o t ha t a ga in ! w hi ch p ro du ce d a no th er d ea d

silence.

A li ce n ot ic ed w it h s om e s ur pr is e t ha t t he p ebb le s w er e a ll t ur ni ng i nt o l it tl e c ak es a s t he y l ay o n t he f loo r,

a nd a b ri gh t i de a c ame i nt o he r h ea d. If I e at on e o f t he se c ake s, s he t ho ugh t, it s s ur e t o m ak e s om e

c ha ng e i n m y s iz e; a nd , a s i t c an t p os si bl y m ak e m e l ar ge r, i t m us t m ak e m e s ma ll er , I s up po se .

So s he s wa ll ow ed o ne o f t he c ak es , a nd w as d el ig ht ed t o f in d t ha t s he b eg an s hr in ki ng d ir ec tl y. A s s oo n

a s s he wa s s ma ll e no ugh t o ge t t hr ough t he do or , s he r an ou t o f t he ho us e, a nd f oun d q ui te a c rowd of l it tl e ani mals and b ir ds w ai ti ng o ut si de. T he p oo r l it tl e L izar d, B il l, w as i n t he m id dl e, b ei ng h el d u p b y

t wo gu ine a- pi gs , w ho w er e g iv in g i t s om et hi ng ou t o f a bo tt le . Th ey a ll ma de a r us h a t Al ic e t he m om en t

s he a ppe ar ed; b ut s he r an of f a s ha rd a s s he c oul d, a nd s oon f ou nd he rs el f s af e i n a t hi ck wo od .

The f ir st t hi ng I ve got t o do, s ai d A li ce t o he rs el f, a s s he wa nde re d a bou t i n t he wo od, is t o gr ow t o

m y r ig ht s iz e a ga in; a nd t he s ec ond t hi ng i s t o f in d m y w ay i nt o t ha t l ove ly g ar de n. I t hi nk t ha t wi ll be t he

best plan.

I t s ou nd ed an excel lent p lan, n o d ou bt , and v er y n eatl y and s im pl y arr an ged; t he o nl y d if fi cu lt y w as , t hat

s he h ad n ot t he s ma ll es t i de a h ow t o s et a bo ut i t; a nd , w hi le s he w as p ee ri ng a bo ut a nx io us ly a mo ng t het re es , a l it tl e ba rk j us t o ve r h er he ad m ad e he r l ook u p i n a gr ea t h ur ry .

A n e no rm ou s p up py w as l oo ki ng d ow n a t h er w it h l ar ge r ou nd e ye s, a nd f ee bl y s tr et ch in g o ut o ne p aw ,

t ry ing t o t ou ch h er . Poo r l it tl e t hi ng ! s ai d A li ce , i n a c oa xi ng t on e, a nd s he t ri ed h ar d t o w hi st le t o i t; b ut

s he w as t er ri bl y f ri gh te ne d a ll t he t ime a t t he t hou gh t t ha t i t m ig ht b e hu ng ry , i n wh ic h c as e i t w oul d be

v er y l ik el y t o e at he r u p i n s pi te of a ll h er c oa xi ng.


24/83

H ar dl y k no wi ng w ha t s he d id , s he p ic ke d u p a l it tl e b it o f s ti ck , a nd h el d i t o ut t o t he p up py ; w he re up on

t he puppy jum pe d i nt o t he a ir of f a ll i ts f ee t a t onc e, w it h a ye lp of de li ght , a nd rus he d a t t he s tic k, a nd

m ad e b el ie ve t o w or ry i t; t he n A li ce d od ge d b eh in d a g re at t hi st le , t o k ee p h er se lf f ro m b ei ng r un o ve r;

a nd , t he m om en t s he a pp ea re d o n t he o th er s id e, t he p up py m ad e a no th er r us h a t t he s ti ck , a nd t um bl ed

he ad ov er h ee ls i n i ts h ur ry t o g et h ol d of i t; t he n Al ic e, t hi nk ing i t w as v er y l ike h av in g a g am e of pl ay

w it h a c ar t- ho rs e, a nd e xp ec ti ng e ve ry m om en t t o b e t ra mp le d u nd er i ts f ee t, r an r ou nd t he t hi st le a ga in ;

t he n t he p up py b eg an a s er ie s o f s ho rt c ha rg es a t t he s ti ck , r un ni ng a v er y l it tl e w ay f or wa rd s e ac h t im e

a nd a l on g w ay b ac k, a nd b ar ki ng h oa rs el y a ll t he w hi le , t il l a t l as t i t s at d ow n a g oo d w ay o ff , p an ti ng ,

w it h i ts t on gu e h an gi ng o ut o f i ts m ou th , and i ts g reat eyes h al f s hu t.

T hi s s ee me d t o A li ce a g ood opp or tuni ty f or m aki ng he r e sc ape ; s o s he s et o ff a t onc e, a nd r an t il l s he

w as q ui te t ir ed a nd o ut o f b re at h, a nd t il l t he p up py s b ar k s ou nd ed q ui te f ai nt i n t he d is ta nc e.

