michael@0: Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister michael@0: on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had michael@0: peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no michael@0: pictures or conversations in it, `and what is the use of a book,' michael@0: thought Alice `without pictures or conversation?' michael@0: michael@0: So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, michael@0: for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether michael@0: the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble michael@0: of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White michael@0: Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. michael@0: michael@0: There was nothing so VERY remarkable in that; nor did Alice michael@0: think it so VERY much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to michael@0: itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought michael@0: it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have michael@0: wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); michael@0: but when the Rabbit actually TOOK A WATCH OUT OF ITS WAISTCOAT- michael@0: POCKET, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to michael@0: her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never michael@0: before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to michael@0: take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the michael@0: field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop michael@0: down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge. michael@0: michael@0: In another moment down went Alice after it, never once michael@0: considering how in the world she was to get out again. michael@0: michael@0: The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, michael@0: and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a michael@0: moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself michael@0: falling down a very deep well. michael@0: michael@0: Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she michael@0: had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to michael@0: wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look michael@0: down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to michael@0: see anything; then she looked at the sides of the well, and michael@0: noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves; michael@0: here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs. She michael@0: took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was michael@0: labelled `ORANGE MARMALADE', but to her great disappointment it michael@0: was empty: she did not like to drop the jar for fear of killing michael@0: somebody, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she michael@0: fell past it. michael@0: michael@0: `Well!' thought Alice to herself, `after such a fall as this, I michael@0: shall think nothing of tumbling down stairs! How brave they'll michael@0: all think me at home! Why, I wouldn't say anything about it, michael@0: even if I fell off the top of the house!' (Which was very likely michael@0: true.) michael@0: michael@0: Down, down, down. Would the fall NEVER come to an end! `I michael@0: wonder how many miles I've fallen by this time?' she said aloud. michael@0: `I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth. Let michael@0: me see: that would be four thousand miles down, I think--' (for, michael@0: you see, Alice had learnt several things of this sort in her michael@0: lessons in the schoolroom, and though this was not a VERY good michael@0: opportunity for showing off her knowledge, as there was no one to michael@0: listen to her, still it was good practice to say it over) `--yes, michael@0: that's about the right distance--but then I wonder what Latitude michael@0: or Longitude I've got to?' (Alice had no idea what Latitude was, michael@0: or Longitude either, but thought they were nice grand words to michael@0: say.) michael@0: michael@0: Presently she began again. `I wonder if I shall fall right michael@0: THROUGH the earth! How funny it'll seem to come out among the michael@0: people that walk with their heads downward! The Antipathies, I michael@0: think--' (she was rather glad there WAS no one listening, this michael@0: time, as it didn't sound at all the right word) `--but I shall michael@0: have to ask them what the name of the country is, you know. michael@0: Please, Ma'am, is this New Zealand or Australia?' (and she tried michael@0: to curtsey as she spoke--fancy CURTSEYING as you're falling michael@0: through the air! Do you think you could manage it?) `And what michael@0: an ignorant little girl she'll think me for asking! No, it'll michael@0: never do to ask: perhaps I shall see it written up somewhere.' michael@0: michael@0: Down, down, down. There was nothing else to do, so Alice soon michael@0: began talking again. `Dinah'll miss me very much to-night, I michael@0: should think!' (Dinah was the cat.) `I hope they'll remember michael@0: her saucer of milk at tea-time. Dinah my dear! I wish you were michael@0: down here with me! There are no mice in the air, I'm afraid, but michael@0: you might catch a bat, and that's very like a mouse, you know. michael@0: But do cats eat bats, I wonder?' And here Alice began to get michael@0: rather sleepy, and went on saying to herself, in a dreamy sort of michael@0: way, `Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?' and sometimes, `Do michael@0: bats eat cats?' for, you see, as she couldn't answer either michael@0: question, it didn't much matter which way she put it. She felt michael@0: that she was dozing off, and had just begun to dream that she michael@0: was walking hand in hand with Dinah, and saying to her very michael@0: earnestly, `Now, Dinah, tell me the truth: did you ever eat a michael@0: bat?' when suddenly, thump! thump! down she came upon a heap of michael@0: sticks and dry leaves, and the fall was over. michael@0: michael@0: Alice was not a bit hurt, and she jumped up on to her feet in a michael@0: moment: she looked up, but it was all dark overhead; before her michael@0: was another long passage, and the White Rabbit was still in michael@0: sight, hurrying down it. There was not a moment to be lost: michael@0: away went Alice like the wind, and was just in time to hear it michael@0: say, as it turned a corner, `Oh my ears and whiskers, how late michael@0: it's getting!' She was close behind it when she turned the michael@0: corner, but the Rabbit was no longer to be seen: she found michael@0: herself in a long, low hall, which was lit up by a row of lamps michael@0: hanging from the roof. michael@0: michael@0: There were doors all round the hall, but they were all locked; michael@0: and when Alice had been all the way down one side and up the michael@0: other, trying every door, she walked sadly down the middle, michael@0: wondering how she was ever to get out again. michael@0: michael@0: Suddenly she came upon a little three-legged table, all made of michael@0: solid glass; there was nothing on it except a tiny golden key, michael@0: and Alice's first thought was that it might belong to one of the michael@0: doors of the hall; but, alas! either the locks were too large, or michael@0: the key was too small, but at any rate it would not open any of michael@0: them. However, on the second time round, she came upon a low michael@0: curtain she had not noticed before, and behind it was a little michael@0: door about fifteen inches high: she tried the little golden key michael@0: in the lock, and to her great delight it fitted! michael@0: michael@0: Alice opened the door and found that it led into a small michael@0: passage, not much larger than a rat-hole: she knelt down and michael@0: looked along the passage into the loveliest garden you ever saw. michael@0: How she longed to get out of that dark hall, and wander about michael@0: among those beds of bright flowers and those cool fountains, but michael@0: she could not even get her head though the doorway; `and even if michael@0: my head would go through,' thought poor Alice, `it would be of michael@0: very little use without my shoulders. Oh, how I wish michael@0: I could shut up like a telescope! I think I could, if I only michael@0: know how to begin.' For, you see, so many out-of-the-way things michael@0: had happened lately, that Alice had begun to think that very few michael@0: things indeed were really impossible. michael@0: michael@0: There seemed to be no use in waiting by the little door, so she michael@0: went back to the table, half hoping she might find another key on michael@0: it, or at any rate a book of rules for shutting people up like michael@0: telescopes: this time she found a little bottle on it, (`which michael@0: certainly was not here before,' said Alice,) and round the neck michael@0: of the bottle was a paper label, with the words `DRINK ME' michael@0: beautifully printed on it in large letters. michael@0: michael@0: It was all very well to say `Drink me,' but the wise little michael@0: Alice was not going to do THAT in a hurry. `No, I'll look michael@0: first,' she said, `and see whether it's marked "poison" or not'; michael@0: for she had read several nice little histories about children who michael@0: had got burnt, and eaten up by wild beasts and other unpleasant michael@0: things, all because they WOULD not remember the simple rules michael@0: their friends had taught them: such as, that a red-hot poker michael@0: will burn you if you hold it too long; and that if you cut your michael@0: finger VERY deeply with a knife, it usually bleeds; and she had michael@0: never forgotten that, if you drink much from a bottle marked michael@0: `poison,' it is almost certain to disagree with you, sooner or michael@0: later. michael@0: michael@0: However, this bottle was NOT marked `poison,' so Alice ventured michael@0: to taste it, and finding it very nice, (it had, in fact, a sort michael@0: of mixed flavour of cherry-tart, custard, pine-apple, roast michael@0: turkey, toffee, and hot buttered toast,) she very soon finished michael@0: it off. michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: `What a curious feeling!' said Alice; `I must be shutting up michael@0: like a telescope.' michael@0: michael@0: And so it was indeed: she was now only ten inches high, and michael@0: her face brightened up at the thought that she was now the right michael@0: size for going through the little door into that lovely garden. michael@0: First, however, she waited for a few minutes to see if she was michael@0: going to shrink any further: she felt a little nervous about michael@0: this; `for it might end, you know,' said Alice to herself, `in my michael@0: going out altogether, like a candle. I wonder what I should be michael@0: like then?' And she tried to fancy what the flame of a candle is michael@0: like after the candle is blown out, for she could not remember michael@0: ever having seen such a thing. michael@0: michael@0: After a while, finding that nothing more happened, she decided michael@0: on going into the garden at once; but, alas for poor Alice! michael@0: when she got to the door, she found she had forgotten the michael@0: little golden key, and when she went back to the table for it, michael@0: she found she could not possibly reach it: she could see it michael@0: quite plainly through the glass, and she tried her best to climb michael@0: up one of the legs of the table, but it was too slippery; michael@0: and when she had tired herself out with trying, michael@0: the poor little thing sat down and cried. michael@0: michael@0: `Come, there's no use in crying like that!' said Alice to michael@0: herself, rather sharply; `I advise you to leave off this minute!' michael@0: She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very michael@0: seldom followed it), and sometimes she scolded herself so michael@0: severely as to bring tears into her eyes; and once she remembered michael@0: trying to box her own ears for having cheated herself in a game michael@0: of croquet she was playing against herself, for this curious michael@0: child was very fond of pretending to be two people. `But it's no michael@0: use now,' thought poor Alice, `to pretend to be two people! Why, michael@0: there's hardly enough of me left to make ONE respectable michael@0: person!' michael@0: michael@0: Soon her eye fell on a little glass box that was lying under michael@0: the table: she opened it, and found in it a very small cake, on michael@0: which the words `EAT ME' were beautifully marked in currants. michael@0: `Well, I'll eat it,' said Alice, `and if it makes me grow larger, michael@0: I can reach the key; and if it makes me grow smaller, I can creep michael@0: under the door; so either way I'll get into the garden, and I michael@0: don't care which happens!' michael@0: michael@0: She ate a little bit, and said anxiously to herself, `Which michael@0: way? Which way?', holding her hand on the top of her head to michael@0: feel which way it was growing, and she was quite surprised to michael@0: find that she remained the same size: to be sure, this generally michael@0: happens when one eats cake, but Alice had got so much into the michael@0: way of expecting nothing but out-of-the-way things to happen, michael@0: that it seemed quite dull and stupid for life to go on in the michael@0: common way. michael@0: michael@0: So she set to work, and very soon finished off the cake. michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: CHAPTER II michael@0: michael@0: The Pool of Tears michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: `Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice (she was so much michael@0: surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good michael@0: English); `now I'm opening out like the largest telescope that michael@0: ever was! Good-bye, feet!' (for when she looked down at her michael@0: feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so michael@0: far off). `Oh, my poor little feet, I wonder who will put on michael@0: your shoes and stockings for you now, dears? I'm sure _I_ shan't michael@0: be able! I shall be a great deal too far off to trouble myself michael@0: about you: you must manage the best way you can; --but I must be michael@0: kind to them,' thought Alice, `or perhaps they won't walk the michael@0: way I want to go! Let me see: I'll give them a new pair of michael@0: boots every Christmas.' michael@0: michael@0: And she went on planning to herself how she would manage it. michael@0: `They must go by the carrier,' she thought; `and how funny it'll michael@0: seem, sending presents to one's own feet! And how odd the michael@0: directions will look! michael@0: michael@0: ALICE'S RIGHT FOOT, ESQ. michael@0: HEARTHRUG, michael@0: NEAR THE FENDER, michael@0: (WITH ALICE'S LOVE). michael@0: michael@0: Oh dear, what nonsense I'm talking!' michael@0: michael@0: Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in michael@0: fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took michael@0: up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door. michael@0: michael@0: Poor Alice! It was as much as she could do, lying down on one michael@0: side, to look through into the garden with one eye; but to get michael@0: through was more hopeless than ever: she sat down and began to michael@0: cry again. michael@0: michael@0: `You ought to be ashamed of yourself,' said Alice, `a great michael@0: girl like you,' (she might well say this), `to go on crying in michael@0: this way! Stop this moment, I tell you!' But she went on all michael@0: the same, shedding gallons of tears, until there was a large pool michael@0: all round her, about four inches deep and reaching half down the michael@0: hall. michael@0: michael@0: After a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the michael@0: distance, and she hastily dried her eyes to see what was coming. michael@0: It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with a michael@0: pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the michael@0: other: he came trotting along in a great hurry, muttering to michael@0: himself as he came, `Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess! Oh! won't she michael@0: be savage if I've kept her waiting!' Alice felt so desperate michael@0: that she was ready to ask help of any one; so, when the Rabbit michael@0: came near her, she began, in a low, timid voice, `If you please, michael@0: sir--' The Rabbit started violently, dropped the white kid michael@0: gloves and the fan, and skurried away into the darkness as hard michael@0: as he could go. michael@0: michael@0: Alice took up the fan and gloves, and, as the hall was very michael@0: hot, she kept fanning herself all the time she went on talking: michael@0: `Dear, dear! How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday michael@0: things went on just as usual. I wonder if I've been changed in michael@0: the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this michael@0: morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little michael@0: different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is, Who in michael@0: the world am I? Ah, THAT'S the great puzzle!' And she began michael@0: thinking over all the children she knew that were of the same age michael@0: as herself, to see if she could have been changed for any of michael@0: them. michael@0: michael@0: `I'm sure I'm not Ada,' she said, `for her hair goes in such michael@0: long ringlets, and mine doesn't go in ringlets at all; and I'm michael@0: sure I can't be Mabel, for I know all sorts of things, and she, michael@0: oh! she knows such a very little! Besides, SHE'S she, and I'm I, michael@0: and--oh dear, how puzzling it all is! I'll try if I know all the michael@0: things I used to know. Let me see: four times five is twelve, michael@0: and four times six is thirteen, and four times seven is--oh dear! michael@0: I shall never get to twenty at that rate! However, the michael@0: Multiplication Table doesn't signify: let's try Geography. michael@0: London is the capital of Paris, and Paris is the capital of Rome, michael@0: and Rome--no, THAT'S all wrong, I'm certain! I must have been michael@0: changed for Mabel! I'll try and say "How doth the little--"' michael@0: and she crossed her hands on her lap as if she were saying lessons, michael@0: and began to repeat it, but her voice sounded hoarse and michael@0: strange, and the words did not come the same as they used to do:-- michael@0: michael@0: `How doth the little crocodile michael@0: Improve his shining tail, michael@0: And pour the waters of the Nile michael@0: On every golden scale! michael@0: michael@0: `How cheerfully he seems to grin, michael@0: How neatly spread his claws, michael@0: And welcome little fishes in michael@0: With gently smiling jaws!' michael@0: michael@0: `I'm sure those are not the right words,' said poor Alice, and michael@0: her eyes filled with tears again as she went on, `I must be Mabel michael@0: after all, and I shall have to go and live in that poky little michael@0: house, and have next to no toys to play with, and oh! ever so michael@0: many lessons to learn! No, I've made up my mind about it; if I'm michael@0: Mabel, I'll stay down here! It'll be no use their putting their michael@0: heads down and saying "Come up again, dear!" I shall only look michael@0: up and say "Who am I then? Tell me that first, and then, if I michael@0: like being that person, I'll come up: if not, I'll stay down michael@0: here till I'm somebody else"--but, oh dear!' cried Alice, with a michael@0: sudden burst of tears, `I do wish they WOULD put their heads michael@0: down! I am so VERY tired of being all alone here!' michael@0: michael@0: As she said this she looked down at her hands, and was michael@0: surprised to see that she had put on one of the Rabbit's little michael@0: white kid gloves while she was talking. `How CAN I have done michael@0: that?' she thought. `I must be growing small again.' She got up michael@0: and went to the table to measure herself by it, and found that, michael@0: as nearly as she could guess, she was now about two feet high, michael@0: and was going on shrinking rapidly: she soon found out that the michael@0: cause of this was the fan she was holding, and she dropped it michael@0: hastily, just in time to avoid shrinking away altogether. michael@0: michael@0: `That WAS a narrow escape!' said Alice, a good deal frightened at michael@0: the sudden change, but very glad to find herself still in michael@0: existence; `and now for the garden!' and she ran with all speed michael@0: back to the little door: but, alas! the little door was shut michael@0: again, and the little golden key was lying on the glass table as michael@0: before, `and things are worse than ever,' thought the poor child, michael@0: `for I never was so small as this before, never! And I declare michael@0: it's too bad, that it is!' michael@0: michael@0: As she said these words her foot slipped, and in another michael@0: moment, splash! she was up to her chin in salt water. Her first michael@0: idea was that she had somehow fallen into the sea, `and in that michael@0: case I can go back by railway,' she said to herself. (Alice had michael@0: been to the seaside once in her life, and had come to the general michael@0: conclusion, that wherever you go to on the English coast you find michael@0: a number of bathing machines in the sea, some children digging in michael@0: the sand with wooden spades, then a row of lodging houses, and michael@0: behind them a railway station.) However, she soon made out that michael@0: she was in the pool of tears which she had wept when she was nine michael@0: feet high. michael@0: michael@0: `I wish I hadn't cried so much!' said Alice, as she swam about, michael@0: trying to find her way out. `I shall be punished for it now, I michael@0: suppose, by being drowned in my own tears! That WILL be a queer michael@0: thing, to be sure! However, everything is queer to-day.' michael@0: michael@0: Just then she heard something splashing about in the pool a michael@0: little way off, and she swam nearer to make out what it was: at michael@0: first she thought it must be a walrus or hippopotamus, but then michael@0: she remembered how small she was now, and she soon made out that michael@0: it was only a mouse that had slipped in like herself. michael@0: michael@0: `Would it be of any use, now,' thought Alice, `to speak to this michael@0: mouse? Everything is so out-of-the-way down here, that I should michael@0: think very likely it can talk: at any rate, there's no harm in michael@0: trying.' So she began: `O Mouse, do you know the way out of michael@0: this pool? I am very tired of swimming about here, O Mouse!' michael@0: (Alice thought this must be the right way of speaking to a mouse: michael@0: she had never done such a thing before, but she remembered having michael@0: seen in her brother's Latin Grammar, `A mouse--of a mouse--to a michael@0: mouse--a mouse--O mouse!' The Mouse looked at her rather michael@0: inquisitively, and seemed to her to wink with one of its little michael@0: eyes, but it said nothing. michael@0: michael@0: `Perhaps it doesn't understand English,' thought Alice; `I michael@0: daresay it's a French mouse, come over with William the michael@0: Conqueror.' (For, with all her knowledge of history, Alice had michael@0: no very clear notion how long ago anything had happened.) So she michael@0: began again: `Ou est ma chatte?' which was the first sentence in michael@0: her French lesson-book. The Mouse gave a sudden leap out of the michael@0: water, and seemed to quiver all over with fright. `Oh, I beg michael@0: your pardon!' cried Alice hastily, afraid that she had hurt the michael@0: poor animal's feelings. `I quite forgot you didn't like cats.' michael@0: michael@0: `Not like cats!' cried the Mouse, in a shrill, passionate michael@0: voice. `Would YOU like cats if you were me?' michael@0: michael@0: `Well, perhaps not,' said Alice in a soothing tone: `don't be michael@0: angry about it. And yet I wish I could show you our cat Dinah: michael@0: I think you'd take a fancy to cats if you could only see her. michael@0: She is such a dear quiet thing,' Alice went on, half to herself, michael@0: as she swam lazily about in the pool, `and she sits purring so michael@0: nicely by the fire, licking her paws and washing her face--and michael@0: she is such a nice soft thing to nurse--and she's such a capital michael@0: one for catching mice--oh, I beg your pardon!' cried Alice again, michael@0: for this time the Mouse was bristling all over, and she felt michael@0: certain it must be really offended. `We won't talk about her any michael@0: more if you'd rather not.' michael@0: michael@0: `We indeed!' cried the Mouse, who was trembling down to the end michael@0: of his tail. `As if I would talk on such a subject! Our family michael@0: always HATED cats: nasty, low, vulgar things! Don't let me hear michael@0: the name again!' michael@0: michael@0: `I won't indeed!' said Alice, in a great hurry to change the michael@0: subject of conversation. `Are you--are you fond--of--of dogs?' michael@0: The Mouse did not answer, so Alice went on eagerly: `There is michael@0: such a nice little dog near our house I should like to show you! michael@0: A little bright-eyed terrier, you know, with oh, such long curly michael@0: brown hair! And it'll fetch things when you throw them, and michael@0: it'll sit up and beg for its dinner, and all sorts of things--I michael@0: can't remember half of them--and it belongs to a farmer, you michael@0: know, and he says it's so useful, it's worth a hundred pounds! michael@0: He says it kills all the rats and--oh dear!' cried Alice in a michael@0: sorrowful tone, `I'm afraid I've offended it again!' For the michael@0: Mouse was swimming away from her as hard as it could go, and michael@0: making quite a commotion in the pool as it went. michael@0: michael@0: So she called softly after it, `Mouse dear! Do come back michael@0: again, and we won't talk about cats or dogs either, if you don't michael@0: like them!' When the Mouse heard this, it turned round and swam michael@0: slowly back to her: its face was quite pale (with passion, Alice michael@0: thought), and it said in a low trembling voice, `Let us get to michael@0: the shore, and then I'll tell you my history, and you'll michael@0: understand why it is I hate cats and dogs.' michael@0: michael@0: It was high time to go, for the pool was getting quite crowded michael@0: with the birds and animals that had fallen into it: there were a michael@0: Duck and a Dodo, a Lory and an Eaglet, and several other curious