And ye t wha t a de ar l it tl e puppy i t wa s! s ai d Al ic e, a s s he l ea nt a ga ins t a bu tt er cup t o r es t he rs el f, a nd

f an ne d h er se lf w it h o ne o f t he l ea ve s. I s ho ul d h ave l ike d t ea ch ing i t t ri cks ve ry m uc h, i f- - i f I d on ly

been the right size to do it! Oh dear! Id nearly forgotten that Ive got to grow up again! Let me

s ee ho w i s i t t o b e m ana ge d? I s upp os e I ou gh t t o e at or d ri nk s ome th ing o r ot he r; bu t t he g re at

question is, what?

T he g re at q ue st io n c er ta in ly w as , w ha t? A li ce l oo ke d a ll r ou nd h er a t t he f lo we rs a nd t he b la de s o f

g ra ss , b ut s he c ou ld n ot s ee a ny th in g t ha t l oo ke d l ik e t he r ig ht t hi ng t o e at o r d ri nk u nd er t he


25/83

cir cu ms tances . T here w as a l ar ge m us hr oo m g ro wi ng n ear h er , abo ut t he s am e w ei gh t as h er self ; and ,

wh en s he ha d l ooke d un de r i t, a nd o n b ot h s ide s o f i t, a nd be hi nd i t, i t oc cur re d t o he r t ha t s he m ight a s

well look a nd s ee wha t was on the top of it .

Sh e s tr et che d h er se lf u p o n t ip toe , a nd p ee pe d o ve r t he e dg e o f t he m us hr oo m, a nd h er e ye s

i mm ed iately m et t ho se o f a l ar ge b lu e cat er pi ll ar , t hat w as s it ti ng o n t he t op w it h i ts arm s f ol ded q ui et ly

s mok in g a l on g h oo ka h, a nd t ak in g no t t he s ma ll es t n ot ic e o f he r or o f a nyt hi ng e ls e.

Advice from a Caterpillar

T H E C at er pi ll ar a nd A li ce l oo ke d a t e ac h o th er f or s om e t im e i n s il en ce : a t l as t t he C at er pi ll ar t oo k t he

h oo ka h o ut o f i ts m ou th , a nd a dd re ss ed h er i n a l an gu id s le ep y v oi ce .

Wh o are y ou ? s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar . T hi s w as n ot an encou ragi ng o peni ng f or a con vers at io n. A li ce

r epl ie d, r at he r s hyl y, I- -I ha rd ly k no w, s ir , j us t a t pr es ent -- at l ea st I k no w w ho I wa s w he n I go t up t hi s

m or ni ng , b ut I t hi nk I m us t h av e b een chang ed s ev er al t im es s in ce t hen.

Wh at d o y ou m ean b y t hat? s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar s tern ly . Ex pl ai n y ou rs el f!

I can t exp lain m ys el f, I m afr ai d, s ir , s ai d A li ce, becaus e I m n ot m ys el f, y ou s ee.

I d on t s ee, s ai d t he C at erp il l ar .


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I m afr ai d I can t p ut i t m or e clear ly , A li ce r ep li ed v er y p ol it el y, fo r I can t u nd er st an d i t m ys el f t o

begin with; and being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing.

It i sn t , s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar .

We ll , p er ha ps y ou h av en t f ou nd i t s o y et , s ai d A li ce ; bu t w he n y ou h av e t o t ur n i nt o a c hr ys al is -- y ou

w il l s om e da y, yo u k no w- -a nd t he n a ft er t ha t i nt o a bu tt er fl y, I s ho ul d t hi nk y ou l l f ee l i t a l it tl e q ue er ,wont you?

No t a b it , s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar .

Well , p er haps y ou r f eeli ng s m ay b e d if ferent , s ai d A li ce; al l I k no w i s, i t w ou ld f eel v er y q ueer t om e.

You! said the Caterpillar contemptuously. Who are you?

W hi ch b ro ug ht t hem b ack again t o t he b eg in ni ng o f t he con vers at io n. A li ce f el t a l it tl e i rr it at ed at t he

cat er pi ll ar s m ak in g s uch v er y s ho rt r em ar ks , and s he d rew h er self u p and s ai d, v er y g ravely , I t hi nk y ouo ug ht t o t el l m e w ho y ou a re , f ir st .

Why? said the Caterpillar.

H er e w as a no th er p uz zl in g q ue st io n; a nd a s A li ce c ou ld n ot t hi nk o f a ny g oo d r ea so n, a nd a s t he

C at er pi ll ar s ee me d t o b e i n a v er y u np le as an t s ta te o f m in d, s he t ur ne d a wa y.

Co me b ack! t he C at er pi ll ar cal led aft er h er . I ve s om et hi ng i mp or tant t o s ay !

This sounded promising, certainly: Alice turned and came back again.