michael@0: creatures. Alice led the way, and the whole party swam to the michael@0: shore. michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: CHAPTER III michael@0: michael@0: A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: They were indeed a queer-looking party that assembled on the michael@0: bank--the birds with draggled feathers, the animals with their michael@0: fur clinging close to them, and all dripping wet, cross, and michael@0: uncomfortable. michael@0: michael@0: The first question of course was, how to get dry again: they michael@0: had a consultation about this, and after a few minutes it seemed michael@0: quite natural to Alice to find herself talking familiarly with michael@0: them, as if she had known them all her life. Indeed, she had michael@0: quite a long argument with the Lory, who at last turned sulky, michael@0: and would only say, `I am older than you, and must know better'; michael@0: and this Alice would not allow without knowing how old it was, michael@0: and, as the Lory positively refused to tell its age, there was no michael@0: more to be said. michael@0: michael@0: At last the Mouse, who seemed to be a person of authority among michael@0: them, called out, `Sit down, all of you, and listen to me! I'LL michael@0: soon make you dry enough!' They all sat down at once, in a large michael@0: ring, with the Mouse in the middle. Alice kept her eyes michael@0: anxiously fixed on it, for she felt sure she would catch a bad michael@0: cold if she did not get dry very soon. michael@0: michael@0: `Ahem!' said the Mouse with an important air, `are you all ready? michael@0: This is the driest thing I know. Silence all round, if you please! michael@0: "William the Conqueror, whose cause was favoured by the pope, was michael@0: soon submitted to by the English, who wanted leaders, and had been michael@0: of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest. Edwin and michael@0: Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria--"' michael@0: michael@0: `Ugh!' said the Lory, with a shiver. michael@0: michael@0: `I beg your pardon!' said the Mouse, frowning, but very michael@0: politely: `Did you speak?' michael@0: michael@0: `Not I!' said the Lory hastily. michael@0: michael@0: `I thought you did,' said the Mouse. `--I proceed. "Edwin and michael@0: Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria, declared for him: michael@0: and even Stigand, the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury, found michael@0: it advisable--"' michael@0: michael@0: `Found WHAT?' said the Duck. michael@0: michael@0: `Found IT,' the Mouse replied rather crossly: `of course you michael@0: know what "it" means.' michael@0: michael@0: `I know what "it" means well enough, when I find a thing,' said michael@0: the Duck: `it's generally a frog or a worm. The question is, michael@0: what did the archbishop find?' michael@0: michael@0: The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, michael@0: `"--found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William michael@0: and offer him the crown. William's conduct at first was michael@0: moderate. But the insolence of his Normans--" How are you michael@0: getting on now, my dear?' it continued, turning to Alice as it michael@0: spoke. michael@0: michael@0: `As wet as ever,' said Alice in a melancholy tone: `it doesn't michael@0: seem to dry me at all.' michael@0: michael@0: `In that case,' said the Dodo solemnly, rising to its feet, `I michael@0: move that the meeting adjourn, for the immediate adoption of more michael@0: energetic remedies--' michael@0: michael@0: `Speak English!' said the Eaglet. `I don't know the meaning of michael@0: half those long words, and, what's more, I don't believe you do michael@0: either!' And the Eaglet bent down its head to hide a smile: michael@0: some of the other birds tittered audibly. michael@0: michael@0: `What I was going to say,' said the Dodo in an offended tone, michael@0: `was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.' michael@0: michael@0: `What IS a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much michael@0: to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that SOMEBODY michael@0: ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything. michael@0: michael@0: `Why,' said the Dodo, `the best way to explain it is to do it.' michael@0: (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter michael@0: day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.) michael@0: michael@0: First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the michael@0: exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party michael@0: were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, michael@0: two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, michael@0: and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know michael@0: when the race was over. However, when they had been running half michael@0: an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called michael@0: out `The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, michael@0: and asking, `But who has won?' michael@0: michael@0: This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of michael@0: thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon michael@0: its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, michael@0: in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence. At michael@0: last the Dodo said, `EVERYBODY has won, and all must have michael@0: prizes.' michael@0: michael@0: `But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices michael@0: asked. michael@0: michael@0: `Why, SHE, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with michael@0: one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, michael@0: calling out in a confused way, `Prizes! Prizes!' michael@0: michael@0: Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand michael@0: in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt michael@0: water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes. michael@0: There was exactly one a-piece all round. michael@0: michael@0: `But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse. michael@0: michael@0: `Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely. `What else have michael@0: you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice. michael@0: michael@0: `Only a thimble,' said Alice sadly. michael@0: michael@0: `Hand it over here,' said the Dodo. michael@0: michael@0: Then they all crowded round her once more, while the Dodo michael@0: solemnly presented the thimble, saying `We beg your acceptance of michael@0: this elegant thimble'; and, when it had finished this short michael@0: speech, they all cheered. michael@0: michael@0: Alice thought the whole thing very absurd, but they all looked michael@0: so grave that she did not dare to laugh; and, as she could not michael@0: think of anything to say, she simply bowed, and took the thimble, michael@0: looking as solemn as she could. michael@0: michael@0: The next thing was to eat the comfits: this caused some noise michael@0: and confusion, as the large birds complained that they could not michael@0: taste theirs, and the small ones choked and had to be patted on michael@0: the back. However, it was over at last, and they sat down again michael@0: in a ring, and begged the Mouse to tell them something more. michael@0: michael@0: `You promised to tell me your history, you know,' said Alice, michael@0: `and why it is you hate--C and D,' she added in a whisper, half michael@0: afraid that it would be offended again. michael@0: michael@0: `Mine is a long and a sad tale!' said the Mouse, turning to michael@0: Alice, and sighing. michael@0: michael@0: `It IS a long tail, certainly,' said Alice, looking down with michael@0: wonder at the Mouse's tail; `but why do you call it sad?' And michael@0: she kept on puzzling about it while the Mouse was speaking, so michael@0: that her idea of the tale was something like this:-- michael@0: michael@0: `Fury said to a michael@0: mouse, That he michael@0: met in the michael@0: house, michael@0: "Let us michael@0: both go to michael@0: law: I will michael@0: prosecute michael@0: YOU. --Come, michael@0: I'll take no michael@0: denial; We michael@0: must have a michael@0: trial: For michael@0: really this michael@0: morning I've michael@0: nothing michael@0: to do." michael@0: Said the michael@0: mouse to the michael@0: cur, "Such michael@0: a trial, michael@0: dear Sir, michael@0: With michael@0: no jury michael@0: or judge, michael@0: would be michael@0: wasting michael@0: our michael@0: breath." michael@0: "I'll be michael@0: judge, I'll michael@0: be jury," michael@0: Said michael@0: cunning michael@0: old Fury: michael@0: "I'll michael@0: try the michael@0: whole michael@0: cause, michael@0: and michael@0: condemn michael@0: you michael@0: to michael@0: death."' michael@0: michael@0: Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister michael@0: on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had michael@0: peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no michael@0: pictures or conversations in it, `and what is the use of a book,' michael@0: thought Alice `without pictures or conversation?' michael@0: michael@0: So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, michael@0: for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether michael@0: the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble michael@0: of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White michael@0: Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. michael@0: michael@0: There was nothing so VERY remarkable in that; nor did Alice michael@0: think it so VERY much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to michael@0: itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought michael@0: it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have michael@0: wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); michael@0: but when the Rabbit actually TOOK A WATCH OUT OF ITS WAISTCOAT- michael@0: POCKET, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to michael@0: her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never michael@0: before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to michael@0: take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the michael@0: field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop michael@0: down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge. michael@0: michael@0: In another moment down went Alice after it, never once michael@0: considering how in the world she was to get out again. michael@0: michael@0: The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, michael@0: and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a michael@0: moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself michael@0: falling down a very deep well. michael@0: michael@0: Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she michael@0: had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to michael@0: wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look michael@0: down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to michael@0: see anything; then she looked at the sides of the well, and michael@0: noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves; michael@0: here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs. She michael@0: took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was michael@0: labelled `ORANGE MARMALADE', but to her great disappointment it michael@0: was empty: she did not like to drop the jar for fear of killing michael@0: somebody, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she michael@0: fell past it. michael@0: michael@0: `Well!' thought Alice to herself, `after such a fall as this, I michael@0: shall think nothing of tumbling down stairs! How brave they'll michael@0: all think me at home! Why, I wouldn't say anything about it, michael@0: even if I fell off the top of the house!' (Which was very likely michael@0: true.) michael@0: michael@0: Down, down, down. Would the fall NEVER come to an end! `I michael@0: wonder how many miles I've fallen by this time?' she said aloud. michael@0: `I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth. Let michael@0: me see: that would be four thousand miles down, I think--' (for, michael@0: you see, Alice had learnt several things of this sort in her michael@0: lessons in the schoolroom, and though this was not a VERY good michael@0: opportunity for showing off her knowledge, as there was no one to michael@0: listen to her, still it was good practice to say it over) `--yes, michael@0: that's about the right distance--but then I wonder what Latitude michael@0: or Longitude I've got to?' (Alice had no idea what Latitude was, michael@0: or Longitude either, but thought they were nice grand words to michael@0: say.) michael@0: michael@0: Presently she began again. `I wonder if I shall fall right michael@0: THROUGH the earth! How funny it'll seem to come out among the michael@0: people that walk with their heads downward! The Antipathies, I michael@0: think--' (she was rather glad there WAS no one listening, this michael@0: time, as it didn't sound at all the right word) `--but I shall michael@0: have to ask them what the name of the country is, you know. michael@0: Please, Ma'am, is this New Zealand or Australia?' (and she tried michael@0: to curtsey as she spoke--fancy CURTSEYING as you're falling michael@0: through the air! Do you think you could manage it?) `And what michael@0: an ignorant little girl she'll think me for asking! No, it'll michael@0: never do to ask: perhaps I shall see it written up somewhere.' michael@0: michael@0: Down, down, down. There was nothing else to do, so Alice soon michael@0: began talking again. `Dinah'll miss me very much to-night, I michael@0: should think!' (Dinah was the cat.) `I hope they'll remember michael@0: her saucer of milk at tea-time. Dinah my dear! I wish you were michael@0: down here with me! There are no mice in the air, I'm afraid, but michael@0: you might catch a bat, and that's very like a mouse, you know. michael@0: But do cats eat bats, I wonder?' And here Alice began to get michael@0: rather sleepy, and went on saying to herself, in a dreamy sort of michael@0: way, `Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?' and sometimes, `Do michael@0: bats eat cats?' for, you see, as she couldn't answer either michael@0: question, it didn't much matter which way she put it. She felt michael@0: that she was dozing off, and had just begun to dream that she michael@0: was walking hand in hand with Dinah, and saying to her very michael@0: earnestly, `Now, Dinah, tell me the truth: did you ever eat a michael@0: bat?' when suddenly, thump! thump! down she came upon a heap of michael@0: sticks and dry leaves, and the fall was over. michael@0: michael@0: Alice was not a bit hurt, and she jumped up on to her feet in a michael@0: moment: she looked up, but it was all dark overhead; before her michael@0: was another long passage, and the White Rabbit was still in michael@0: sight, hurrying down it. There was not a moment to be lost: michael@0: away went Alice like the wind, and was just in time to hear it michael@0: say, as it turned a corner, `Oh my ears and whiskers, how late michael@0: it's getting!' She was close behind it when she turned the michael@0: corner, but the Rabbit was no longer to be seen: she found michael@0: herself in a long, low hall, which was lit up by a row of lamps michael@0: hanging from the roof. michael@0: michael@0: There were doors all round the hall, but they were all locked; michael@0: and when Alice had been all the way down one side and up the michael@0: other, trying every door, she walked sadly down the middle, michael@0: wondering how she was ever to get out again. michael@0: michael@0: Suddenly she came upon a little three-legged table, all made of michael@0: solid glass; there was nothing on it except a tiny golden key, michael@0: and Alice's first thought was that it might belong to one of the michael@0: doors of the hall; but, alas! either the locks were too large, or michael@0: the key was too small, but at any rate it would not open any of michael@0: them. However, on the second time round, she came upon a low michael@0: curtain she had not noticed before, and behind it was a little michael@0: door about fifteen inches high: she tried the little golden key michael@0: in the lock, and to her great delight it fitted! michael@0: michael@0: Alice opened the door and found that it led into a small michael@0: passage, not much larger than a rat-hole: she knelt down and michael@0: looked along the passage into the loveliest garden you ever saw. michael@0: How she longed to get out of that dark hall, and wander about michael@0: among those beds of bright flowers and those cool fountains, but michael@0: she could not even get her head though the doorway; `and even if michael@0: my head would go through,' thought poor Alice, `it would be of michael@0: very little use without my shoulders. Oh, how I wish michael@0: I could shut up like a telescope! I think I could, if I only michael@0: know how to begin.' For, you see, so many out-of-the-way things michael@0: had happened lately, that Alice had begun to think that very few michael@0: things indeed were really impossible. michael@0: michael@0: There seemed to be no use in waiting by the little door, so she michael@0: went back to the table, half hoping she might find another key on michael@0: it, or at any rate a book of rules for shutting people up like michael@0: telescopes: this time she found a little bottle on it, (`which michael@0: certainly was not here before,' said Alice,) and round the neck michael@0: of the bottle was a paper label, with the words `DRINK ME' michael@0: beautifully printed on it in large letters. michael@0: michael@0: It was all very well to say `Drink me,' but the wise little michael@0: Alice was not going to do THAT in a hurry. `No, I'll look michael@0: first,' she said, `and see whether it's marked "poison" or not'; michael@0: for she had read several nice little histories about children who michael@0: had got burnt, and eaten up by wild beasts and other unpleasant michael@0: things, all because they WOULD not remember the simple rules michael@0: their friends had taught them: such as, that a red-hot poker michael@0: will burn you if you hold it too long; and that if you cut your michael@0: finger VERY deeply with a knife, it usually bleeds; and she had michael@0: never forgotten that, if you drink much from a bottle marked michael@0: `poison,' it is almost certain to disagree with you, sooner or michael@0: later. michael@0: michael@0: However, this bottle was NOT marked `poison,' so Alice ventured michael@0: to taste it, and finding it very nice, (it had, in fact, a sort michael@0: of mixed flavour of cherry-tart, custard, pine-apple, roast michael@0: turkey, toffee, and hot buttered toast,) she very soon finished michael@0: it off. michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: `What a curious feeling!' said Alice; `I must be shutting up michael@0: like a telescope.' michael@0: michael@0: And so it was indeed: she was now only ten inches high, and michael@0: her face brightened up at the thought that she was now the right michael@0: size for going through the little door into that lovely garden. michael@0: First, however, she waited for a few minutes to see if she was michael@0: going to shrink any further: she felt a little nervous about michael@0: this; `for it might end, you know,' said Alice to herself, `in my michael@0: going out altogether, like a candle. I wonder what I should be michael@0: like then?' And she tried to fancy what the flame of a candle is michael@0: like after the candle is blown out, for she could not remember michael@0: ever having seen such a thing. michael@0: michael@0: After a while, finding that nothing more happened, she decided michael@0: on going into the garden at once; but, alas for poor Alice! michael@0: when she got to the door, she found she had forgotten the michael@0: little golden key, and when she went back to the table for it, michael@0: she found she could not possibly reach it: she could see it michael@0: quite plainly through the glass, and she tried her best to climb michael@0: up one of the legs of the table, but it was too slippery; michael@0: and when she had tired herself out with trying, michael@0: the poor little thing sat down and cried. michael@0: michael@0: `Come, there's no use in crying like that!' said Alice to michael@0: herself, rather sharply; `I advise you to leave off this minute!' michael@0: She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very michael@0: seldom followed it), and sometimes she scolded herself so michael@0: severely as to bring tears into her eyes; and once she remembered michael@0: trying to box her own ears for having cheated herself in a game michael@0: of croquet she was playing against herself, for this curious michael@0: child was very fond of pretending to be two people. `But it's no michael@0: use now,' thought poor Alice, `to pretend to be two people! Why, michael@0: there's hardly enough of me left to make ONE respectable michael@0: person!' michael@0: michael@0: Soon her eye fell on a little glass box that was lying under michael@0: the table: she opened it, and found in it a very small cake, on michael@0: which the words `EAT ME' were beautifully marked in currants. michael@0: `Well, I'll eat it,' said Alice, `and if it makes me grow larger, michael@0: I can reach the key; and if it makes me grow smaller, I can creep michael@0: under the door; so either way I'll get into the garden, and I michael@0: don't care which happens!' michael@0: michael@0: She ate a little bit, and said anxiously to herself, `Which michael@0: way? Which way?', holding her hand on the top of her head to michael@0: feel which way it was growing, and she was quite surprised to michael@0: find that she remained the same size: to be sure, this generally michael@0: happens when one eats cake, but Alice had got so much into the michael@0: way of expecting nothing but out-of-the-way things to happen, michael@0: that it seemed quite dull and stupid for life to go on in the michael@0: common way. michael@0: michael@0: So she set to work, and very soon finished off the cake. michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: CHAPTER II michael@0: michael@0: The Pool of Tears michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: `Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice (she was so much michael@0: surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good michael@0: English); `now I'm opening out like the largest telescope that michael@0: ever was! Good-bye, feet!' (for when she looked down at her michael@0: feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so michael@0: far off). `Oh, my poor little feet, I wonder who will put on michael@0: your shoes and stockings for you now, dears? I'm sure _I_ shan't michael@0: be able! I shall be a great deal too far off to trouble myself michael@0: about you: you must manage the best way you can; --but I must be michael@0: kind to them,' thought Alice, `or perhaps they won't walk the michael@0: way I want to go! Let me see: I'll give them a new pair of michael@0: boots every Christmas.' michael@0: michael@0: And she went on planning to herself how she would manage it. michael@0: `They must go by the carrier,' she thought; `and how funny it'll michael@0: seem, sending presents to one's own feet! And how odd the michael@0: directions will look! michael@0: michael@0: ALICE'S RIGHT FOOT, ESQ. michael@0: HEARTHRUG, michael@0: NEAR THE FENDER, michael@0: (WITH ALICE'S LOVE). michael@0: michael@0: Oh dear, what nonsense I'm talking!' michael@0: michael@0: Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in michael@0: fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took michael@0: up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door. michael@0: michael@0: Poor Alice! It was as much as she could do, lying down on one michael@0: side, to look through into the garden with one eye; but to get michael@0: through was more hopeless than ever: she sat down and began to michael@0: cry again. michael@0: michael@0: `You ought to be ashamed of yourself,' said Alice, `a great michael@0: girl like you,' (she might well say this), `to go on crying in michael@0: this way! Stop this moment, I tell you!' But she went on all michael@0: the same, shedding gallons of tears, until there was a large pool michael@0: all round her, about four inches deep and reaching half down the michael@0: hall. michael@0: michael@0: After a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the michael@0: distance, and she hastily dried her eyes to see what was coming. michael@0: It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with a michael@0: pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the michael@0: other: he came trotting along in a great hurry, muttering to michael@0: himself as he came, `Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess! Oh! won't she michael@0: be savage if I've kept her waiting!' Alice felt so desperate michael@0: that she was ready to ask help of any one; so, when the Rabbit michael@0: came near her, she began, in a low, timid voice, `If you please, michael@0: sir--' The Rabbit started violently, dropped the white kid michael@0: gloves and the fan, and skurried away into the darkness as hard michael@0: as he could go. michael@0: michael@0: Alice took up the fan and gloves, and, as the hall was very michael@0: hot, she kept fanning herself all the time she went on talking: michael@0: `Dear, dear! How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday michael@0: things went on just as usual. I wonder if I've been changed in michael@0: the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this michael@0: morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little michael@0: different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is, Who in michael@0: the world am I? Ah, THAT'S the great puzzle!' And she began michael@0: thinking over all the children she knew that were of the same age michael@0: as herself, to see if she could have been changed for any of michael@0: them. michael@0: michael@0: `I'm sure I'm not Ada,' she said, `for her hair goes in such michael@0: long ringlets, and mine doesn't go in ringlets at all; and I'm michael@0: sure I can't be Mabel, for I know all sorts of things, and she, michael@0: oh! she knows such a very little! Besides, SHE'S she, and I'm I, michael@0: and--oh dear, how puzzling it all is! I'll try if I know all the michael@0: things I used to know. Let me see: four times