K eep y ou r t emp er , s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar.

Is t ha t a ll ? s ai d A li ce , s wa ll ow in g do wn h er a ng er a s w el l a s s he c ou ld .

No , s aid t he C at er pi ll ar .

A li ce t ho ugh t s he m ig ht a s w el l w ai t, a s s he h ad no th ing e ls e t o do , a nd p er ha ps a ft er a ll i t m igh t t el l he r

s om et hi ng w or th h eari ng . F or s om e m in ut es i t p uf fed away w it ho ut s peak in g, b ut at l as t i t u nf ol ded i ts

a rm s, t oo k t he h oo ka h o ut o f i ts m ou th a ga in , a nd s ai d, So y ou t hi nk y ou r e c ha ng ed , d o y ou ?

I m a fr ai d I a m, s ir , s ai d A li ce ; I c an t r eme mbe r t hi ngs a s I u se d- -a nd I do n t k ee p t he s am e s iz e f or

ten minutes together!

Cant remember what things? said the Caterpillar.

We ll , I v e t ri ed t o s ay Ho w d ot h t he l it tl e b us y be e, b ut i t a ll c am e d if fe re nt ! A li ce r ep li ed i n a v er y

melancholy voice.

Repeat Yo u are o ld , F at her W il li am , s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar .

Al ic e f ol de d h er h an ds , a nd b eg an : --


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Yo u a re o ld , F at he r W il li am , t he y ou ng m an s ai d,

An d y ou r h ai r h as b ec om e v er y w hi te ;

An d y et y ou i nc es sa nt ly s ta nd o n y ou r h ea d- -

Do you thi nk, at y our age, i t is ri ght?

In m y y ou th , F at he r W il li am r ep li ed t o h is s on ,

I f ear ed i t m ig ht i nj ur e t he br ai n;

But, now that Im perfectly sure I have none,

W hy , I do i t ag ai n and agai n.


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Yo u a re o ld , s ai d t he y ou th , as I m en ti on ed b ef or e,

And have grown most uncommonly fat;

Y et y ou t ur ne d a b ac k- so me rs au lt i n a t t he d oo r- -

Pray, what is the reason of that?

I n my y out h, s ai d t he s ag e, as he s ho ok hi s gr ey l oc ks ,

I k ept al l m y l im bs v er y s upp le

b y t he u se o f t hi s o in tm en t- -o ne s hi ll in g t he b ox --

A ll ow m e t o s el l y ou a c oup le ?


29/83

You are old, said the youth, and your jaws are too weak

For anything tougher than suet;

Y et yo u f i n i s hed t h e g o o s e, w i t h t h e bo n es a n d t h e bea k- -

Pray, how did you manage to do it?

In my youth said his father, I took the law.

And argued each case with my wife;

And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw,

H a s l a s t ed th e r es t o f my l i f e.


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Y ou a re o ld , s ai d t he y ou th , on e w ou ld h ar dl y s up po se

T ha t y ou r e ye wa s a s s t ea dy as e v er ;

Y e t y o u b a l a n c e d a n e e l o n t h e e n d o f y o u r n o s e - -

What made you so awfully clever?

I have answered three questions, and that is enough,

S ai d h is f at he r; do n t g iv e y ou rs el f a ir s!

Do y ou t hi nk I c an l is te n a ll d ay t o s uc h s tu ff ?

Be o ff , o r I l l k ic k y ou d ow ns ta ir s. !

Th at i s n ot s ai d r ig ht , s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar .

No t q ui te r ig ht , I m afr ai d, s ai d A li ce, t im id ly ; so me o f t he w or ds h av e g ot alt er ed .

It i s w ro ng f ro m b eg in ni ng t o end , s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar d ecid ed ly , and t here w as s il en ce f or s om e

minutes.

T he C at er pi ll ar w as t he f ir st t o s pe ak .

Wh at s iz e d o y ou w ant t o b e? i t a sk ed .


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Oh , I m n ot p ar ti cu lar as t o s ize, A li ce h as ti ly r ep li ed ; On ly o ne d oesn t l ik e chang in g s o o ft en , y ou

know.

I d on t k no w, s ai d t he C at er pi l lar.

A li ce s ai d n ot hi ng : s he h ad ne ve r be en s o m uc h c on tr ad ic te d i n a ll h er l if e b ef or e, a nd s he f el t t ha t s he

w as l os in g h er t em per.

A re y ou con tent n ow ? s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar .

W el l, I s hou ld l ike t o be a l it tl e l ar ge r, s ir , i f yo u w oul dn t m in d, s ai d A li ce : th re e i nc he s i s s uc h a

w retched h ei gh t t o b e.

It i s a v er y g oo d h ei gh t i nd eed! s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar ang ri ly , r eari ng i ts el f u pr ig ht as i t s po ke ( it w as

exactly three inches high).

But I m not us ed t o i t! p le ade d poor A li ce i n a pi te ous to ne . A nd s he t hou ght t o he rs el f, I wi sh t hecreat ur es w ou ld n t b e s o eas il y o ff en ded!