five is twelve, michael@0: and four times six is thirteen, and four times seven is--oh dear! michael@0: I shall never get to twenty at that rate! However, the michael@0: Multiplication Table doesn't signify: let's try Geography. michael@0: London is the capital of Paris, and Paris is the capital of Rome, michael@0: and Rome--no, THAT'S all wrong, I'm certain! I must have been michael@0: changed for Mabel! I'll try and say "How doth the little--"' michael@0: and she crossed her hands on her lap as if she were saying lessons, michael@0: and began to repeat it, but her voice sounded hoarse and michael@0: strange, and the words did not come the same as they used to do:-- michael@0: michael@0: `How doth the little crocodile michael@0: Improve his shining tail, michael@0: And pour the waters of the Nile michael@0: On every golden scale! michael@0: michael@0: `How cheerfully he seems to grin, michael@0: How neatly spread his claws, michael@0: And welcome little fishes in michael@0: With gently smiling jaws!' michael@0: michael@0: `I'm sure those are not the right words,' said poor Alice, and michael@0: her eyes filled with tears again as she went on, `I must be Mabel michael@0: after all, and I shall have to go and live in that poky little michael@0: house, and have next to no toys to play with, and oh! ever so michael@0: many lessons to learn! No, I've made up my mind about it; if I'm michael@0: Mabel, I'll stay down here! It'll be no use their putting their michael@0: heads down and saying "Come up again, dear!" I shall only look michael@0: up and say "Who am I then? Tell me that first, and then, if I michael@0: like being that person, I'll come up: if not, I'll stay down michael@0: here till I'm somebody else"--but, oh dear!' cried Alice, with a michael@0: sudden burst of tears, `I do wish they WOULD put their heads michael@0: down! I am so VERY tired of being all alone here!' michael@0: michael@0: As she said this she looked down at her hands, and was michael@0: surprised to see that she had put on one of the Rabbit's little michael@0: white kid gloves while she was talking. `How CAN I have done michael@0: that?' she thought. `I must be growing small again.' She got up michael@0: and went to the table to measure herself by it, and found that, michael@0: as nearly as she could guess, she was now about two feet high, michael@0: and was going on shrinking rapidly: she soon found out that the michael@0: cause of this was the fan she was holding, and she dropped it michael@0: hastily, just in time to avoid shrinking away altogether. michael@0: michael@0: `That WAS a narrow escape!' said Alice, a good deal frightened at michael@0: the sudden change, but very glad to find herself still in michael@0: existence; `and now for the garden!' and she ran with all speed michael@0: back to the little door: but, alas! the little door was shut michael@0: again, and the little golden key was lying on the glass table as michael@0: before, `and things are worse than ever,' thought the poor child, michael@0: `for I never was so small as this before, never! And I declare michael@0: it's too bad, that it is!' michael@0: michael@0: As she said these words her foot slipped, and in another michael@0: moment, splash! she was up to her chin in salt water. Her first michael@0: idea was that she had somehow fallen into the sea, `and in that michael@0: case I can go back by railway,' she said to herself. (Alice had michael@0: been to the seaside once in her life, and had come to the general michael@0: conclusion, that wherever you go to on the English coast you find michael@0: a number of bathing machines in the sea, some children digging in michael@0: the sand with wooden spades, then a row of lodging houses, and michael@0: behind them a railway station.) However, she soon made out that michael@0: she was in the pool of tears which she had wept when she was nine michael@0: feet high. michael@0: michael@0: `I wish I hadn't cried so much!' said Alice, as she swam about, michael@0: trying to find her way out. `I shall be punished for it now, I michael@0: suppose, by being drowned in my own tears! That WILL be a queer michael@0: thing, to be sure! However, everything is queer to-day.' michael@0: michael@0: Just then she heard something splashing about in the pool a michael@0: little way off, and she swam nearer to make out what it was: at michael@0: first she thought it must be a walrus or hippopotamus, but then michael@0: she remembered how small she was now, and she soon made out that michael@0: it was only a mouse that had slipped in like herself. michael@0: michael@0: `Would it be of any use, now,' thought Alice, `to speak to this michael@0: mouse? Everything is so out-of-the-way down here, that I should michael@0: think very likely it can talk: at any rate, there's no harm in michael@0: trying.' So she began: `O Mouse, do you know the way out of michael@0: this pool? I am very tired of swimming about here, O Mouse!' michael@0: (Alice thought this must be the right way of speaking to a mouse: michael@0: she had never done such a thing before, but she remembered having michael@0: seen in her brother's Latin Grammar, `A mouse--of a mouse--to a michael@0: mouse--a mouse--O mouse!' The Mouse looked at her rather michael@0: inquisitively, and seemed to her to wink with one of its little michael@0: eyes, but it said nothing. michael@0: michael@0: `Perhaps it doesn't understand English,' thought Alice; `I michael@0: daresay it's a French mouse, come over with William the michael@0: Conqueror.' (For, with all her knowledge of history, Alice had michael@0: no very clear notion how long ago anything had happened.) So she michael@0: began again: `Ou est ma chatte?' which was the first sentence in michael@0: her French lesson-book. The Mouse gave a sudden leap out of the michael@0: water, and seemed to quiver all over with fright. `Oh, I beg michael@0: your pardon!' cried Alice hastily, afraid that she had hurt the michael@0: poor animal's feelings. `I quite forgot you didn't like cats.' michael@0: michael@0: `Not like cats!' cried the Mouse, in a shrill, passionate michael@0: voice. `Would YOU like cats if you were me?' michael@0: michael@0: `Well, perhaps not,' said Alice in a soothing tone: `don't be michael@0: angry about it. And yet I wish I could show you our cat Dinah: michael@0: I think you'd take a fancy to cats if you could only see her. michael@0: She is such a dear quiet thing,' Alice went on, half to herself, michael@0: as she swam lazily about in the pool, `and she sits purring so michael@0: nicely by the fire, licking her paws and washing her face--and michael@0: she is such a nice soft thing to nurse--and she's such a capital michael@0: one for catching mice--oh, I beg your pardon!' cried Alice again, michael@0: for this time the Mouse was bristling all over, and she felt michael@0: certain it must be really offended. `We won't talk about her any michael@0: more if you'd rather not.' michael@0: michael@0: `We indeed!' cried the Mouse, who was trembling down to the end michael@0: of his tail. `As if I would talk on such a subject! Our family michael@0: always HATED cats: nasty, low, vulgar things! Don't let me hear michael@0: the name again!' michael@0: michael@0: `I won't indeed!' said Alice, in a great hurry to change the michael@0: subject of conversation. `Are you--are you fond--of--of dogs?' michael@0: The Mouse did not answer, so Alice went on eagerly: `There is michael@0: such a nice little dog near our house I should like to show you! michael@0: A little bright-eyed terrier, you know, with oh, such long curly michael@0: brown hair! And it'll fetch things when you throw them, and michael@0: it'll sit up and beg for its dinner, and all sorts of things--I michael@0: can't remember half of them--and it belongs to a farmer, you michael@0: know, and he says it's so useful, it's worth a hundred pounds! michael@0: He says it kills all the rats and--oh dear!' cried Alice in a michael@0: sorrowful tone, `I'm afraid I've offended it again!' For the michael@0: Mouse was swimming away from her as hard as it could go, and michael@0: making quite a commotion in the pool as it went. michael@0: michael@0: So she called softly after it, `Mouse dear! Do come back michael@0: again, and we won't talk about cats or dogs either, if you don't michael@0: like them!' When the Mouse heard this, it turned round and swam michael@0: slowly back to her: its face was quite pale (with passion, Alice michael@0: thought), and it said in a low trembling voice, `Let us get to michael@0: the shore, and then I'll tell you my history, and you'll michael@0: understand why it is I hate cats and dogs.' michael@0: michael@0: It was high time to go, for the pool was getting quite crowded michael@0: with the birds and animals that had fallen into it: there were a michael@0: Duck and a Dodo, a Lory and an Eaglet, and several other curious michael@0: creatures. Alice led the way, and the whole party swam to the michael@0: shore. michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: CHAPTER III michael@0: michael@0: A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: They were indeed a queer-looking party that assembled on the michael@0: bank--the birds with draggled feathers, the animals with their michael@0: fur clinging close to them, and all dripping wet, cross, and michael@0: uncomfortable. michael@0: michael@0: The first question of course was, how to get dry again: they michael@0: had a consultation about this, and after a few minutes it seemed michael@0: quite natural to Alice to find herself talking familiarly with michael@0: them, as if she had known them all her life. Indeed, she had michael@0: quite a long argument with the Lory, who at last turned sulky, michael@0: and would only say, `I am older than you, and must know better'; michael@0: and this Alice would not allow without knowing how old it was, michael@0: and, as the Lory positively refused to tell its age, there was no michael@0: more to be said. michael@0: michael@0: At last the Mouse, who seemed to be a person of authority among michael@0: them, called out, `Sit down, all of you, and listen to me! I'LL michael@0: soon make you dry enough!' They all sat down at once, in a large michael@0: ring, with the Mouse in the middle. Alice kept her eyes michael@0: anxiously fixed on it, for she felt sure she would catch a bad michael@0: cold if she did not get dry very soon. michael@0: michael@0: `Ahem!' said the Mouse with an important air, `are you all ready? michael@0: This is the driest thing I know. Silence all round, if you please! michael@0: "William the Conqueror, whose cause was favoured by the pope, was michael@0: soon submitted to by the English, who wanted leaders, and had been michael@0: of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest. Edwin and michael@0: Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria--"' michael@0: michael@0: `Ugh!' said the Lory, with a shiver. michael@0: michael@0: `I beg your pardon!' said the Mouse, frowning, but very michael@0: politely: `Did you speak?' michael@0: michael@0: `Not I!' said the Lory hastily. michael@0: michael@0: `I thought you did,' said the Mouse. `--I proceed. "Edwin and michael@0: Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria, declared for him: michael@0: and even Stigand, the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury, found michael@0: it advisable--"' michael@0: michael@0: `Found WHAT?' said the Duck. michael@0: michael@0: `Found IT,' the Mouse replied rather crossly: `of course you michael@0: know what "it" means.' michael@0: michael@0: `I know what "it" means well enough, when I find a thing,' said michael@0: the Duck: `it's generally a frog or a worm. The question is, michael@0: what did the archbishop find?' michael@0: michael@0: The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, michael@0: `"--found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William michael@0: and offer him the crown. William's conduct at first was michael@0: moderate. But the insolence of his Normans--" How are you michael@0: getting on now, my dear?' it continued, turning to Alice as it michael@0: spoke. michael@0: michael@0: `As wet as ever,' said Alice in a melancholy tone: `it doesn't michael@0: seem to dry me at all.' michael@0: michael@0: `In that case,' said the Dodo solemnly, rising to its feet, `I michael@0: move that the meeting adjourn, for the immediate adoption of more michael@0: energetic remedies--' michael@0: michael@0: `Speak English!' said the Eaglet. `I don't know the meaning of michael@0: half those long words, and, what's more, I don't believe you do michael@0: either!' And the Eaglet bent down its head to hide a smile: michael@0: some of the other birds tittered audibly. michael@0: michael@0: `What I was going to say,' said the Dodo in an offended tone, michael@0: `was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.' michael@0: michael@0: `What IS a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much michael@0: to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that SOMEBODY michael@0: ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything. michael@0: michael@0: `Why,' said the Dodo, `the best way to explain it is to do it.' michael@0: (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter michael@0: day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.) michael@0: michael@0: First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the michael@0: exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party michael@0: were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, michael@0: two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, michael@0: and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know michael@0: when the race was over. However, when they had been running half michael@0: an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called michael@0: out `The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, michael@0: and asking, `But who has won?' michael@0: michael@0: This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of michael@0: thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon michael@0: its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, michael@0: in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence. At michael@0: last the Dodo said, `EVERYBODY has won, and all must have michael@0: prizes.' michael@0: michael@0: `But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices michael@0: asked. michael@0: michael@0: `Why, SHE, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with michael@0: one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, michael@0: calling out in a confused way, `Prizes! Prizes!' michael@0: michael@0: Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand michael@0: in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt michael@0: water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes. michael@0: There was exactly one a-piece all round. michael@0: michael@0: `But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse. michael@0: michael@0: `Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely. `What else have michael@0: you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice. michael@0: michael@0: `Only a thimble,' said Alice sadly. michael@0: michael@0: `Hand it over here,' said the Dodo. michael@0: michael@0: Then they all crowded round her once more, while the Dodo michael@0: solemnly presented the thimble, saying `We beg your acceptance of michael@0: this elegant thimble'; and, when it had finished this short michael@0: speech, they all cheered. michael@0: michael@0: Alice thought the whole thing very absurd, but they all looked michael@0: so grave that she did not dare to laugh; and, as she could not michael@0: think of anything to say, she simply bowed, and took the thimble, michael@0: looking as solemn as she could. michael@0: michael@0: The next thing was to eat the comfits: this caused some noise michael@0: and confusion, as the large birds complained that they could not michael@0: taste theirs, and the small ones choked and had to be patted on michael@0: the back. However, it was over at last, and they sat down again michael@0: in a ring, and begged the Mouse to tell them something more. michael@0: michael@0: `You promised to tell me your history, you know,' said Alice, michael@0: `and why it is you hate--C and D,' she added in a whisper, half michael@0: afraid that it would be offended again. michael@0: michael@0: `Mine is a long and a sad tale!' said the Mouse, turning to michael@0: Alice, and sighing. michael@0: michael@0: `It IS a long tail, certainly,' said Alice, looking down with michael@0: wonder at the Mouse's tail; `but why do you call it sad?' And michael@0: she kept on puzzling about it while the Mouse was speaking, so michael@0: that her idea of the tale was something like this:-- michael@0: michael@0: `Fury said to a michael@0: mouse, That he michael@0: met in the michael@0: house, michael@0: "Let us michael@0: both go to michael@0: law: I will michael@0: prosecute michael@0: YOU. --Come, michael@0: I'll take no michael@0: denial; We michael@0: must have a michael@0: trial: For michael@0: really this michael@0: morning I've michael@0: nothing michael@0: to do." michael@0: Said the michael@0: mouse to the michael@0: cur, "Such michael@0: a trial, michael@0: dear Sir, michael@0: With michael@0: no jury michael@0: or judge, michael@0: would be michael@0: wasting michael@0: our michael@0: breath." michael@0: "I'll be michael@0: judge, I'll michael@0: be jury," michael@0: Said michael@0: cunning michael@0: old Fury: michael@0: "I'll michael@0: try the michael@0: whole michael@0: cause, michael@0: and michael@0: condemn michael@0: you michael@0: to michael@0: death."' michael@0: michael@0: Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister michael@0: on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had michael@0: peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no michael@0: pictures or conversations in it, `and what is the use of a book,' michael@0: thought Alice `without pictures or conversation?' michael@0: michael@0: So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, michael@0: for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether michael@0: the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble michael@0: of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White michael@0: Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. michael@0: michael@0: There was nothing so VERY remarkable in that; nor did Alice michael@0: think it so VERY much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to michael@0: itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought michael@0: it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have michael@0: wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); michael@0: but when the Rabbit actually TOOK A WATCH OUT OF ITS WAISTCOAT- michael@0: POCKET, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to michael@0: her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never michael@0: before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to michael@0: take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the michael@0: field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop michael@0: down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge. michael@0: michael@0: In another moment down went Alice after it, never once michael@0: considering how in the world she was to get out again. michael@0: michael@0: The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, michael@0: and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a michael@0: moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself michael@0: falling down a very deep well. michael@0: michael@0: Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she michael@0: had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to michael@0: wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look michael@0: down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to michael@0: see anything; then she looked at the sides of the well, and michael@0: noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves; michael@0: here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs. She michael@0: took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was michael@0: labelled `ORANGE MARMALADE', but to her great disappointment it michael@0: was empty: she did not like to drop the jar for fear of killing michael@0: somebody, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she michael@0: fell past it. michael@0: michael@0: `Well!' thought Alice to herself, `after such a fall as this, I michael@0: shall think nothing of tumbling down stairs! How brave they'll michael@0: all think me at home! Why, I wouldn't say anything about it, michael@0: even if I fell off the top of the house!' (Which was very likely michael@0: true.) michael@0: michael@0: Down, down, down. Would the fall NEVER come to an end! `I michael@0: wonder how many miles I've fallen by this time?' she said aloud. michael@0: `I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth. Let michael@0: me see: that would be four thousand miles down, I think--' (for, michael@0: you see, Alice had learnt several things of this sort in her michael@0: lessons in the schoolroom, and though this was not a VERY good michael@0: opportunity for showing off her knowledge, as there was no one to michael@0: listen to her, still it was good practice to say it over) `--yes, michael@0: that's about the right distance--but then I wonder what Latitude michael@0: or Longitude I've got to?' (Alice had no idea what Latitude was, michael@0: or Longitude either, but thought they were nice grand words to michael@0: say.) michael@0: michael@0: Presently she began again. `I wonder if I shall fall right michael@0: THROUGH the earth! How funny it'll seem to come out among the michael@0: people that walk with their heads downward! The Antipathies, I michael@0: think--' (she was rather glad there WAS no one listening, this michael@0: time, as it didn't sound at all the right word) `--but I shall michael@0: have to ask them what the name of the country is, you know. michael@0: Please, Ma'am, is this New Zealand or Australia?' (and she tried michael@0: to curtsey as she spoke--fancy CURTSEYING as you're falling michael@0: through the air! Do you think you could manage it?) `And what michael@0: an ignorant little girl she'll think me for asking! No, it'll michael@0: never do to ask: perhaps I shall see it written up somewhere.' michael@0: michael@0: Down, down, down. There was nothing else to do, so Alice soon michael@0: began talking again. `Dinah'll miss me very much to-night, I michael@0: should think!' (Dinah was the cat.) `I hope they'll remember michael@0: her saucer of milk at tea-time. Dinah my dear! I wish you were michael@0: down here with me! There are no mice in the air, I'm afraid, but michael@0: you might catch a bat, and that's very like a mouse, you know. michael@0: But do cats eat bats, I wonder?' And here Alice began to get michael@0: rather sleepy, and went on saying to herself, in a dreamy sort of michael@0: way, `Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?' and sometimes, `Do michael@0: bats eat cats?' for, you see, as she couldn't answer either michael@0: question, it didn't much matter which way she put it. She felt michael@0: that she was dozing off, and had just begun to dream that she michael@0: was walking hand in hand with Dinah, and saying to her very michael@0: earnestly, `Now, Dinah, tell me the truth: did you ever eat a michael@0: bat?' when suddenly, thump! thump! down she came upon a heap of michael@0: sticks and dry leaves, and the fall was over. michael@0: michael@0: Alice was not a bit hurt, and she jumped up on to her feet in a michael@0: moment: she looked up, but it was all dark overhead; before her michael@0: was another long passage, and the White Rabbit was still in michael@0: sight, hurrying down it. There was not a moment to be lost: michael@0: away went Alice like the wind, and was just in time to hear it michael@0: say, as it turned a corner, `Oh my ears and whiskers, how late michael@0: it's getting!' She was close behind it when she turned the michael@0: corner, but the Rabbit was no longer to be seen: she found michael@0: herself in a long, low hall, which was lit up by a row of lamps michael@0: hanging from the roof. michael@0: michael@0: There were doors all round the hall, but they were all locked; michael@0: and when Alice had been all the way down one side and up the michael@0: other, trying every door, she walked sadly down the middle, michael@0: wondering how she was ever to get out again. michael@0: michael@0: Suddenly she came upon a little three-legged table, all made of michael@0: solid glass; there was nothing on it except a tiny golden key, michael@0: and Alice's first thought was that it might belong to one of the michael@0: doors of the hall; but, alas! either the locks were too large, or michael@0: the key was too small, but at any rate it would not open any of michael@0: them. However, on the second time round, she came upon a low michael@0: curtain she had not noticed before, and behind it was a little michael@0: door about fifteen inches high: she tried the little golden key michael@0: in the lock, and to her great delight it fitted! michael@0: michael@0: Alice opened the door and found that it led into a small michael@0: passage, not much larger than a rat-hole: she knelt down and michael@0: looked along the passage into the loveliest garden you ever saw. michael@0: How she longed to get out of that dark hall, and wander about michael@0: among those beds of bright flowers and those cool fountains, but michael@0: she could not even get her head though the doorway; `and even if michael@0: my head would go through,' thought poor Alice, `it would be of michael@0: very little use without my shoulders. Oh, how I wish michael@0: I could shut up like a telescope! I think I could, if I only michael@0: know how to begin.' For, you see, so many out-of-the-way things michael@0: had happened lately, that Alice had begun to think that very few michael@0: things indeed were really impossible. michael@0: michael@0: There seemed to be no use in waiting by the little door, so she michael@0: went back to the table, half hoping she might find another key on michael@0: it, or at any rate a book of rules for shutting people up like michael@0: telescopes: this time she found a little bottle on it, (`which michael@0: certainly was not here before,' said Alice,) and round the neck michael@0: of the bottle was a paper label, with the words `DRINK ME' michael@0: beautifully printed on it in large letters. michael@0: michael@0: It was all very well to say `Drink me,' but the wise little michael@0: Alice was not going to do THAT in a hurry. `No, I'll look michael@0: first,' she said, `and see whether it's marked "poison" or not'; michael@0: for she had read several nice little histories about children who michael@0: had got burnt, and eaten up by wild beasts and other unpleasant michael@0: things, all because they WOULD not remember the simple rules michael@0: their friends had taught them: such as, that a red-hot poker michael@0: will burn you if you hold it too long; and that if you cut your michael@0: finger VERY deeply with a knife, it usually bleeds; and she had michael@0: never forgotten that, if you drink much from a bottle marked michael@0: `poison,' it is almost certain to disagree with you, sooner or michael@0: later. michael@0: michael@0: However, this bottle was NOT marked `poison,' so Alice ventured michael@0: to taste it, and finding it very nice, (it had, in fact, a sort michael@0: of mixed flavour of cherry-tart, custard, pine-apple, roast michael@0: turkey, toffee, and hot buttered toast,) she very soon finished michael@0: it off. michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: `What a curious feeling!' said Alice; `I must be shutting up michael@0: like a telescope.' michael@0: michael@0: And so it was indeed: she was now only ten inches high, and michael@0: her face brightened up at the thought that she was now the right michael@0: size for going through the little door into that lovely garden. michael@0: First, however, she waited for a few minutes to see if she was michael@0: going to shrink any further: she felt a little nervous about michael@0: this; `for it might end, you know,' said Alice to herself, `in my michael@0: going out altogether, like a candle. I wonder what I should be michael@0: like then?' And she tried to fancy what the flame of a candle is michael@0: like after the candle is blown out, for she could not remember michael@0: ever having seen such a thing. michael@0: michael@0: After a while, finding that nothing more happened, she decided michael@0: on going into the garden at once; but, alas for poor Alice! michael@0: when she got to the door, she found she had forgotten the michael@0: little golden key, and when she went back to the table for it, michael@0: she found she could not possibly reach it: she could see it michael@0: quite plainly through the glass, and she tried her best to climb michael@0: up one of the legs of the table, but it was too slippery; michael@0: and when she had tired herself out with trying, michael@0: the poor little thing sat down and cried. michael@0: michael@0: `Come, there's no use in crying like that!' said Alice to michael@0: herself, rather sharply; `I advise you to leave off this minute!' michael@0: She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very michael@0: seldom followed it), and sometimes she scolded herself so michael@0: severely as to bring tears into her eyes; and once she remembered michael@0: trying to box her own ears for having cheated herself in a game michael@0: of croquet she was playing against herself, for this curious michael@0: child was very fond of pretending to be two people. `But it's no michael@0: use now,' thought poor Alice, `to pretend to be two people! Why, michael@0: there's hardly enough of me left to make ONE respectable michael@0: person!' michael@0: michael@0: Soon her eye fell on a little glass box that was lying under michael@0: the table: she opened it, and found in it a very small cake, on michael@0: which the words `EAT ME' were beautifully marked in currants. michael@0: `Well, I'll eat it,' said Alice, `and if it makes me grow larger, michael@0: I can reach the key; and if it makes me grow smaller, I can creep michael@0: under the door; so either way I'll get into the garden, and I michael@0: don't care which happens!' michael@0: michael@0: She ate a little bit, and said anxiously to herself, `Which michael@0: way? Which way?', holding her hand on the top of her head to michael@0: feel which way it was growing, and she was quite surprised to michael@0: find that she remained the same size: to be sure, this generally michael@0: happens when one eats cake, but Alice had got so much into the michael@0: way of expecting nothing but out-of-the-way things to happen, michael@0: that it seemed quite dull and stupid for life to go on in the michael@0: common way. michael@0: michael@0: So she set to work, and very soon finished off the cake. michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: * * * * * * * michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: CHAPTER II michael@0: michael@0: The Pool of Tears michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: `Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice (she was so much michael@0: surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good michael@0: English); `now I'm opening out like the largest telescope that michael@0: ever was! Good-bye, feet!' (for when she looked down at her michael@0: feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so michael@0: far off). `Oh, my poor little feet, I wonder who will put on michael@0: your shoes and stockings for you now, dears? I'm sure _I_ shan't michael@0: be able! I shall be a great deal too far off to trouble myself michael@0: about you: you must manage the best way you can; --but I must be michael@0: kind to them,' thought Alice, `or perhaps they won't walk the michael@0: way I want to go! Let me see: I'll give them a new pair of michael@0: boots every Christmas.' michael@0: michael@0: And she went on planning to herself how she would manage it. michael@0: `They must go by the carrier,' she thought; `and how funny it'll michael@0: seem, sending presents to one's own feet! And how odd the michael@0: directions will look! michael@0: michael@0: ALICE'S RIGHT FOOT, ESQ. michael@0: HEARTHRUG, michael@0: NEAR THE FENDER, michael@0: (WITH ALICE'S LOVE). michael@0: michael@0: Oh dear, what nonsense I'm talking!' michael@0: michael@0: Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in michael@0: fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took michael@0: up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door. michael@0: michael@0: Poor Alice! It was as much as she could do, lying down on one michael@0: side, to look through into the garden with one eye; but to get michael@0: through was more hopeless than ever: she sat down and began to michael@0: cry again. michael@0: michael@0: `You ought to be ashamed of yourself,' said Alice, `a great michael@0: girl like you,' (she might well say this), `to go on crying in michael@0: this way! Stop this moment, I tell you!' But she went on all michael@0: the same, shedding gallons of tears, until there was a large pool michael@0: all round her, about four inches deep and reaching half down the michael@0: hall. michael@0: michael@0: After a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the michael@0: distance, and she hastily dried her eyes to see what was coming. michael@0: It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with a michael@0: pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the michael@0: other: he came trotting along in a great hurry, muttering to michael@0: himself as he came, `Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess! Oh! won't she michael@0: be savage if I've kept her waiting!' Alice felt so desperate michael@0: that she was ready to ask help of any one; so, when the Rabbit michael@0: came near her, she began, in a low, timid voice, `If you please, michael@0: sir--' The Rabbit started violently, dropped the white kid michael@0: gloves and the fan, and skurried away into the darkness as hard michael@0: as he could go. michael@0: michael@0: Alice took up the fan and gloves, and, as the hall was very michael@0: hot, she kept fanning herself all the time she went on talking: michael@0: `Dear, dear! How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday michael@0: things went on just as usual. I wonder if I've been changed in michael@0: the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this michael@0: morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little michael@0: different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is, Who in michael@0: the world am I? Ah, THAT'S the great puzzle!' And she began michael@0: thinking over all the children she knew that were of the same age michael@0: as herself, to see if she could have been changed for any of michael@0: them. michael@0: michael@0: `I'm sure I'm not Ada,' she said, `for her hair goes in such michael@0: long ringlets, and mine doesn't go in ringlets at all; and I'm michael@0: sure I can't be Mabel, for I know all sorts of things, and she, michael@0: oh! she knows such a very little! Besides, SHE'S she, and I'm I, michael@0: and--oh dear, how puzzling it all is! I'll try if I know all the michael@0: things I used to know. Let me see: four times five is twelve, michael@0: and four times six is thirteen, and four times seven is--oh dear! michael@0: I shall never get to twenty at that rate! However, the michael@0: Multiplication Table doesn't signify: let's try Geography. michael@0: London is the capital of Paris, and Paris is the capital of Rome, michael@0: and Rome--no, THAT'S all wrong, I'm certain! I must have been michael@0: changed for Mabel! I'll try and say "How doth the little--"' michael@0: and she crossed her hands on her lap as if she were saying lessons, michael@0: and began to repeat it, but her voice sounded hoarse and michael@0: strange, and the words did not come the same as they used to do:-- michael@0: michael@0: `How doth the little crocodile michael@0: Improve his shining tail, michael@0: And pour the waters of the Nile michael@0: On every golden scale! michael@0: michael@0: `How cheerfully he seems to grin, michael@0: How neatly spread his claws, michael@0: And welcome little fishes in michael@0: With gently smiling jaws!' michael@0: michael@0: `I'm sure those are not the right words,' said poor Alice, and michael@0: her eyes filled with tears again as she went on, `I must be Mabel michael@0: after all, and I shall have to go and live in that poky little michael@0: house, and have next to no toys to play with, and oh! ever so michael@0: many lessons to learn! No, I've made up my mind about it; if I'm michael@0: Mabel, I'll stay down here! It'll be no use their putting their michael@0: heads down and saying "Come up again, dear!" I shall only look michael@0: up and say "Who am I then? Tell me that first, and then, if I michael@0: like being that person, I'll come up: if not, I'll stay down michael@0: here till I'm somebody else"--but, oh dear!' cried Alice, with a michael@0: sudden burst of tears, `I do wish they WOULD put their heads michael@0: down! I am so VERY tired of being all alone here!' michael@0: michael@0: As she said this she looked down at her hands, and was michael@0: surprised to see that she had put on one of the Rabbit's little michael@0: white kid gloves while she was talking. `How CAN I have done michael@0: that?' she thought. `I must be growing small again.' She got up michael@0: and went to the table to measure herself by it, and found that, michael@0: as nearly as she could guess, she was now about two feet high, michael@0: and was going on shrinking rapidly: she soon found out that the michael@0: cause of this was the fan she was holding, and she dropped it michael@0: hastily, just in time to avoid shrinking away altogether. michael@0: michael@0: `That WAS a narrow escape!' said Alice, a good deal frightened at michael@0: the sudden change, but very glad to find herself still in michael@0: existence; `and now for the garden!' and she ran with all speed michael@0: back to the little door: but, alas! the little door was shut michael@0: again, and the little golden key was lying on the glass table as michael@0: before, `and things are worse than ever,' thought the poor child, michael@0: `for I never was so small as this before, never! And I declare michael@0: it's too bad, that it is!' michael@0: michael@0: As she said these words her foot slipped, and in another michael@0: moment, splash! she was up to her chin in salt water. Her first michael@0: idea was that she had somehow fallen into the sea, `and in that michael@0: case I can go back by railway,' she said to herself. (Alice had michael@0: been to the seaside once in her life, and had come to the general michael@0: conclusion, that wherever you go to on the English coast you find michael@0: a number of bathing machines in the sea, some children digging in michael@0: the sand with wooden spades, then a row of lodging houses, and michael@0: behind them a railway station.) However, she soon made out that michael@0: she was in the pool of tears which she had wept when she was nine michael@0: feet high. michael@0: michael@0: `I wish I hadn't cried so much!' said Alice, as she swam about, michael@0: trying to find her way out. `I shall be punished for it now, I michael@0: suppose, by being drowned in my own tears! That WILL be a queer michael@0: thing, to be sure! However, everything is queer to-day.' michael@0: michael@0: Just then she heard something splashing about in the pool a michael@0: little way off, and she swam nearer to make out what it was: at michael@0: first she thought it must be a walrus or hippopotamus, but