Y ou ll g et u se d t o i t i n t im e, s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar ; a nd i t p ut t he ho ok ah i nt o i ts m ou th a nd b eg an

smoking again.

T hi s t im e A li ce w ai te d p at ie nt ly u nt il i t c ho se t o s pe ak a ga in . I n a m in ut e o r t wo t he C at er pi ll ar t oo k t he

h oo ka h o ut o f i ts m ou th a nd y aw ne d o nc e o r t wi ce , a nd s ho ok i ts el f. T he n i t g ot d ow n o ff t he m us hr oo m,

a nd c ra wl ed a wa y i nt o t he g ra ss m er el y r em ar ki ng a s i t w en t, On e s id e w il l m ak e y ou g row t al le r, a nd

t he o th er s id e w il l m ak e y ou g ro w s ho rt er .

On e s id e o f w ha t? T he o th er s id e o f w ha t. t ho ug ht A li ce t o h er se lf .

O f t he m us hr oo m, s ai d t he C at er pi ll ar , j us t i f s he h ad a sk ed i t a lo ud ; a nd i n a no th er m om en t i t w as o ut

of sight.

A li ce r em ai ned l oo ki ng t ho ug ht fu ll y at t he m us hr oo m r oo m f or a m in ut e, t ry in g t o m ak e o ut w hi ch w e t he

t wo s id es o f i t; a nd a s i t w as p er fe ct ly r ou nd , s he f ou nd t hi s a v er y d if fi cu lt q ue st io n. H ow ev er , a t l as t s he

str etched he r arms round it as fa r a s the y would go, and broke of f a bit of the e dge with e ach hand

And n ow w hi ch i s w hi ch ? s he s ai d t o h er se lf , a nd n ib bl ed a l it tl e o f t he r ig ht -h an d b it t o t ry t he e ff ec t;

t he n ex t m om en t s he f el t a v io le nt b lo w u nd er ne at h h er c hi n: i t h ad s tr uc k h er f oo t! S he w as a g oo d d ea lf ri gh te ne d b y t hi s v er y s ud de n c ha ng e, b ut s he f el t t ha t t he re w as n o t im e t o b e l os t, a s s he w as s hr in ki ng

r api dl y; s o s he s et t o w or k a t o nc e t o e at s om e o f t he ot he r bi t. H er c hi n w as p re ss ed s o c lo se ly a ga in st

he r f oo t t ha t t he re w as h ar dl y r oom t o op en he r mo ut h; but s he d id i t a t l as t, a nd m ana ge d t o s wa ll ow a

m or sel o f t he l ef t- hand b it .

********** ********** **********

Com e, m y h ea d s f re e a t l as t! s ai d Al ic e i n a t on e o f d el ig ht , w hi ch c ha nge d i nt o a la rm i n a no th er

m om en t, w he n s he f ou nd t ha t h er s ho ul de rs w er e n ow he re t o b e f ou nd : a ll s he c ou ld s ee , w he n h e

l ook ed d own, w as a n i mme ns e l en gt h o f ne ck, whi ch s ee me d t o r is e l ike a s ta lk o ut of a s ea o f gr ee n

l ea ve s t ha t l ay f ar b el ow h er .

Wh at c an a ll t ha t g re en s tu ff b e? s ai d A li ce . An d w he re h av e m y s ho ul de rs g ot t o? A nd o h, m y p oo r


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ha nds , ho w i s i t I c an t s ee y ou? She w as m ov ing t he m a bou t a s s he s pok e, b ut no r es ul t s ee me d t o

f ol lo w, excep t a l it tl e s haki ng amo ng t he d is tant g reen l eaves.

As t he re se emed to be no c ha nce of ge tt ing he r a nds up to he r he ad, she t ri ed to get he r hea d down t o

t he m, a nd w as d el ig ht ed t o f in d t ha t h er n ec k w ou ld b en d a bo ut e as il y i n a ny d ir ec ti on , l ik e a s er pe nt .

S he h ad j us t s uc ce ed ed i n c ur vi ng i t o wn i nt o a g ra ce ful z igz ag , a nd w as go ing t o d iv e i n a mo ng t he

l ea ve s, w hi ch s he f ou nd t o b e n ot hi ng b ut t he t op s o f t he t re es u nd er w hi ch s he h ad b ee n w an de ri ng ,whe n a s ha rp hi ss ma de he r dr aw ba ck i n a h ur ry: a l ar ge pi ge on ha d f lown i nt o he r f ac e, a nd wa s

beating her violently with its wings.

Serpent! screamed the Pigeon.

I m n ot a s er pent ! s ai d A li ce i nd ig nant ly . Let m e alo ne!

Se rpe nt , I s ay a ga in! r ep ea te d t he P ig eo n, bu t i n a m or e s ub due d t on e, a nd a dd ed wi th a ki nd of s ob,

I ve t ri ed every w ay , and n ot hi ng s eems t o s ui t t hem!

I h av en t t he l east i dea w hat y ou r e t al ki ng abo ut , s ai d A li ce.

I ve t ri ed t he r oo ts o f t re es , a nd I v e t ri ed b an ks , a nd I v e t ri ed h ed ge s, t he P ig eo n w en t o n, w it ho ut

att en di ng t o h er ; bu t t ho se s er pent s! T heres n o p leas in g t hem!

A li ce w as m or e a nd m or e p uz zl ed , bu t s he t hou ght t he re w as n o u se s ay in g a ny th in g m or e t il l t he P ige on

had finished.

As i f i t w as n t t ro ub le e no ug h h at ch in g t he e gg s, s ai d t he P ig eon ; but I m us t be o n t he l oo k o ut f or

s er pe nt s n ig ht a nd d ay ! W hy , I h av en t h ad a w in k o f s le ep t he se t hr ee w ee ks !

I m v er y s or ry y ou v e b een ann oy ed , s ai d A li ce, w ho w as b eg in ni ng t o s ee i ts m eani ng .

An d j us t a s I d t ak en t he h ig he st t re e i n t he w oo d, c on ti nu ed t he P ig eo n, r ai si ng i ts v oi ce t o a s hr ie k,

an d j us t a s I w as t hi nk in g I s ho ul d b e f re e o f t he m a t l as t, t he y, m us t n ee ds c om e w ri gg li ng do wn f ro m

t he s ky ! U gh , S er pent !

But I m no t a s er pe nt , I t el l you ! s ai d A li ce I m a -- -I m a -- -

Well ! W hat are y ou ? s ai d t he P ig eo n. I can s ee y ou r e t ry in g t o i nv en t s om et hi ng !

I- -I m a l it tl e g ir l, s ai d A li ce, r at her d ou bt fu ll y, as s he r em em bered t he n um ber o f chang es s he h ad

g on e t hr ou gh t hat d ay .

A l ik el y s to ry i nd ee d! s ai d t he P ig eo n i n t on e o f t he d ee pe st c on te mp t. I ve s ee n a g oo d m an y l it tl e

gi rl s i n m y t im e, bu t n eve r one wi th s uc h a n ec k a s t ha t! No, n o! You r e a s er pe nt ; a nd Th er e s no us e

d en yi ng i t. I s up pos e y ou l l b e t el li ng m e ne xt t ha t y ou ne ve r t as te d a n e gg!

I h av e t as ted egg s, cer tain ly , s ai d A li ce, w ho w as a v er y t ru th fu l chi ld ; bu t l it tl e g ir ls eat egg s q ui te as

m uc h a s s er pe nt s d o, y ou k no w.

I d on t b el ie ve i t, s ai d t he P ig eo n; bu t i f t he y d o, w hy , t he n t he y re a k in d o f s er pe nt , t ha t s a ll I c an

say.


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Thi s wa s s uc h a ne w ide a t o Al ic e, t ha t s he wa s qui te s il ent for a mi nute or t wo, whi ch ga ve the pi ge on

t he o pp or tu ni ty o f a dd in g, Yo u re l oo ki ng f or e gg s, I k no w t ha t w el l e no ug h; a nd w ha t d oe s m at te r t o

m e w he th er yo u re a l it tl e g ir l o r a s er pe nt ?

It m at te rs a g oo d d ea l t om e, s ai d A li ce h as ti ly ; b ut I m n ot l oo ki ng f or e gg s, a s i t h ap pe ns ; a nd i f I

w as , I s ho ul dn t w an t y ou rs : I d on t l ik e t he m r aw

We ll , b e o ff t he n! s ai d t he P ig eo n i n a s ul ky t on e, a s i t s et tl ed d ow n a ga in i nt o i ts n es t. A li ce c ro uc he d

d ow n a mo ng t he t re es a s w el l a s s he c ou ld , f or h er n ec k k ep t g et ti ng e nt an gl ed a mo ng t he b ra nc he s, a nd

e ve ry now a nd t he n s he ha d t o s top a nd unt wi st i t. A ft er a whi le s he r eme mbe re d a t s he s ti ll he ld t he

pieces of mushroom in her hands, and she set to work very carefully, nibbling it at one and then at the

other, and growing sometimes taller and sometimes shorter, until she had succeeded in bringing herself

d ow n t o h er u su al h ei gh t.

I t w as s o l on g s in ce s he ha d b ee n a ny th ing n ea r t he r ig ht s iz e, t ha t i t f el t q ui te s tr ang e a t f ir st ; b ut s he go t

u se d t o i t i n a f ew m in ut es , a nd b eg an t al ki ng t o h er se lf , a s u su al . Co me , t he re s h al f m y p la n d on e no w!

H ow p uz zl in g a ll t he se c ha ng es a re ! I m n eve r s ur e w ha t I m g oi ng t o b e, f ro m o ne m in ut e t o a not he r!H ow eve r, I v e go t b ac k t o m y r ig ht s iz e : t he n ext t hi ng i s, t o g et i nt o t ha t b ea ut if ul g ar de n ho w i s t ha t

t o be d one , I wond er ? A s s he s ai d t hi s, s he c ame s udde nl y u pon a n o pe n pl ac e, wi th a l it tl e h ous e i n i t

abo ut f ou r f eet h ig h. Wh o ever l iv es t here, t ho ug ht A li ce, it l l n ev er d o t o com e u po n t hem t hi s s ize:

w hy , I s ho ul d f ri gh ten t hem o ut o f t heir w it s! S o s he b eg an n ib bl in g at t he r ig ht -h an d b it again , and d id

n ot v en tu re t o g o ne ar t he h ous e t il l s he h ad b rou gh t h er se lf do wn t o n in e i nc he s h ig h.

Pi g and Pe ppe r

FOR a m inu te or t wo s he s too d l ook ing a t t he h ous e, a nd w ond er in g wha t t o d o ne xt , wh en s ud de nl y a

f oo tm an i n l iv er y c am e r un ni ng o ut o f t he w oo d- -( sh e c on si de re d h im t o b e a f oo tm an b ec au se h e w as i n

l iv er y: o th er wi se, j ud gi ng b y h is f ace o nl y s he w ou ld h av e cal led h im a f is h) -- an d r ap ped l ou dl y at t he

d oo r w it h h is k nu ck le s. I t w as o pe ne d b y a no th er f oo tm an i n l iv er y, w it h a r ou nd f ac e, a nd l ar ge e ye s l ik e

a f ro g; a nd b ot h f oo tm en , A li ce n ot ic ed , h ad p ow de re d h ai r t ha t c ur le d a ll o ve r t he ir h ea ds . S he f el t v er y

c ur io us t o k now wh at i t wa s a ll a bou t, a nd c re pt a l it tl e w ay o ut o f t he w ood t o l is te n.

T he F is h- Fo ot ma n b eg an b y p ro du ci ng f ro m u nd er h is a rm a g re at l et te r, n ea rl y a s l ar ge a s h im se lf , a nd

t hi s h e h an de d o ve r t o t he o th er , s ay in g, i n a s ol em n t one , Fo r t he D uc he ss . A n i nv it at io n f ro m t he

Q ueen t o p lay cro qu et . T he F ro g- Fo ot man r epeat ed, i n t he s am e s ol em n t on e, o nl y chang in g t he o rd er o f t he w or ds a l it tl e, Fr om t he Q ue en . A n i nv it at io n f or t he D uc he ss t o p la y c ro qu et .


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T hen t hey b ot h b ow ed l ow , and t heir cur ls g ot ent an gl ed t og et her.

A lic e l aughe d s o mu ch a t t hi s, t ha t s he ha d t o r un ba ck i nt o t he wood f or f ea r of th eir he ar ing he r; a nd,

w he n s he n ex t p ee pe d o ut , t he F is h- Fo ot ma n w as g on e, a nd t he o th er w as s it ti ng o n t he g ro un d n ea r t he

d oo r, s tari ng s tu pi dl y u p i nt o t he s ky .

A li ce w en t t im id ly u p t o t he d oo r, a nd k no ck ed ,

Th er e s n o s or t o f u se i n k no ck in g, s ai d t he F oo tm an , an d t ha t f or t wo r ea so ns . F ir st , b ec au se I m o n

t he s am e s id e o f t he d oo r a s y ou a re -- se co nd ly , b ec au se t he y re m ak in g s uc h a n oi se i ns id e, n o o ne

cou ld p os si bl y h ear y ou . A nd cer tain ly t here w as a m os t ext raor di nary n oi se g oi ng o n w it hi n- -a con st an t

ho wl ing a nd s ne ez ing, a nd e ve ry no w a nd t he n a gr ea t c ra sh, a s i f a di sh or ke tt le h ad be en br oke n t o

pieces.

Pl ea se , t he n, s ai d A li ce , ho w a m I t o g et i n?

Th er e m ig ht b e s om e s en se i n y ou r k no ck in g, t he F oo tm an w en t o n w it ho ut att en di ng t o h er , if w e

ha d t he doo r be twe en us . F or i ns ta nc e, i f yo u w er e i ns ide , y ou mi gh t kn oc k, a nd I c oul d l et you ou t, you

k now . H e w as l oo ki ng u p i nt o t he s ky a ll t he t im e he w as s pe ak in g, a nd t hi s A li ce t ho ug ht d ec id edl y

unc ivi l. But pe rha ps he c ant he lp i t, s he s ai d to her se lf ; hi s e ye s a re s o ve ry ne ar ly a t t he top of hi s

h ea d. B ut a t a ny r at e h e m ig ht a ns we r q ue st io ns .- -H ow a m I t o g et i n? s he r ep ea te d, a lo ud .

I s hal l s it h er e, t he F oo tm an r em ar ked, t il l t o- mo rr ow -- -

A t t hi s m om en t t he d oo r o f t he h ou se o pe ne d, a nd a l ar ge p la te c am e s ki mm in g o ut , s tr ai gh t a t t he


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F oo tm an s h ea d : i t j us t g ra ze d h is n os e, a nd b ro ke t o p ie ce s a ga in st o ne o f t he t re es b eh in d h im .

-- or n ex t d ay , m ay be , t he F oo tm an c on ti nu ed i n t he s am e t on e, e xa ct ly a s i f n ot hi ng h ad h ap pe ne d.

H ow a m I t o ge t i n? a ske d Al ic e a ga in, i n a l oud er t one .

A re y ou t o g et i n a t a ll ? s ai d t he F oo tm an Th at s t he f ir st q ue st ion , y ou k now .

I t w as , n o d ou bt : o nl y A li ce d id n ot l ik e t o b e t ol d s o. It s r ea ll y d re ad fu l, s he m ut te re d t o h er se lf , th e

w ay a ll t he c re at ur es a rg ue . I t s e no ug h t o d ri ve o ne c ra zy !

T he F oo tm an s eemed t o t hi nk t hi s a g oo d o pp or tu ni ty f or r ep eati ng h is r em ar k, w it h v ar iati on s I s hall s it

he re , he s ai d, on a nd o ff , f or da ys a nd da ys .

But w ha t a m I t o do ? s ai d Al ic e.

Anything you like, said the Footman, and began whistling.

Oh , t heres n o u se i n t al ki ng t o h im , s ai d A li ce d es perately : hes p er fect ly i di ot ic! A nd s he o pened

t he do or a nd w ent i n.

T he d oo r l ed r ig ht i nt o a l ar ge k it ch en , w hi ch w as f ul l o f s mok e f ro m o ne e nd t o t he o th er : t he D uc he ss

w as s it ti ng o n a t hr ee -l eg ge d s to ol i n t he m id dl e, n ur si ng a b ab y; t he c oo k w as l ea ni ng o ve r t he f ir e,

s ti rr in g a l ar ge c au ldr on w hi ch s ee me d t b e f ul l o f s oup .

Th er e s c er ta in ly t oo m uc h p ep pe r i n t ha t s ou p! A li ce s ai d t o h er se lf , a s w el l a s s he c ou ld f or s ne ez in g.

T h er e w as c er ta in ly t oo m uc h o f i t i n t he a ir . E ve n t he D uc he ss s ne ez ed o cc as io na ll y; a nd t he b ab y w as

s neezin g and h ow li ng alt er nately w it ho ut a m om en t s p au se. T he o nl y t hi ng s i n t he k it ch en t hat d id n ot


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s ne ez e we re th e c ook , a nd a la rg e c at whi ch wa s s it ti ng on t he he ar th a nd gr inni ng f ro m e ar t o e ar .

Pl ea se w oul d y ou t el l m e, s ai d A li ce a l it tl e t im idl y, f or s he w as n ot qu it e s ur e w he th er i t w as go od

m an ne rs f or h er t o s pe ak f ir st , why y ou r c at g ri ns l ik e t ha t?

It s a C he sh ir e c at , s ai d t he D uc he ss , an d t ha t s w hy . P ig !

S he s ai d t he l as t w or d w it h s uc h s ud de n v io le nc e t ha t A li ce q ui te j um pe d; b ut s he s aw i n a no th er

m om en t t ha t i t w as a dd re ss ed t o t he b aby , a nd n ot h er , s o s he t oo k c ou ra ge , a nd w en t on a ga in :- -

I d id n t k no w t ha t C he sh ir e c at s a lw ay s g ri nn ed ; i n f ac t, I d id n t k no w t ha t c at s c ou ld g ri n.

T he y a ll c an , s ai d t he D uc he ss ; an d m os t o f em d o.

I d on t k no w o f a ny t ha t d o, A li ce s ai d v er y p ol it el y, f ee li ng q ui te p le as ed t o h av e g ot i nt o a

conversation.

Yo u d on t k no w m uc h, s ai d t he D uc he ss ; an d t ha t s a f ac t.

Al ic e di d not a t a ll l ike t he t one of t hi s r ema rk, and t hought i t woul d be a s w el l t o int roduc e s ome othe r

s ub je ct o f c on ve rs at io n. W hi le s he w as t ry in g t o f ix o n o ne , t he c oo k t oo k t he c au ld ro n o f s ou p o ff t he

f ir e, a nd a t o nc e s et t o w or k t hr ow in g e ve ry th in g w it hi n h er r ea ch a t t he D uc he ss a nd t he b ab y - -t he

f ir e- ir on s c am e f ir st ; t he n f ol lo we d a s ho we r o f s au ce pa ns , p la te s, a nd d is he s. T he D uc he ss t oo k n o

n ot ic e of t he m e ve n w he n t he y h it h er ; a nd t he b ab y w as h ow li ng s o m uc h a lr ea dy , t ha t i t w as q ui te

i mp os si bl e t o s ay w he th er t he b lo ws h ur t i t o r n ot .

Oh , p le as e m in d w ha t y ou r e d oi ng ! c ri ed A li ce , j um pi ng u p a nd d ow n i n a n a go ny o f t er ro r Oh,

t he re g oe s h is p re ci ou s n os e! a s a n u nu su al ly l ar ge s au ce pa n f le w c lo se b y i t, a nd v er y n ea rl y c ar ri ed i toff.

If every bo dy m in ded t heir o wn b us in es s, t he D uchess s ai d i n a h oars e g ro wl , th e w or ld w ou ld g o

r ound a d ea l f as te r t ha n i t d oe s.

Wh ic h w oul d n ot b e a n a dv an ta ge , s ai d A li ce , w ho f el t v er y g la d t o g et a n op po rt un it y of s how in g of f

a l it tl e o f h er k no wl ed ge . ju st t hi nk w ha t w or k i t w ou ld m ak e w it h t he d ay a nd n ig ht ! Y ou s ee , t he e ar th

t ak es t we nt y- fo ur h ou rs t o t ur n r ou nd o n i ts a xi s- --

Talk in g o f axes, s ai d t he D uchess , ch op o ff h er h ead!

A li ce gl anc ed r at he r a nxi ous ly a t t he c ook, t o s ee i f s he m ea nt t o t ake t he hi nt ; but t he c ook wa s bus il y

e ng ag ed i n s ti rr in g t he s ou p, a nd d id n ot s ee m t o b e l is te ni ng , s o s he v en tu re d t o g o o n a ga in

Tw en ty -f ou r h ou rs , I t hi nk ; o r i s i t t welv e?

Oh , d on t b ot her m e, s ai d t he D uchess ; I n ev er cou ld abi de f ig ur es ! A nd w it h t hat s he b eg an n ur si ng

her chi ld a ga in, s inging a s ort of l ul la by t o it as she did so, a nd givi ng i t a vi ole nt s ha ke a t the e nd of eve ry

line:

Sp ea k r ou gh ly t o y ou r l it tl e b oy ,


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And b ea t h im w he n h e s ne ez es :

He only doe s it to annoy,

B ec au se h e k no ws i t t ea se s.

CH OR US ( In w hi ch t he c oo k a nd b ab y j oi ne d) :- -

W o w ! w o w ! w o w !

W hi le t he D uc he ss s an g t he s ec on d v er se o f t he s on g, s he k ep t t os si ng t he b ab y v io le nt ly u p a nd d ow n,

a nd t he p oo r l it tl e t hi ng h ow le d s o, t ha t A li ce c ou ld h ar dl y h ea r t he w or ds :- -

I speak severely to my boy,

I be at h im whe n h e s ne ez es ;

F or h e c an t ho ro ug hl y e nj oy

T he p ep pe r w he n h e p le as es !

CHORUS

W o w ! w o w ! w o w !

Her e! you ma y nur se i t a bit , i f you li ke ! t he Duc hes s sa id t o Al ice , f li ngi ng t he ba by a t he r as he

s poke . I m us t go a nd ge t r ea dy t o pl ay c roq ue t w it h t he Qu ee n, a nd s he h ur ri ed out o f h e r oo m. The

c oo k t hr ew a f ry ing- pa n a ft er he r a s s he w ent ou t, but i t j us t m is se d h er .

A li ce c au gh t t he b ab y w it h s om e d if fi cu lt y, a s i t w as a q ue er -s ha pe d l it tl e c re at ur e, a nd h el d o ut i ts a rm s

and l eg s i n all d ir ecti on s, ju st l ik e a s tarf is h, t ho ug ht A li ce. T he p oo r l it tl e t hi ng w as s no rt in g l ik e a

s team -eng in e w hen s he cau gh t i t, and k ep t d ou bl in g i ts el f u p and s tr ai gh teni ng i ts el f o ut again , s o t hata lt oge the r, f or t he f ir st mi nut e or t wo, i t wa s a s muc h a s s he c oul d do t o hol d i t.

As soon a s s he had made out the proper way of nursi ng it (whi ch was to twist it up i nto a sort of knot

a nd t he n ke ep t ight hold of it s r ight e ar a nd l eft f oot s o a s t o pr eve nt i ts undoing i ts el f), s he c ar ri ed i t out

i nt o t he o pe n a ir . If I d on t t ak e t hi s c hi ld a wa y w it h m e, t ho ug ht A li ce , th ey r e s ur e t o k il l i t i n a da y

o r t wo : w ou ld n t i t be m ur de r t o l ea ve i t b eh in d? S he s ai d t he l as t w or ds ou t l ou d, a nd t he l it tl e t hi ng

g ru nt ed i n r epl y ( it ha d l ef t o ff

Carroll, Lewis - Alice in Wonderland (Illus)

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