then michael@0: she remembered how small she was now, and she soon made out that michael@0: it was only a mouse that had slipped in like herself. michael@0: michael@0: `Would it be of any use, now,' thought Alice, `to speak to this michael@0: mouse? Everything is so out-of-the-way down here, that I should michael@0: think very likely it can talk: at any rate, there's no harm in michael@0: trying.' So she began: `O Mouse, do you know the way out of michael@0: this pool? I am very tired of swimming about here, O Mouse!' michael@0: (Alice thought this must be the right way of speaking to a mouse: michael@0: she had never done such a thing before, but she remembered having michael@0: seen in her brother's Latin Grammar, `A mouse--of a mouse--to a michael@0: mouse--a mouse--O mouse!' The Mouse looked at her rather michael@0: inquisitively, and seemed to her to wink with one of its little michael@0: eyes, but it said nothing. michael@0: michael@0: `Perhaps it doesn't understand English,' thought Alice; `I michael@0: daresay it's a French mouse, come over with William the michael@0: Conqueror.' (For, with all her knowledge of history, Alice had michael@0: no very clear notion how long ago anything had happened.) So she michael@0: began again: `Ou est ma chatte?' which was the first sentence in michael@0: her French lesson-book. The Mouse gave a sudden leap out of the michael@0: water, and seemed to quiver all over with fright. `Oh, I beg michael@0: your pardon!' cried Alice hastily, afraid that she had hurt the michael@0: poor animal's feelings. `I quite forgot you didn't like cats.' michael@0: michael@0: `Not like cats!' cried the Mouse, in a shrill, passionate michael@0: voice. `Would YOU like cats if you were me?' michael@0: michael@0: `Well, perhaps not,' said Alice in a soothing tone: `don't be michael@0: angry about it. And yet I wish I could show you our cat Dinah: michael@0: I think you'd take a fancy to cats if you could only see her. michael@0: She is such a dear quiet thing,' Alice went on, half to herself, michael@0: as she swam lazily about in the pool, `and she sits purring so michael@0: nicely by the fire, licking her paws and washing her face--and michael@0: she is such a nice soft thing to nurse--and she's such a capital michael@0: one for catching mice--oh, I beg your pardon!' cried Alice again, michael@0: for this time the Mouse was bristling all over, and she felt michael@0: certain it must be really offended. `We won't talk about her any michael@0: more if you'd rather not.' michael@0: michael@0: `We indeed!' cried the Mouse, who was trembling down to the end michael@0: of his tail. `As if I would talk on such a subject! Our family michael@0: always HATED cats: nasty, low, vulgar things! Don't let me hear michael@0: the name again!' michael@0: michael@0: `I won't indeed!' said Alice, in a great hurry to change the michael@0: subject of conversation. `Are you--are you fond--of--of dogs?' michael@0: The Mouse did not answer, so Alice went on eagerly: `There is michael@0: such a nice little dog near our house I should like to show you! michael@0: A little bright-eyed terrier, you know, with oh, such long curly michael@0: brown hair! And it'll fetch things when you throw them, and michael@0: it'll sit up and beg for its dinner, and all sorts of things--I michael@0: can't remember half of them--and it belongs to a farmer, you michael@0: know, and he says it's so useful, it's worth a hundred pounds! michael@0: He says it kills all the rats and--oh dear!' cried Alice in a michael@0: sorrowful tone, `I'm afraid I've offended it again!' For the michael@0: Mouse was swimming away from her as hard as it could go, and michael@0: making quite a commotion in the pool as it went. michael@0: michael@0: So she called softly after it, `Mouse dear! Do come back michael@0: again, and we won't talk about cats or dogs either, if you don't michael@0: like them!' When the Mouse heard this, it turned round and swam michael@0: slowly back to her: its face was quite pale (with passion, Alice michael@0: thought), and it said in a low trembling voice, `Let us get to michael@0: the shore, and then I'll tell you my history, and you'll michael@0: understand why it is I hate cats and dogs.' michael@0: michael@0: It was high time to go, for the pool was getting quite crowded michael@0: with the birds and animals that had fallen into it: there were a michael@0: Duck and a Dodo, a Lory and an Eaglet, and several other curious michael@0: creatures. Alice led the way, and the whole party swam to the michael@0: shore. michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: CHAPTER III michael@0: michael@0: A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale michael@0: michael@0: michael@0: They were indeed a queer-looking party that assembled on the michael@0: bank--the birds with draggled feathers, the animals with their michael@0: fur clinging close to them, and all dripping wet, cross, and michael@0: uncomfortable. michael@0: michael@0: The first question of course was, how to get dry again: they michael@0: had a consultation about this, and after a few minutes it seemed michael@0: quite natural to Alice to find herself talking familiarly with michael@0: them, as if she had known them all her life. Indeed, she had michael@0: quite a long argument with the Lory, who at last turned sulky, michael@0: and would only say, `I am older than you, and must know better'; michael@0: and this Alice would not allow without knowing how old it was, michael@0: and, as the Lory positively refused to tell its age, there was no michael@0: more to be said. michael@0: michael@0: At last the Mouse, who seemed to be a person of authority among michael@0: them, called out, `Sit down, all of you, and listen to me! I'LL michael@0: soon make you dry enough!' They all sat down at once, in a large michael@0: ring, with the Mouse in the middle. Alice kept her eyes michael@0: anxiously fixed on it, for she felt sure she would catch a bad michael@0: cold if she did not get dry very soon. michael@0: michael@0: `Ahem!' said the Mouse with an important air, `are you all ready? michael@0: This is the driest thing I know. Silence all round, if you please! michael@0: "William the Conqueror, whose cause was favoured by the pope, was michael@0: soon submitted to by the English, who wanted leaders, and had been michael@0: of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest. Edwin and michael@0: Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria--"' michael@0: michael@0: `Ugh!' said the Lory, with a shiver. michael@0: michael@0: `I beg your pardon!' said the Mouse, frowning, but very michael@0: politely: `Did you speak?' michael@0: michael@0: `Not I!' said the Lory hastily. michael@0: michael@0: `I thought you did,' said the Mouse. `--I proceed. "Edwin and michael@0: Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria, declared for him: michael@0: and even Stigand, the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury, found michael@0: it advisable--"' michael@0: michael@0: `Found WHAT?' said the Duck. michael@0: michael@0: `Found IT,' the Mouse replied rather crossly: `of course you michael@0: know what "it" means.' michael@0: michael@0: `I know what "it" means well enough, when I find a thing,' said michael@0: the Duck: `it's generally a frog or a worm. The question is, michael@0: what did the archbishop find?' michael@0: michael@0: The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, michael@0: `"--found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William michael@0: and offer him the crown. William's conduct at first was michael@0: moderate. But the insolence of his Normans--" How are you michael@0: getting on now, my dear?' it continued, turning to Alice as it michael@0: spoke. michael@0: michael@0: `As wet as ever,' said Alice in a melancholy tone: `it doesn't michael@0: seem to dry me at all.' michael@0: michael@0: `In that case,' said the Dodo solemnly, rising to its feet, `I michael@0: move that the meeting adjourn, for the immediate adoption of more michael@0: energetic remedies--' michael@0: michael@0: `Speak English!' said the Eaglet. `I don't know the meaning of michael@0: half those long words, and, what's more, I don't believe you do michael@0: either!' And the Eaglet bent down its head to hide a smile: michael@0: some of the other birds tittered audibly. michael@0: michael@0: `What I was going to say,' said the Dodo in an offended tone, michael@0: `was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.' michael@0: michael@0: `What IS a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much michael@0: to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that SOMEBODY michael@0: ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything. michael@0: michael@0: `Why,' said the Dodo, `the best way to explain it is to do it.' michael@0: (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter michael@0: day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.) michael@0: michael@0: First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the michael@0: exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party michael@0: were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, michael@0: two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, michael@0: and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know michael@0: when the race was over. However, when they had been running half michael@0: an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called michael@0: out `The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, michael@0: and asking, `But who has won?' michael@0: michael@0: This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of michael@0: thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon michael@0: its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, michael@0: in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence. At michael@0: last the Dodo said, `EVERYBODY has won, and all must have michael@0: prizes.' michael@0: michael@0: `But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices michael@0: asked. michael@0: michael@0: `Why, SHE, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with michael@0: one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, michael@0: calling out in a confused way, `Prizes! Prizes!' michael@0: michael@0: Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand michael@0: in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt michael@0: water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes. michael@0: There was exactly one a-piece all round. michael@0: michael@0: `But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse. michael@0: michael@0: `Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely. `What else have michael@0: you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice. michael@0: michael@0: `Only a thimble,' said Alice sadly. michael@0: michael@0: `Hand it over here,' said the Dodo. michael@0: michael@0: Then they all crowded round her once more, while the Dodo michael@0: solemnly presented the thimble, saying `We beg your acceptance of michael@0: this elegant thimble'; and, when it had finished this short michael@0: speech, they all cheered. michael@0: michael@0: Alice thought the whole thing very absurd, but they all looked michael@0: so grave that she did not dare to laugh; and, as she could not michael@0: think of anything to say, she simply bowed, and took the thimble, michael@0: looking as solemn as she could. michael@0: michael@0: The next thing was to eat the comfits: this caused some noise michael@0: and confusion, as the large birds complained that they could not michael@0: taste theirs, and the small ones choked and had to be patted on michael@0: the back. However, it was over at last, and they sat down again michael@0: in a ring, and begged the Mouse to tell them something more. michael@0: michael@0: `You promised to tell me your history, you know,' said Alice, michael@0: `and why it is you hate--C and D,' she added in a whisper, half michael@0: afraid that it would be offended again. michael@0: michael@0: `Mine is a long and a sad tale!' said the Mouse, turning to michael@0: Alice, and sighing. michael@0: michael@0: `It IS a long tail, certainly,' said Alice, looking down with michael@0: wonder at the Mouse's tail; `but why do you call it sad?' And michael@0: she kept on puzzling about it while the Mouse was speaking, so michael@0: that her idea of the tale was something like this:-- michael@0: michael@0: `Fury said to a michael@0: mouse, That he michael@0: met in the michael@0: house, michael@0: "Let us michael@0: both go to michael@0: law: I will michael@0: prosecute michael@0: YOU. --Come, michael@0: I'll take no michael@0: denial; We michael@0: must have a michael@0: trial: For michael@0: really this michael@0: morning I've michael@0: nothing michael@0: to do." michael@0: Said the michael@0: mouse to the michael@0: cur, "Such michael@0: a trial, michael@0: dear Sir, michael@0: With michael@0: no jury michael@0: or judge, michael@0: would be michael@0: wasting michael@0: our michael@0: breath." michael@0: "I'll be michael@0: judge, I'll michael@0: be jury," michael@0: Said michael@0: cunning michael@0: old Fury: michael@0: "I'll michael@0: try the michael@0: whole michael@0: cause, michael@0: and michael@0: condemn michael@0: you michael@0: to michael@0: death."' michael@0: michael@0: