CHAPTER I One thing was certain that the white kitten had had nothing to do with it. It was the black kitten's fault entirely. For the white kitten had been having its face washed by the old cat for the last quarter of an hour, and bearing it pretty well, considering, so you could see that it couldn't have had any hand in the mischief. The way Dina washed her children's faces was this. First she held the poor thing down by its ear with one paw, and then with the other paw she rubbed its face all over—the wrong way, beginning at the nose. And just now, as I said, she was hard at work on the white kitten, which was lying quite still and trying to purr—no doubt feeling that it was all meant for its good. But the black kitten had been finished with earlier in the afternoon, and so, while Alice was sitting curled up in a corner of the great arm chair, half talking to herself and half asleep, the kitten had been having a grand game of romps with the ball of worsted Alice had been trying to wind up, and had been rolling it up and down till it had all come undone again. And there it was, spread over the hearth-rog, all knots and tangles, with the kitten running after its own tail in the middle.  "'Really, Dina ought to have taught you better manners. You ought, Dina, you know you ought!' she added, looking reproachfully at the old cat, and speaking in as cross a voice as she could manage, and then she scrambled back into the arm chair, taking the kitten and the worsted with her, and began winding up the ball again. But she didn't get on very fast, as she was talking all the time, sometimes to the kitten and sometimes to herself. Kitty sat very demurely on her knee, pretending to watch the progress of the winding, and now and then putting out one paw and gently touching the ball, as if it would be glad to help if it might. "'Do you know what tomorrow is, Kitty?' Alice began. "'You'd have guessed if you'd been up in the window with me. Only Dina was making you tidy, so you couldn't. I was watching the boys getting in sticks for the bonfire, and it wants plenty of sticks, Kitty. Only it got so cold, and it snowed so, they had to leave off. Never mind, Kitty. We'll go and see the bonfire to-morrow.' Here Alice wound two or three turns of the worsted round the kitten's neck just to see how it would look. This led to a scramble in which the ball rolled down upon the floor, and yards and yards of it got unwound again. "'Do you know I was so angry, Kitty?' Alice went on as soon as they were comfortably settled again. When I saw all the mischief you had been doing, I was very nearly opening the window and putting you out into the snow.  What have you got to say for yourself? "'Now don't interrupt me,' she went on, holding up one finger. "'I'm going to tell you all your faults. Number one, you squeaked twice while Dina was washing your face this morning. Now you can't deny it, Kitty. I heard you. What's that you say?' Pretending that the kitten was speaking. "'Her paw went into your eye. Well, that's your fault for keeping your eyes open. If you'd shut them tied up, it wouldn't have happened. Now don't make any more excuses but listen. Number two, you pulled Snowdrop away by the tail just as I had put down the saucer of milk before her. What? You were thirsty, were you? How do you know she wasn't thirsty, too?' "'Now for number three, you unwound every bit of the worsted while I wasn't looking. That's three faults, Kitty, and you've not been punished for any of them yet. You know I'm saving up all your punishments for Wednesday week. Suppose they had saved off all my punishments?' She went on, talking more to herself than the kitten. "'What would they do at the end of a year?' "'I should be sent to prison, I suppose, when the day came. Or let me see. Suppose each punishment was to be going without a dinner. Then, when the miserable day came, I should have to go without fifty dinners at once. Well, I shouldn't mind that much. I'd far rather go without them than eat them.' "'Do you hear the snow against the window-panes, Kitty? How nice and soft it sounds! Just as if someone was kissing the window all over outside. I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields that it kisses them so gently.  And perhaps it says, Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again. And when they wake up in the summer, Kitty, they dress themselves all in green and dance about, whenever the wind blows. Oh, that's very pretty!' cried Alice, dropping the ball of worsted to clapper hands. And I do so wish it was true. I'm sure the woods look sleepy in the autumn when the leaves are getting brown. "'Kitty, can you play chess?' "'Now don't smile, my dear. I'm asking it seriously. Because when we were playing just now, you watched just as if you understood it. And when I said, Check! You purred!' Well, it was a nice check, Kitty, and really I might have won, if it hadn't been for that nasty night that came wiggling down among my pieces. "'Kitty, dear, let's pretend!' And here I wish I could tell you half the things Alice used to say, beginning with her favorite phrase, Let's pretend!' She had had quite a long argument with her sister only the day before, all because Alice had begun with, Let's pretend we're kings and queens. And her sister, who liked being very exact, had argued that they couldn't, because there were only two of them, and Alice had been reduced at last to say, Well, you can be one of them then, and I'll be all the rest.'  But this is taking us away from Alice's speech to the kitten. Let's pretend that you're the red queen, Kitty. Do you know, I think if you sat up and folded your arms you'd look exactly like her. Now do try, there's a deer. And Alice got the red queen off the table, and set it up before the kitten as a model for it to imitate. However, the thing didn't succeed. Principally, Alice said, because the kitten wouldn't fold its arms properly. So, to punish it, she held it up to the looking-glass that it might see how sulky it was. And if you're not that good directly, she added, I'll put you through into looking-glass house. How would you like that? Now, if you'll only attend, Kitty, and not talk so much, I'll tell you all my ideas about looking-glass house. First, there's the room you can see through the glass. That's just the same as our drawing room. Only the things go the other way. I can see all of it when I get upon a chair, all but the bit behind the fireplace. Oh, I do so wish I could see that bit. I want so much to know whether they've a fire in the winter.  But that may be our only pretense, just to make it look as if they had a fire. Well, then, the books are something like our books. Only the words go the wrong way. I know that, because I've held up one of our books to the glass, and then they hold up one in the other room. How would you like to live in looking-glass house, Kitty? I wonder if they give you milk in there. Perhaps looking-glass milk isn't good to drink. But, oh, Kitty, now we come to the passage. You can just see a little peep of the passage in looking-glass house if you leave the door of our drawing-room wide open. And it's very like our passage, as far as you can see. Only you know it may be quite different on beyond. Oh, Kitty, how nice it would be if we could only get through into looking-glass house. I'm sure it's got—oh, such beautiful things in it. Let's pretend there's a way of getting through into it, somehow, Kitty. Let's pretend the glass has got all soft like gauze, so that we can get through. Why? It's turning into a sort of mist now. I declare. It'll be easy enough to get through. She was up on the chimney-piece while she said this, though she hardly knew how she had got there. And certainly the glass was beginning to melt away, just like a bright silvery mist. In another moment Alice was through the glass and had jumped lightly down into the looking-glass room. The very first thing she did was to look whether there was a fire in the fireplace, and she was quite pleased to find that there was a real one blazing away as brightly as the one she had left behind. So I shall be as warm here as I was in the old room, thought Alice. Warmer, in fact, because there'll be no one here to scold me away from the fire. Oh, what fun it'll be when they see me through the glass in here and can't get at me! Then she began looking about, and noticed that what could be seen from the old room was quite common and uninteresting, but that all the rest was as different as possible. For instance, the pictures on the wall next to the fire seemed to be all alive, and the very clock on the chimney-piece, you know you can only see the back of it in the looking-glass, had got the face of a little old man and grinned at her. They don't keep this room so tidy as the other. Alice thought to herself, as she noticed several of the chessmen down in the hearth among the cinders, but in another moment with a little O of surprise, she was down on her hands and knees watching them. The chessmen were walking about, two and two. Here are the Red King and the Red Queen, Alice said, in a whisper for fear of frightening them. And there are the White King and the White Queen sitting on the edge of the shovel. And here are two castles walking arm in arm. I don't think they can hear me. She went on as she put her head closer down. And I'm nearly sure they can't see me. I feel somehow as if I were invisible. Here something began squeaking on the table behind Alice and made her turn her head just in time to see one of the White Ponds roll over and begin kicking. She watched it with great curiosity to see what would happen next. It is the voice of my child. The White Queen cried out as she rushed past the King, so violently that she knocked him over among the cinders. My precious Lily, my Imperial Kitten! And she began scrambling wildly up the side of the fender. Imperial Fiddlestick, said the King, rubbing his nose, which had been hurt by the fall. He had a right to be a little annoyed with the Queen, for he was covered with ashes from head to foot. Alice was very anxious to be of use, and, as the poor little Lily was nearly screaming herself into a fit, she hastily picked up the Queen and set her on the table by the side of her noisy little daughter. The Queen gasped and sat down. The rapid journey through the air had quite taken away her breath, and for a minute or two she could do nothing but hug the little Lily in silence. As soon as she had recovered her breath a little, she called out to the White King, who was sitting sulkily among the ashes. Mind the volcano! Wet volcano! said the King, looking up anxiously into the fire, as if he thought that was the most likely place to find one.  Mind you, come up the regular way.  Alice watched the White King as he slowly struggled up from bar to bar, till at last she said, Why, you'll be hours and hours getting to the table at that rate. I'd far better help you, hadn't I? But the King took no notice of the question. It was quite clear that he could neither hear her nor see her. So Alice picked him up very gently, and lifted him across more slowly than she had lifted the Queen that she might not take his breath away. But before she put him on the table she thought she might as well dust him a little, he was so covered with ashes. She said afterwards that she had never seen in all her life such a face as the King made, when he found himself held in the air by an invisible hand and being dusted. He was far too much astonished to cry out, but his eyes and his mouth went on getting larger and larger and rounder and rounder till her hand shook so with laughing that she nearly let him drop upon the floor. Oh! please don't make such faces, my dear! she cried out, quite forgetting that the King couldn't hear her.  There! Now I think you're tidy enough. She added as she smoothed his hair and set him upon the table near the Queen. The King fell immediately flat on his back and lay perfectly still, and Alice was a little alarmed at what she had done, and went round the room to see if she could find any water to throw over him. However, she could find nothing but a bottle of ink, and when she got back with it she found he had recovered, and he and the Queen were talking together in a frightened whisper so low that Alice could hardly hear what they said. The King was saying, I assure you, my dear, I turned cold to the very ends of my whiskers, to which the Queen replied, You haven't got any whiskers. The horror of that moment, the King went on, I shall never, never forget. You will, though, the Queen said, if you don't make a memorandum of it. Alice looked on with great interest as the King took an enormous memorandum book out of his pocket and began writing. A sudden thought struck her, and she took hold of the end of the pencil, which came some way over his shoulder and began writing for him. The poor King looked puzzled and unhappy, and struggled with the pencil for some time without saying anything, but Alice was too strong for him, and at last he panted out, My dear, I really must get a thinner pencil. I can't manage this one a bit. It writes all manner of things that I don't intend. What manner of things? said the Queen, looking over the book, in which Alice had put, The white knight is sliding down the poker. He balances very badly. That's not a memorandum of your feelings. There was a book lying near Alice on the table, and while she sat watching the White King, for she was still a little anxious about him, and had the ink all ready to throw over him, and case he fainted again, she turned over the leaves to find some part that she could read. For it's all in some language I don't know, she said to herself. It was like this. She puzzled over this for some time, but at last a bright thought struck her. Why? It's a looking-glass book, of course, and if I hold it up to a glass, the words will all go the right way again. This was the poem that Alice read. It was brilliant, and the slithy toves did gire in gimble in the wave. All mimsy were the burrow-goves, and the momeraths outgrabe. Beware the jabber-walk, my son, the jaws that bite, the claws that catch. Beware the jub-jub bird, and shun the frumious bander-snatch. He took his four-pole sword in hand, long-time the manxome foe he sought. So rested he by the tum-tum tree, and stood a while in thought. And as an uffish thought he stood, the jabber-walk with eyes of flame came whiffling through the tolgy wood, and burble as it came. One-two, one-two, and through and through the four-pole blade went, Snickersnack!  And hast thou slain the jabber-walk? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabulous day! Caloo-cale! He chortled in his joy. It was brilliant, and the slithy toves did gire in gimble in the wave. All mimsy were the burrow-goves, and the momeraths outgrabe. It seems very pretty, she said when she had finished it, but it's rather hard to understand. You see, she didn't like to confess, even to herself, that she couldn't make it out at all. Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas, only I don't exactly know what they are. However, somebody killed something that's clear at any rate. But oh! thought Alice, suddenly jumping up. If I don't make haste, I shall have to go back through the looking-glass before I've seen what the rest of the house is like. Let's have a look at the garden first. She was out of the room in a moment, and ran downstairs, or at least it wasn't exactly running but a new invention of hers for getting downstairs quickly and easily, as Alice said to herself. She just kept the tips of her fingers on the handrail, and floated gently down without even touching the stairs with her feet. Then she floated on through the hall, and would have gone straight out at the door in the same way if she hadn't caught hold of the door-post. She was getting a little giddy with so much floating in the air, and was rather glad to find herself walking again in the natural way. End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Of Through the Looking-Glass This is a LibraVox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibraVox.org. Recording by Darla E. Lee Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll Chapter 2 The Garden of Live Flowers I should see the garden far better, said Alice to herself. If I could get to the top of that hill, and here's a path that leads straight to it, at least, no, it doesn't do that, after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners. But I suppose it will at last, but how curiously it twists. It's more like a corkscrew than a path. Well, this turn goes to the hill, I suppose. No, it doesn't. This goes straight back to the house. Well then, I'll try it the other way. And so she did, wandering up and down, and trying turn after turn, but always coming back to the house, do what she would. Indeed, once, when she turned a corner rather more quickly than usual, she ran against it before she could stop herself. It's no use talking about it, Alice said, looking up at the house and pretending it was arguing with her. I'm not going in again yet. I know I should have to get through the looking glass again, back into the old room, and there'd be an end of all my adventures. So resolutely turning her back upon the house, she set out once more down the path, determined to keep straight on till she got to the hill. For a few minutes all went well, and she was just saying, I really shall do it this time. When the path gave a sudden twist and shook itself, as she described it afterwards, and at the next moment she found herself actually walking in at the door. Oh, it's too bad, she cried. I never saw such a house for getting in the way, never. However, there was the hill full in sight, so there was nothing to be done but start again. This time she came upon a large flower bed with a border of daisies and a willow tree growing in the middle. Oh, Tiger Lily, said Alice, addressing herself to one that was waving gracefully about in the wind. I wish you could talk. We can talk, said the Tiger Lily, when there's anybody worth talking to. Alice was so astonished that she could not speak for a minute. It quite seemed to take her breath away. At length, as the Tiger Lily only went on waving about, she spoke again, in a timid voice, almost in a whisper. And can all the flowers talk? As well as you can, said the Tiger Lily, and a great deal louder. It isn't manners for us to begin, you know, said the Rose. And I really was wondering when you'd speak. Said I to myself, her face has got some suns in it, though it's not a clever one. Still, you're the right color, and that goes a long way. I don't care about the color, the Tiger Lily remarked. If only her petals curled up a little more, she'd be all right. Alice didn't like being criticized, so she began asking questions. Aren't you sometimes frightened at being planted out here with nobody to take care of you? There's the tree in the middle, said the Rose. What else is it good for? But what could it do if any danger came? Alice asked. It says bow, wow! cried a Daisy. That's why its branches are called bows.  Silence, every one of you! cried the Tiger Lily, waving itself passionately from side to side, and trembling with excitement. They know I can't get at them! it panted, bending its quivering head towards Alice, or they wouldn't dare do it. Never mind, Alice said in a soothing tone, and stooping down to the Daisies who were just beginning again, she whispered, if you don't hold your tongues, I'll pick you. There was silence in a moment, and several of the pink Daisies turned white. That's right, said the Tiger Lily. The Daisies are worst of all. When one speaks, they all begin together, and it's enough to make one wither to hear the way they go on. How is it? You can all talk so nicely, Alice said, hoping to get it into a better temper by a compliment. I've been in many gardens before, but none of the flowers could talk. Put your hand down and feel the ground, said the Tiger Lily. Then you'll know why. Alice did so. It's very hard, she said, but I don't see what that has to do with it. In most gardens, the Tiger Lily said, they make the beds too soft so that the flowers are always asleep. This sounded a very good reason, and Alice was quite pleased to know it. I never thought of that before, she said. It's my opinion that you never think at all, the rose said in a rather severe tone. I never saw anybody that looked stupider, a violet said, so suddenly that Alice quite jumped, for it hadn't spoken before. Hold your tongue, cried the Tiger Lily, as if you ever saw anybody.  Are there any more people in the garden besides me? Alice said, not choosing to notice the rose's last remark. There's one other flower in the garden that can move about like you. Said the rose, I wonder how you do it.  Is she like me? Alice asked eagerly. For the thought crossed her mind, there's another little girl in the garden somewhere. Well, she has the same awkward shape as you, the rose said, but she's redder, and her petals are shorter, I think. Her petals are done up close, almost like Adalia, the Tiger Lily interrupted, not tumbled about anyhow, like yours. But that's not your fault, the rose added kindly, you are beginning to fade, you know, and then one can't help one's petals getting a little untidy. Alice didn't like this idea at all, so to change the subject, she asked, does she ever come out here? I dare say you'll see her soon, said the rose, she's one of the thorny kind. Where does she wear the thorns? Alice asked with some curiosity. Why all round her head, of course, the rose replied, I was wondering you hadn't got some, too. I thought it was the regular rule. She's coming, cried the Larksper. I hear her footsteps thump, thump, thump along the gravel walk. Alice looked round eagerly and found that it was the red queen. She's grown a good deal, was her first remark. She had indeed, when Alice first found her in the ashes, she had been only three inches high, and here she was half a head taller than Alice herself. It's the fresh air that does it, said the rose, wonderfully fine air it is, out here. I think I'll go and meet her, said Alice, for, though the flowers were interesting enough, she felt that it would be far grander to have a talk with a real queen. You can't possibly do that, said the rose. I should advise you to walk the other way. This sounded nonsense to Alice, so she said nothing, but set off at once towards the red queen. To her surprise, she lost sight of her in a moment, and found herself walking in at the front door again. A little provoked, she drew back, and after looking everywhere for the queen, whom she spied out at last, a long way off, she thought she would try the plan, this time, of walking in the opposite direction. It succeeded beautifully. She had not been walking a minute before she found herself face to face with the red queen, and full in sight of the hill she had been so long aiming at. Where do you come from? said the red queen, and where are you going?  Alice attended to all these directions, and explained as well as she could, that she had lost her way. I don't know what you mean by your way, said the queen. All the ways about here belong to me. But why did you come out here at all? she added in a kinder tone. Curtsy, while you're thinking what to say, it saves time. Alice wondered a little at this, but she was too much in awe of the queen to disbelieve it. I'll try it when I go home, she thought to herself. The next time I'm a little late for dinner. It's time for you to answer now, the queen said, looking at her watch.  I only wanted to see what the garden was like, Your Majesty. That's right, said the queen, patting her on the head, which Alice didn't like at all. Though when you say garden, I've seen gardens compared with which this would be a wilderness. Alice didn't dare to argue the point, but went on. And I thought I'd try and find my way to the top of that hill. When you say hill, the queen interrupted, I could show you hills, in comparison with which you'd call that a valley. No, I shouldn't, said Alice, surprised into contradicting her at last. A hill can't be a valley, you know. That would be nonsense. The red queen shook her head. You may call it nonsense, if you like, she said. But I've heard nonsense compared with which that would be a sensible as a dictionary. Alice curtsied again, as she was afraid from the queen's tone that she was a little offended, and they walked on in silence till they got to the top of the little hill. For some minutes Alice stood without speaking, looking out in all directions over the country. And a most curious country it was. There were a number of tiny little brooks running straight across it from side to side, and the ground between was divided up into squares by a number of little green hedges that reached from brook to brook. I declare it smarked out just like a large chessboard, Alice said at last. There ought to be some men moving about somewhere. And so there are, she added in a tone of delight, and her heart began to beat quick with excitement as she went on. It's a great huge game of chess that's being played, all over the world, if this is the world at all, you know.  How I wish I was one of them! I wouldn't mind being a pawn, if only I might join. Though of course I should like to be a queen, best. She glanced rather shyly at the real queen as she said this, but her companion only smiled pleasantly and said, That's easily managed. You can be the white queen's pawn, if you like, as Lily is too young to play. And you're on the second square to begin with. When you get to the eighth square, you'll be a queen. Just at this moment, somehow or other, they began to run. Alice never could quite make out, in thinking it over afterwards, how it was that they began. All she remembers is that they were running hand in hand, and the queen went so fast that it was all she could do to keep up with her. And still the queen kept crying, faster, faster! But Alice felt she could not go faster. Though she had not breath left to say so, the most curious part of the thing was that the trees and the other things around them never changed their places at all. However fast they went, they never seemed to pass anything. I wonder if all the things move along with us, thought poor puzzled Alice, and the queen seemed to guess her thoughts, for she cried, Faster, don't try to talk! Not that Alice had any idea of doing that. She felt as if she would never be able to talk again. She was getting so much out of breath. And still the queen cried, faster, faster! And dragged her along. Are we nearly there? Alice managed to pant out at last. Nearly there! The queen repeated. Why, we passed it ten minutes ago. Faster! And they ran on for a time in silence, with the wind whistling in Alice's ear, and almost blowing her hair off her head, she fancied. Now, now! cried the queen. Faster, faster! And they went so fast that at last they seemed to skim through the air, hardly touching the ground with their feet, till suddenly, just as Alice was getting quite exhausted, they stopped. And she found herself sitting on the ground, breathless and giddy. The queen propped her up against a tree and said kindly, you may rest a little now. Alice looked round her in great surprise. Why, I do believe we've been under this tree the whole time. Everything's just as it was. Of course it is, said the queen. What would you have it? Well, in our country, said Alice, still panting little, you'd generally get to somewhere else if you ran very fast for a long time, as we've been doing. A slow sort of country, said the queen. Now here, you see, it takes all the running you can do to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that. I'd rather not try, please, said Alice. I'm quite content to stay here, only I am so hot and thirsty. I know what you'd like, the queen said, good-naturedly, taking a little box out of her pocket. Have a biscuit? Alice thought it would not be civil to say no, though it wasn't at all what she wanted. So she took it and ate it as well as she could, and it was very dry, and she thought she had never been so nearly choked in all her life. While you're refreshing yourself, said the queen, I'll just take the measurements. And she took her ribbon out of her pocket, marked in inches, and began measuring the ground and sticking little pegs in here and there. At the end of two yards, she said, putting in a peg to mark the distance. I shall give you your directions. Have another biscuit? No, thank you, said Alice, once quite enough. Thirst quenched, I hope, said the queen. Alice did not know what to say to this, but luckily the queen did not wait for an answer, but went on. At the end of three yards, I shall repeat them, for fear of your forgetting them. At the end of four, I shall say goodbye, and at the end of five, I shall go. She had got all the pegs put in by this time, and Alice looked on with great interest as she returned to the tree, and then began slowly walking down the row. At the two-yard peg she faced round and said, upon goes two squares in its first move, you know, so you'll go very quickly through the third square, by railway, I should think, and you'll find yourself in the fourth square in no time. Well, that square belongs to Tweedle Thumb and Tweedle D. The fifth is mostly water. The sixth belongs to Humpty Dumpty. But you make no remark. I didn't know I had to make one, just them. Alice faltered out. You should have said. It's extremely kind of you to tell me all this. However, we'll suppose it said. The seventh square is all forest. However, one of the knights will show you the way, and in the eighth square we shall be queens together, and it's all feasting and fun. Alice got up and curtsied and sat down again. At the next peg the queen turned again, and this time she said, Speak in French when you can't think of the English for a thing. Turn out your toes as you walk, and remember who you are. She did not wait for Alice to curtsy this time, but walked on quickly to the next peg, where she turned for a moment to say goodbye, and then hurried on to the last. How it happened, Alice never knew, but exactly as she came to the last peg, she was gone. Whether she vanished into the air, or whether she ran quickly into the wood, and she can run very fast, thought Alice. There was no way of guessing, but she was gone. And Alice began to remember that she was a pawn, and that it would soon be time for her to move. End of Chapter 2 The Garden of Live Flowers All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Jennifer Stearns Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll Chapter 3 Looking Glass in Sex Of course the first thing to do was to make a grand survey of the country she was going to travel through. It's something very like learning geography, thought Alice, as she stood on tiptoe in hopes of being able to see a little further. Principal Rivers, there are none. Principal Mountains, I'm on the only one. But I don't think it's got any name. Principal Towns, why, what are those creatures making honey down there? They can't be bees.  And for some time she stood silent, watching one of them that was bustling about among the flowers, poking its proboscis into them. Just as if it was a regular bee, thought Alice. However, this was anything but a regular bee. In fact, it was an elephant. As Alice soon found out, though the idea quite took her breath away at first. And what enormous flowers they must be. Who was her next idea? Something like cottages with a roost taking off, and stalks put to them. And what quantities of honey they must make. I think I'll go down and... No, I won't just yet. She went on, checking herself just as she was beginning to run down the hill, and trying to find some excuse for turning shy so suddenly. It'll never do to go down among them without a good long branch to brush them away. And what fun it'll be when they ask me how I like my walk. I shall say, oh, I like it well enough. Here came the favorite little toss of the head. Only it was so dusty and hot, and the elephants did tease so. I think I'll go down the other way, she said after a pause. And perhaps I may visit the elephants later on. Besides, I do so want to get into the third square. So with this excuse, she ran down the hill, and jumped over the first of the six little brooks. Tickets, please? Said the guard, putting his head in at the window. In a moment, everybody was holding out a ticket. They were about the same size as the people, and quite seemed to fill the carriage. Now then, show your ticket, child. The guard went on, looking angrily at Alice. And a great many voices all said together. Like the chorus of a song, thought Alice. Don't keep him waiting, child. By his time is worth a thousand pounds a minute. I'm afraid I haven't got one. Alice said in a frightened tone. There wasn't a ticket office where I came from. And again the chorus of voices went on. There wasn't room for one where she came from. It wasn't room for one where she came from. Land there is worth a thousand pounds an inch. Don't make excuses, said the guard. You should have bought one from the engine driver. And once more the chorus of voices went on with. The man that drives the engine. The man that drives the engine. Why, the smoke alone is worth a thousand pounds a month. Alice thought to herself, then there's no use in speaking. The voices didn't join in this time, as she hadn't spoken. But to her great surprise, they all thought in chorus. I hope you understand what thinking in chorus means, for I must confess that I don't. Better say nothing at all. Better say nothing at all. Language is worth a thousand pounds a word. I shall dream about a thousand pounds tonight. I know I shall, thought Alice. All this time the guard was looking at her. First through a telescope, then through a microscope, and then through an opera glass.  So young a child, said the gentleman, sitting opposite to her. He was dressed in white paper. Lot to know which way she's going, even if she doesn't know her own name. A goat that was sitting next to the gentleman in white, shut his eyes and said in a loud voice, She ought to know her way to the ticket office, even if she doesn't know her alphabet. There was a beetle sitting next to the goat.  And as the rules seemed to be, and they should all speak in turn, he went on with, She'll have to go back from here as luggage! Alice couldn't see who was sitting beyond the beetle, but a horse for a spoke next. Change engines! It said, and was obliged to leave off. It sounds like a horse, Alice thought to herself. And an extremely small voice, close to her ear, said, You might make a joke on that. Something about horse and horse, you know. Then a gentle voice in the distance said, She must be labelled lass with care, you know. And after that, the other voices went on. What a number of people there are in the carriage! Thought Alice, saying, She must go by post, and she's got a hat on her. She must be sent as a message by the telegram. She must draw the train herself, draw the train herself. And so on. But the gentleman dressed in white paper leaned forward and whispered in her ear, Never mind what they all say, my dear, but take a return ticket every time the train stops. Indeed, I shan't, Alice said rather impatiently. I don't belong to this railway journey at all. I was in the wood just now, and I wish I could get back there. You might make a joke on that, said the little voice, close to her ear. Something about you would, if you could, you know. Don't tease so, said Alice, looking about in vain, to see where the voice came from. If you're so anxious to have a joke made, why don't you make one yourself? The little voice sighed deeply. It was very unhappy. Evidently, an Alice would have said something, pitying to comfort it. If it would only sigh like other people, she thought, but this was such a wonderfully small sigh that she wouldn't have heard it at all if it hadn't come quite close to her ear. The consequence of this was that it tickled her ear very much and quite took off her thoughts from the unhappiness of the poor little creature. I know you are a friend, the little voice went on.  What kind of insect? Alice acquired a little anxiously. What she really wanted to know was whether it could sting or not, but she thought this wouldn't be quite a civil question to ask. What then? You don't? The little voice began. When it was drowned by a shrill scream from the engine, and everybody jumped up in alarm, Alice among the rest.  Everybody seemed satisfied with this, though Alice felt a little nervous at the idea of trains jumping at all. However, it'll take us into the fourth square. That's some comfort, she said to herself. In another moment, she felt the carriage rise straight up into the air, and in her fright, she caught at the thing nearest to her hand, which happened to be the goat's beard. But the beard seemed to melt away as she touched it, and she found herself sitting quietly under a tree, while the gnat, for that was the insect she had been talking to, was balancing itself on a twig just over her head, and fanning her with its wings. It certainly was a very large gnat, about the size of a chicken, Alice thought. Still, she couldn't feel nervous with it after they had been talking together so long. Then you don't like all insects? The gnat went on as quietly as if nothing had happened. I liked them when they could talk, Alice said. None of them ever talk where I come from. What sort of insects do you rejoice in where you come from? The gnat inquired. I don't rejoice in insects at all. Alice explained. Because I'm rather afraid of them, at least the large kinds. But I can tell you the names of some of them. Of course they answer to their names. The gnat remarked carelessly. I never knew them do it. What's the use of their having names? The gnat asked. If they want to answer to them. No use to them, said Alice. But it's useful to the people who name them, I suppose. If not, why do things have names at all? I can't say. The gnat replied. Further on in the wood down there, they've got no names. However, go on with your list of insects. You're wasting time. Well, there's the horse fly. Alice began, counting off the names on her fingers. All right, said the gnat. Halfway up that bush, you'll see a rocking horse fly, if you look. It's made entirely of one, and gets about by swinging itself from branch to branch. What does it live on? Alice asked with great curiosity. Sap and sadast, said the gnat. Go on with the list. Alice looked up at the rocking horse fly, with great interest. They made up her mind, that it must have been just repainted. It looked so bright and sticky. And then she went on. And then said dragonfly. Look on that branch above your head, said the gnat. And then you'll find a snap dragonfly. Its body is made of plum pudding, its wings of holly leaves, and its head is a raisin burning in brandy. And what does it live on? Fru minty and mince pie, the gnat replied. And it makes its nest in a Christmas box. And then there's the butterfly. Alice went on. After she had taken a good look at the insect, with its head on fire, and had thought to herself, I wonder if that's the reason insects are so fond of flying into candles, because they want to turn into snap dragonflies. Crawling at your feet, said the gnat. Alice drew her feet back in some alarm. You may observe a breaded butterfly. Its wings are thin slices of bread and butter. Its body is a quest. And its head is a lump of sugar. And what does it live on? Weak tea with cream in it. A new difficulty came into Alice's head. Supposing it couldn't find any, she suggested. Then it would die, of course. But that must happen very often, Alice remarked thoughtfully. It always happens, said the gnat. After this, Alice was silent for a minute or two, pondering. The gnat amused itself, meanwhile, by humming round and round her head.  No, indeed, Alice said, a little anxiously. And yet I don't know. The gnat went on in a careless tone. Only think how convenient it would be if you could manage to go home without it. For instance, if the governess wanted to call you to your lessons, she would call out, come here, and there she would have to leave off, because there wouldn't be any name for her to call. And, of course, you wouldn't have to go, you know. That would never do, I'm sure, said Alice. The governess would never think of excusing me lessons for that. If she couldn't remember my name, she'd call me Miss, as the servants do. Well, if she said Miss and didn't say anything more, the gnat remarked, Of course she'd miss your lessons. That's a joke. I wished you had made it. Why do you wish I had made it? Alice asked. It's a very bad one, but the gnat only sighed deeply. While two large tears came rolling down its cheeks. You shouldn't make jokes, Alice said. If it makes you so unhappy. Then came another of those melancholy little sighs. And this time the poor gnat really seemed to have sighed itself away. For, when Alice looked up, there was nothing whatever to be seen on the twig. And, as she was getting quite chilly, with sitting still so long, she got up and walked on. She very soon came to an open field, with a wood on the other side of it. It looked much darker than the last wood, and Alice felt a little timid about going into it. However, on second thoughts, she made up her mind to go on. For I certainly won't go back, she thought to herself, and this was the only way to the eighth square. This must be the wood, she said thoughtfully to herself, where things have no names. I wonder what will become of my name when I go in. I shouldn't like to lose it at all, because it had to give me another, and it would be almost certain to be an ugly one. But then the thumb would be trying to find the creature that had got my old name. Just like the advertisements, you know, when people lose dogs, answers to the name of Dash. Had on a brass collar, just fancy, calling everything he met Alice. So one of them answered, only they wouldn't answer at all, if they were wise. She was rambling on in this way when she reached the wood. It looked very cool and shady. Well, at any rate, it's a great comfort, she said, as she stepped under the trees, after being so hot to get into the, into what? She went on, rather surprised at not being able to think of the word. I mean to get under the, under the, under this, you know, putting her hand on the trunk of the tree. Does it call itself, I wonder. I do believe it's got no name. Why, to be sure it hasn't. She stood silent for a minute, thinking. Then she suddenly began again, that it really has happened after all. And now, who am I? I will remember if I can. I'm determined to do it. But being determined didn't help much. And all she could say after a great deal of puzzling was, hell, I know it begins with hell. Just then a fawn came wandering by. It looked at Alice, with its large gentle eyes, and didn't seem at all frightened. Here then, here then, Alice said, as she held out her hand and tried to stroke it. But it only started back a little, and then stood looking at her again. What do you call yourself? The fawn said at last, such a soft, sweet voice it had. I wish I knew, thought poor Alice. She answered rather sadly, nothing just now. Think again, it said. That won't do. Alice thought, but nothing came of it. Please, would you tell me what you call yourself? She said timidly. I'll tell you if you'll move a little further on. The fawn said. I can't remember here. So they walked on together through the wood. Alice with her arms clasped lovingly round the soft neck of the fawn, till they came out into another open field. And here the fawn gave a sudden bound into the air, and shook itself free of Alice's arms. I'm a fawn! It cried out in a voice of delight.  A sudden look of alarm came into its beautiful brown eyes, and in another moment it darted away at full speed. Alice stood looking after it, almost ready to cry with vexation, at having lost her dear little fellow-traveller so suddenly. However, I know my name now. That's some comfort. Alice, Alice, I won't forget it again. And now, which of these finger-posts ought I to follow? I wonder. It was not a very difficult question to answer, as there was only one road through the wood. And the two finger-posts both pointed along it. I'll settle it, Alice said to herself, when the road divides and they point different ways. But this did not seem likely to happen. She went on and on a long way. But wherever the road divided, there were sure to be two finger-posts pointing the same way, one marked to Tweetle Dum's house, and the other to the house of Tweetle Dee. I do believe, said Alice at last, that they live in the same house. I wonder I never thought of that before. But I can't stay there long. I'll just call and say, how do you do? And ask them away out of the wood.  So suddenly, that she could not help starting back. But in another moment, she recovered herself, feeling sure that they must be end of Chapter 3, recording by Jennifer Stearns, Concord, New Hampshire. Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll Chapter 4 Tweetle Dum and Tweetle Dee They were standing under a tree, each with an arm round the other's neck, and Alice knew which was which in a moment, because one of them had, Dum, embroidered on his collar, and the other, Dee. I suppose they each got Tweetle round at the back of the collar, she said to herself. They stood so still that she quite forgot they were alive, and she was just looking round to see if the word Tweetle was written at the back of each collar, when she was startled by a voice coming from the one marked Dum. If you think we're waxworks, he said, you ought to pay, you know. Waxworks weren't made to be looked at for nothing, know-how. Contrary wise, added the one marked Dee, if you think we're alive, you ought to speak. I'm sure I'm very sorry, was all Alice could say, for the words of the old song kept ringing through her head, like the ticking of a clock, and she could hardly help saying them out loud. Tweetle Dum and Tweetle Dee agreed to have a battle, for Tweetle Dum said Tweetle Dee had spoiled his nice new rattle. Just then flew down a monstrous crow as black as a tar-barrel, which frightened both the heroes so they quite forgot their quarrel. I know what you're thinking about, said Tweetle Dum, but it isn't so, know-how. Contrary wise, continued Tweetle Dee, if it was so, it might be, and if it were so, it would be, but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic. I was thinking, Alice said very politely, which is the best way out of this wood? It's getting so dark. Would you tell me, please? But the little men only looked at each other and grinned. They looked so exactly like a couple of great school boys that Alice couldn't help pointing her finger at Tweetle Dum and saying, First Boy, know-how!  Next Boy, said Alice, passing on to Tweetle Dee, though she felt quite certain he would only shout out contrary wise, and so he did. You've been wrong! cried Tweetle Dum. The first thing in a visit is to say, How do you do and shake hands? And here the two brothers gave each other a hug, and then they held out the two hands that were free to shake hands with her. Alice did not like shaking hands with either of them first for fear of hurting the other one's feelings, so as the best way out of the difficulty she took hold of both hands at once, the next moment they were dancing round in a ring. This seemed quite natural, she remembered afterwards, and she was not even surprised to hear music playing. It seemed to come from under the tree under which they were dancing, and it was done, as well as she could make it out, by the branches rubbing one against the other, like fiddles and fiddle sticks. But it certainly was funny, Alice said afterwards when she was telling her sister the history of all this, to find myself singing, here we go round the Mulberry Bush. I don't know when I began it, but somehow I felt as if I'd been singing it a long, long time. The other two dances were fat and very soon out of breath. Four times round is enough for one dance, Tweedle Dum panted out, and they left off dancing as suddenly as they had begun. The music stopped at the same moment. Then they let go of Alice's hands and stood looking at her for a minute. There was a rather awkward pause, as Alice didn't know how to begin a conversation with people she had just been dancing with. It would never do to say, How do you do now? she said to herself. We seem to have got beyond that, somehow. I hope you're not much tired, she said at last. Know how and thank you very much for asking, said Tweedle Dum. So much obliged, added Tweedle Dee. You like poetry? Yes, pretty well, some poetry, Alice said doubtfully. Would you tell me which road leads out of the wood? What shall I repeat to her? said Tweedle Dee, looking round at Tweedle Dum with great solemn eyes and not noticing Alice's question. The walrus and the carpenter is the longest, Tweedle Dum replied, giving his brother an affectionate hug. Tweedle Dee began instantly. The sun was shining. Here Alice ventured to interrupt him. If it's very long, she said as politely as she could, would you please tell me first which road? Tweedle Dum smiled gently and began again. The sun was shining on the sea, shining with all his might. He did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright. And this was odd because it was the middle of the night. The moon was shining sulkily because she thought the sun had got no business to be there after the day was done. It's very rude of him, she said, to come and spoil the fun. The sea was wet as wet could be. The sands were dry as dry. You could not see a cloud because no cloud was in the sky. No birds were flying overhead. There were no birds to fly. The walrus and the carpenter were walking close at hand. They wept like anything to see such quantities of sand. If this were only cleared away, they said it would be grand. If seven maids with seven mops swept it for half a year, do you suppose, the walrus said, that they could get it clear? I doubt it, said the carpenter, and shed a bitter tear. O oysters, come and walk with us, the walrus did beseech. A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, along the briny beach. We cannot do with more than four to give a hand to each. The eldest oyster looked at him, but never a word he said. The eldest oyster winked his eye and shook his heavy head, meaning to say he did not choose to leave the oyster bed. But four young oysters hurried up, all eager for the treat. Their coats were brushed, their faces washed, their shoes were clean and neat. And this was odd, because you know, they hadn't any feet. For other oysters followed them, and yet another four, and thick and fast they came at last, and more, and more, and more, all hopping through the frothy waves and scrambling to the shore. The walrus and the carpenter walked on a mile or so, and then they rested on a rock conveniently low, and all the little oysters stood and waited in a row. The time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things, of shoes and ships and ceiling wax, of cabbages and kings, and why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings. But wait a bit, the oysters cried, before we have our chat, for some of us are out of breath, and all of us are fat. No hurry, said the carpenter, they thanked him much for that. A loaf of bread, the walrus said, is what we chiefly need. Pepper and vinegar, besides, are very good indeed. Now if you're ready, oysters dear, we can begin to feed. But not on us, the oysters cried, turning a little blue. After such kindness that would be a dismal thing to do. The night is fine, the walrus said. Do you admire the view? It was so kind of you to come, and you are very nice. The carpenter said nothing but, cut us another slice. I wish you were not quite so deaf. I've had to ask you twice. It seems a shame, the walrus said, to play them such a trick, after we brought them out so far and made them trot so quick. The carpenter said nothing but, the butters spread too thick. I weep for you, the walrus said. I deeply sympathize. With sobs and tears he sorted out those of the largest size, holding his pocket handkerchief before his streaming eyes. Oh, oysters, said the carpenter, you've had a pleasant run. Shall we be trotting home again? But answer came there none, and that was scarcely odd because they'd eaten every one. I like the walrus best, said Alice, because you see he was a little sorry for the poor oysters. He ate more than the carpenter, though, said Tweedledee. You see he held his handkerchief in front, so that the carpenter couldn't count how many he took, contrary wise. That was mean, Alice said indignantly. Then I like the carpenter best, if he didn't eat so many as the walrus. But he ate as many as he could get, said Tweedledee. This was a puzzler. After a pause Alice began, well, they were both very unpleasant characters. Here she checked herself in some alarm at hearing something that sounded to her like the puffing of a large steam engine in the wood near them, though she feared it was more likely to be a wild beast. Are there any lions or tigers about here? she asked timidly. It's only the red king snoring, said Tweedledee. Come and look at him! the brothers cried, and they each took one of Alice's hands and led her up to where the king was sleeping. Isn't he a lovely sight? said Tweedledum. Alice couldn't say honestly that he was.  I'm afraid he'll catch cold with lying on the damp grass, said Alice, who was a very thoughtful little girl. He's dreaming now, said Tweedledee. And what do you think he's dreaming about? Alice said, nobody can guess that. Why about you? Tweedledee exclaimed, clapping his hands triumphantly. And if he left off dreaming about you, where do you suppose you'd be? Where I am now, of course, said Alice. Not you, Tweedledee retorted contemptuously. You'd be nowhere. Why, you're only a sort of a thing in his dream. If that there king was to wake, added Tweedledum, you'd go out, bang, just like a candle. I shouldn't, Alice exclaimed indignantly. Besides, if I'm only a sort of thing in his dream, what are you I should like to know? Ditto, said Tweedledum. Ditto, ditto, cried Tweedledee. He shouted this so loud that Alice couldn't help saying, Hush, you'll be waking him, I'm afraid, if you make so much noise. Well, it's no use you're talking about waking him, said Tweedledum, when you're only one of the things in his dream, you know very well you're not real. I am real, said Alice, and began to cry. You won't make yourself a bit realer by crying, Tweedledee remarked. There's nothing to cry about. If I wasn't real, Alice said, half laughingly through her tears, it all seemed so ridiculous, I shouldn't be able to cry. I hope you don't suppose those are real tears, Tweedledum interrupted in a tone of great contempt. I know they're talking nonsense, Alice thought to herself, and it's foolish to cry about it. So she brushed away her tears, and went on as cheerfully as she could. At any rate I'd better be getting out of the wood, for really it's coming on very dark. Do you think it's going to rain? Tweedledum spread a large umbrella over himself and his brother, and looked up into it. No, I don't think it is, he said. At least not under here. Know how. But it may rain outside? It may, if it chooses, said Tweedledee. We've no objection, contrary wise. Selfish things, thought Alice, and she was just going to say, good night, and leave them, when Tweedledum sprang out from under the umbrella and seized her by the wrist. Do you see that?  It's only a rattle, Alice said after a careful examination of the little white thing. Not a rattle snake, you know, she added hastily, thinking that he was frightened. Only an old rattle, quite old and broken. I knew it was, cried Tweedledum, beginning to stamp about wildly and tear his hair. It's spoiled, of course. Here he looked at Tweedledee, who immediately sat down on the ground and tried to hide himself under the umbrella. Alice laid her hand upon his arm and said in a soothing tone, you needn't be so angry about an old rattle. But it isn't old, Tweedledum cried, in a greater fury than ever. It's new, I tell you, I bought it yesterday, my nice new rattle! And his voice rose in a perfect scream. All this time Tweedledee was trying his best to fold up the umbrella with himself in it, which was such an extraordinary thing to do that it quite took off Alice's attention from the angry brother.  Of course you agree to have a battle! Tweedledum said in a calmer tone. I suppose so. The other sulkily replied, as he crawled out of the umbrella. Only she must help to dress up, you know. So the two brothers went off hand in hand into the wood, and returned in a minute with their arms full of things, such as bolsters, blankets, hearth rugs, tablecloths, dish covers, and coal-scuttles. I hope you're a good hand at pinning and tying strings! Tweedledum remarked, every one of these things has got to go on, somehow or other. Alice said afterwards she had never seen such a fuss made about anything in her life, the way those two bustled about, and the quantity of things they put on, and the trouble they gave her in tying strings and fastening buttons. Really they're more like bundles of old clothes than anything else by the time they're ready, she said to herself, as she arranged a bolster round the neck of Tweedlede, to keep his head from being cut off, as he said. You know, he added very gravely, it's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle, to get one's head cut off. Alice laughed aloud, but she managed to turn it into a cough for fear of hurting his feelings. Do I look very pale? said Tweedledum, coming up to have his helmet tied on. He called it a helmet, though it certainly looked much more like a saucepan. Well, yes, a little, Alice replied gently. I'm very brave, generally, he went on in a low voice. Only today I happen to have a headache. And I've got a toothache, said Tweedlede, who had overheard the remark.  Then you'd better not fight today, said Alice, thinking it a good opportunity to make peace. We must have a bit of a fight, but I don't care about going on long, said Tweedledum. What's the time now? Tweedlede looked at his watch and said, Half past four. Let's fight till six and then have dinner, said Tweedledum. Very well, the other said rather sadly. And she can watch us. Only you'd better not come very close, he added. I generally hit everything I can see when I get really excited. And I hit everything within reach, cried Tweedledum, whether I can see it or not. Alice laughed. You must hit the trees pretty often, I should think, she said. Tweedledum looked round him with a satisfied smile. I don't suppose, he said, there'll be a tree left standing forever so far around by the time we've finished. And all about a rattle, said Alice, still hoping to make them a little ashamed of fighting for such a trifle. I shouldn't have minded it so much, said Tweedledum, if it hadn't been a new one. I wished the monstrous crow would come, thought Alice. There's only one sword, you know, Tweedledum said to his brother. But you can have the umbrella, it's quite a sharp. Only we must begin quick, it's getting as dark as it can. And darker, said Tweedledee. It was getting dark so suddenly that Alice thought there must be a thunderstorm coming on.  And how fast it comes, why, I do believe, it's got wings. It's the crow, Tweedledum cried out in a shrill voice of alarm, and the two brothers took to their heels and were out of sight in a moment. Alice ran a little way into the wood and stopped under a large tree. It can never get at me here, she thought. It's far too large to squeeze itself in among the trees. But I wish it wouldn't flap its wings so. It makes quite a hurricane in the wood. Here's somebody's shawl being blown away. End of Chapter 4 She caught the shawl as she spoke and looked about for the owner. In another moment, the White Queen came running wildly through the wood, with both arms stretched out wide as if she were flying, and Alice very civilly went to meet her with the shawl. I'm very glad I happened to be in the way, Alice said, as she helped her to put on her shawl again. The White Queen only looked at her in a helpless, frightened sort of way, and kept repeating something in a whisper to herself that sounded like bread and butter, bread and butter. And Alice felt that if there was to be any conversation at all, she must manage it herself, so she began rather timidly. Am I addressing the White Queen? Well, yes, if you call that addressing, the Queen said. It isn't my notion of the thing at all. Alice thought it would never do to have an argument at the beginning of their conversation, so she smiled and said, if Your Majesty will only tell me the right way to begin, I'll do it as well as I can. But I don't want it done at all, grown the poor Queen. I've been addressing myself for the last two hours. It would have been all the better, as it seemed to Alice, if she had got someone else to address her. She was so dreadfully untidy. Every single thing's crooked, Alice thought to herself, and she's all overpins. May I put your shawl straight for you? She added aloud. I don't know what's the matter with it, the Queen said in a melancholy voice. It's out of temper, I think. I've pinned it here, and I've pinned it there, but there's no pleasing it. It can't go straight, you know. If you pin it all on one side, Alice said, as she gently put it right for her. And dear me, what a state your hair is in. The brush has got entangled in it, the Queen said with a sigh, and I lost the comb yesterday. Alice carefully released the brush, and did her best to get the hair into order. Come. You look rather better now, she said, after altering most of the pins. But really, you should have a lady's maid. I'm sure I'll take you with pleasure, the Queen said. Two pence a week, and jam every other day. Alice couldn't help laughing. As she said, I don't want you to hire me. I don't care for jam. It's very good jam, said the Queen. While I don't want any today at any rate, you couldn't have it. If you did want it, the Queen said, the roll is jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today. It must come sometimes to jam today, Alice objected. Now it can't, said the Queen. It's jam every other day. Today isn't any other day, you know. I don't understand, you said, Alice. It's dreadfully confusing. That's the effect of living backwards, the Queen said kindly. It always makes one a little giddy at first. Living backwards, Alice repeated in great astonishment. I never heard of such a thing. But there's one great advantage in it. That one's memory works both ways. I'm sure mine only works one way, Alice remarked. I can't remember things before they happen. It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards, the Queen remarked. What sort of things do you remember best, Alice ventured to ask? Oh, things that happen a week after next, the Queen replied in a careless tone.  There's the king's messenger. He's in prison now, but being punished, and the trial doesn't even begin till next Wednesday, and of course the crime comes last of all. Suppose he never commits the crime, said Alice. That would be all the better, wouldn't it? The Queen said as she bound the plaster round her finger with a bit of ribbon. Alice felt there was no denying that. Of course it would be all the better, she said. But it wouldn't be all the better as being punished. You're wrong there at any rate, said the Queen. Were you ever punished? Only for faults, said Alice. And you were all the better for it. I know, the Queen said triumphantly. Yes. But then I had done the things I was punished for, said Alice. That makes all the difference. But if you hadn't done them, the Queen said, that would have been better still. Better and better and better. Her voice went high with each better, till it got quite to a squeak at last. Alice was just beginning to say, there's a mistake somewhere.  My finger's bleeding.  Her screams were so exactly like the whistle of a steam engine that Alice had to hold both her hands over her ears. What is the matter, she said, as soon as there was a chance of making herself heard? Have you pricked your finger? I haven't pricked it yet, the Queen said. But I soon shall. Oh, oh, oh, when do you expect to do it? Alice asked, feeling very inclined to laugh. When I fastened my shawl again, the poor Queen groaned out. The brooch will come undone directly. Oh, oh, as she said this words, the brooch flew open and the Queen clutched wildly at it and tried to clasp it again. Take care, cried Alice. You're holding it all crooked, and she cotted the brooch, but it was too late. The pin had slipped and the Queen had pricked her finger. That accounts for the bleeding. You see? She said to Alice with a smile. Now you understand the way things happen here. But why don't you scream now? Alice asked, holding her hands, ready to put over her ears again. Why, I've done all the screaming already, said the Queen. What would be the good of having it all over again? By this time it was getting light. The chrome must have flown away, I think, said Alice. I'm so glad it's gone. I thought it was night coming on. I wish I could manage to be glad, the Queen said. Only I never can remember the rule. You must be very happy living in this wood and being glad whenever you like. Only it is so very lonely here, Alice said in a melancholy voice, and at the thought of her loneliness, two large tears came rolling down her cheeks. Oh, don't go on like that, cried the poor Queen, wringing her hands in despair. Consider what a great girl you are. Consider what a long way you've come today. Consider what a clock it is. Consider anything, only don't cry. Alice could not help laughing at this, even in the midst of her tears. Can you keep from crying by considering things? She asked. That's the way it's done, the Queen said with great decision. Nobody can do two things at once, you know. Let's consider your age to begin with. How old are you? I'm seven and a half exactly. You didn't say exactly, the Queen remarked. I can believe it without that. Now I'll give you something to believe. I'm just one hundred and one, five months and a day. I can't believe that, said Alice. Can't you, the Queen said in a pitying tone? Try again.  Alice laughed. There's no use trying, she said. One can't believe impossible things. I daresay you haven't had much practice, said the Queen. When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes, I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. There goes the shawl again. The brooch had come undone as she spoke, and a sudden gust of wind blew the Queen's shawl across a little brook. The Queen spread out her arms again and went flying after it, and this time she succeeded in catching it for herself. I've got it, she cried in a triumphant tone. Now you shall see me pin it on again, all by myself. Then I hope your finger is better now, Alice said very politely as she crossed the little brook after the Queen. Oh, much better, cried the Queen, her voice rising to a squeak as she went on. Much better, be at her, be at her, be at it. The last words ended in a long bleep, so like a shape that Alice quite started. She looked at the Queen, who seemed to have suddenly wrapped herself up in wool. Alice rubbed her eyes and looked again. She couldn't make out what had happened at all. Was she in a shop? And was that really? Was it really a sheep that was sitting on the other side of the counter? Rubbish she could. She could make nothing more of it. She was in a little dark shop, leaning with her elbows on the counter, and opposite to her was an old sheep. Sitting in an armchair knitting, and every now and then, leaving off to look at her through a great pair of spectacles. What is it you want to buy? The sheep said at last, looking up for a moment from her knitting. I don't quite know yet, Alice said very gently. I should like to look all around me first, if I might.  But these, as it happened, Alice had not got. So she contented herself with turning round, looking at the shelves as she came to them. The shop seemed to be full of all manner of curious things, but the oddest part of it all was, that whenever she looked hard at any shelf, to make out exactly what it had on it, that particular shelf was always quite empty, though the others around it were crowded as full as they could hold. Things flow about so here, she said at last, in a plaintive tone, after she had spent a minute or so, in vainly pursuing a large, bright thing, that looked sometimes like a doll, and sometimes like a workbox, and was always in the shelf, next above the one she was looking at. And this one is the most provoking of all. But I'll tell you what, she added, as a sudden thought struck her. I'll follow it up to the very top shelf of all. It'll puzzle it to go through the ceiling, I expect. But even this plant felled. The thing went through the ceiling as quietly as possible, as if it were quite used to it.  The sheep said, as she took up another pair of needles.  She was now working with fourteen pairs at once, and Alice couldn't help looking at her in great astonishment. How can she knit with so many, the puzzled child thought to herself? She gets more and more like a porcupine every minute. Can you row, the sheep asked, handing her a pair of knitting needles as she spoke? Yes, a little, but not on land, and not with needles. Alice was beginning to say, when suddenly the needles turned into oars in her hands, and she found they were in a little boat, gliding along between banks, so there was nothing for it but to do her best. Feather said the sheep, as she took up another pair of needles. This didn't sound like a remark that needed any answer, so Alice said nothing, but pulled away. There was something very queer about the water, she thought, as every now and then the oars got fast in it, and would hardly come out again. Feather, feather, the sheep cried again, taking more needles, you'll be catching a crab directly. A dear little crab, thought Alice, I should like that.  Indeed I did, said Alice. You've said it very often, and very loud. Please, where are the crabs? In the water, of course, said the sheep, sticking some of the needles into her hair, as her hands were full. Feather, I say. Why do you say feather so often? Alice asked last, rather vexed. I'm not a bird. You are, said the sheep.  This offended Alice a little, so there was no more conversation for a minute or two, while the boat glided gently on, sometimes among beds of weeds, which made the oars stick fast in the water worse than ever, and sometimes under trees, but always with the same tall river banks frowning over their heads. Oh, please! There are some scented rushes, Alice cried, in a sudden transport of delight. There really are, and such beauties! You needn't say please to me about them, the sheep said, without looking up from her knitting. I didn't put them there, and I'm not going to take them away. No, but I meant please may we wait and pick some, Alice pleaded, if you don't mind stopping the boat for a minute. How am I to stop the boat, said the sheep. If you leave off rowing, it'll stop of itself. So the boat was left to drift down the stream as it would, till it glided gently in among the waving rushes, and then the little sleeves were carefully rolled up, and the little arms were plunged in elbow-deep to get the rushes a good long way down before breaking them off. And for a while Alice forgot all about the sheep and the knitting, as she bent over the side of the boat, with just the ends of her tangled hair dipping into the water, while with bright eager eyes she caught it one bunch after another of the darling scented rushes. I only hoped the boat won't tip all over, she said to herself, oh, what a lovely one! Only I couldn't quite reach it, and it certainly did seem a little provoking, almost as if it happened on purpose, she thought. That, though she managed to pick plenty of beautiful rushes as the boat glided by, there was always a more lovely one that she couldn't reach. The prettiest are always further, she said at last. With a sigh at the obstinacy of the rushes and growing so far off, as with flesh cheeks and dipping hair in hands, she scrambled back into her place and began to arrange her newfound treasures. What mattered it to her just then that the rushes had begun to fade and to lose all their scent and beauty from the very moment that she picked them? Even real scented rushes, you know, last only a very little while, and these, being dream rushes, melted away almost like snow, as they lay in heaps at her feet. But Alice hardly noticed this. There were so many other curious things to think about. They hadn't gone much farther before the blade of one of the oars got fast in the water and wouldn't come out again, so Alice explained it afterward. And the consequence was the handle of it caught her under the chin, and in spite of a series of little shrieks of, oh, oh, oh, from poor Alice, it swept her straight off the seat and down among the heap of rushes. However, she wasn't hurt, and was soon up again. The sheep went on with her nading all the while, just as if nothing had happened. That was a nice crab you caught, she remarked, as Alice got back into her place, very much relieved to find herself still in the boat. Was it? I didn't see it, said Alice, peeping cautiously over the side of the boat into the dark water. I wish it hadn't let go. I should so like to see a little crab to take home with me. But the sheep only laughed scornfully and went on with her nitting. Are there many crabs here, said Alice? Crabs and all sorts of things, said the sheep. Plenty of choice. Only make up your mind. Now what DO you want to buy? To buy, Alice echoed in a tone that was half astonishment and half frightened, for the oars and the bow and the river had vanished all in a moment, and she was back again in the little dark shop. I should like to buy an egg, please, she said timidly. How do you sell them? Five pence farthing for one. Two pence for two, the sheep replied. Then two are cheaper than one, Alice said in this prize tone, taking out her purse.  Then I'll have one, please, said Alice, as she put the money down on the counter. For she thought to herself, they might be at all nice, you know. The sheep took the money and put it away in a box. Then she said, I never put things into people's hands. That would never do. You must get it for yourself. And so, saying, she went off to the other end of the shop, and set the egg upright on a shelf. I wonder why it wouldn't do, thought Alice, as she groped her way among the tables and chairs, for the shop was very dark towards the end. The egg seemed to get further away the more I walked toward it. Let me see. Is this his chair? Why, it's got branches. I declare. Have very odd to find trees growing here. And actually there's a little brook. Well, this is a very querious shop I ever saw. So she went on, wandering more and more at every step. As everything turned into a tree, the moment she came up to it, and she quite expected the egg to do the same. End of chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Soudu Looking-Glass This is a LibreVox recording. All LibreVox recordings in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibreVox.org recording by Ellie through the Looking-Glass by Louise Carroll. Chapter 6, Humpty Dumpty However, the egg got only larger and larger and more and more human. When she had come within a few yards of it, she saw that it had eyes and a mouse and a nose. And when she had come close to it, she saw very clearly that it was Humpty Dumpty himself. It can't be anybody else, she said to herself, I'm a certain of it, as if his name were written all over his face. It might have been written a hundred times easily on that enormous face. Humpty Dumpty was sitting with his legs crossed like a turk on the top of a high wall. Such a narrow one, that Ellie's quite wondered how he could keep his balance. And as his eyes were steadily fixed in the opposite direction, and he didn't take the least notice of her, she thought he must be a stuffed figure after all. And how exactly like an egg he is, she said aloud, standing with her hands ready to catch him, for she was every moment expecting him to fall. It is very provoking, Humpty Dumpty said, after a long silence, looking away from Ellie's as he spoke, to be called an egg, very. I said you looked like an egg, sir. Ellie's gently explained, and some eggs are very pretty you know, she added, hoping to turn her remark into a sort of compliment. Some people said Humpty Dumpty, looking away from her as usual, have no more sense than a baby. Ellie's didn't know what to say to this, and it wasn't at all like conversation she sought, and as he never said anything to her, in fact his last remark was evidently addressed to a tree, so she stood and softly repeated to herself. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, and all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty in his place again. That last line is much too long for the poetry she added, almost out loud forgetting that Humpty Dumpty could hear her. Don't stand there chatting to yourself like that, Humpty Dumpty said, looking at her for the first time, but tell me your name and your business.  What does it mean? Must the name mean something? Ellie's asked doubtfully. Of course it must, Humpty Dumpty said with a short laugh. My name means the shape I am. A good and handsome shape it is too, with a name like yours, you might be any shape, almost. Why do you sit out there all alone? said Alice, not wishing to begin an argument. Why, because there's nobody with me? cried Humpty Dumpty. Did you think I didn't know the answer to that? Ask me another. Don't you think you'd be safer down on the ground? Alice went on, not with any idea of making another riddle, but simply in her good nature and anxiety for the queer creature. That wall is so very narrow. What tremendously easy riddles you ask, Humpty Dumpty crawled out. Of course I don't think so, why if I ever did fall off, which there's no chance of, but if I did, here he pursed his lips and looked so solemn and grand that Alice could hardly help loving.  Now I declare that it's too bad, Humpty Dumpty cried, breaking with sudden passion. You've been listening at doors and behind trees and down chimneys, or you couldn't have known it. I haven't indeed, I listed where I gently, it's in a book. Ah well, they may write such things in a book, Humpty Dumpty said in a calm at home. That's what you call a history of England it is. Now, take a good look at me. I'm the one that has spoken to a king, I am, may have, you will never see such another, and to show you I'm not proud, you may shake hands with me, and he grinned almost from ear to ear, as he leaned forwards, and as nearly as possible fell off the wall in doing so, and offered Alice his hand. She watched him little anxiously as she took it. If he smiled much more, the ends of his mouth might meet behind, she said, and then I don't know what would happen to his head, I'm afraid it would come off. Yes, all his horses and all his men, Humpty Dumpty went on. They'd pick me up again in a minute, they would. However, this conversation is going a little too fast. Let's go back to the last remark, what one? I'm afraid I can't quite remember it. Alice said very politely, in that case, we start fresh, set Humpty Dumpty, and it's my turn to choose a subject. He talks about it, just as if it was a game, thought Alice. So, here's a question for you, how old did you say you were? Alice made a short calculation and said, seven years and six months. Wrong, how did Ampty exclaimed triumphantly, you never said a word like it. I thought you meant how old are you? Alice explained. If I'd meant that, I'd have said it, said Humpty Dumpty. Alice didn't want to begin another argument, so she said nothing. Seven years and six months, Humpty Dumpty repeated thoughtfully an uncomfortable sort of age. Now, if you'd asked my advice, I'd have said live off at seven, but it's too late now. I never asked twice about growing, Alice said indignantly. Too proud, the other inquired. Alice felt even more indignant at this suggestion, I mean, she said that one can't help growing older. One can't perhaps, said Humpty Dumpty. But two can, with proper assistance, you might have left off at seven. What the beautiful belt you've got on, Alice suddenly remarked. They had had quite enough of the subject of age she sought, and if they really were to take turns in choosing subjects, it was her turn now. At least she corrected herself on second thoughts, a beautiful cravet, I should have said no about.  She added in this may, for Humpty Dumpty looked sorely offended, and she began to wish she hadn't chosen that subject, if I only knew she sought herself. It was neck and it was waist. Evidently, Humpty Dumpty was very angry, though he said nothing for a minute or two. When he did speak again, it was in a deep growl. It is the most provoking thing, he said at last, when a person doesn't know a cravet from a belt. I know it's very ignorant of me, Alice said in so humbly tone that Humpty Dumpty relented. It's a cravet, child, and a beautiful one, as you say. It's a present from the White King and Queen, the Annau. Is it really that Alice quite pleased to find that she had chosen a good subject after all? They gave it to me, Humpty Dumpty continued sorely, as he crossed one knee over the other, and clasped his hands round it. They gave it to me, for an unbirthed present. I beg your pardon, Alice said with a puzzled air. I am not offended, said Humpty Dumpty. I mean, what is an unbirthed present? A present given when it isn't your birthday, of course. Alice considered a little. I like birthday presents best, she said at last. You don't know what you are talking about, cried Humpty Dumpty. How many days are there in a year? 365, said Alice. And how many birthdays have you? One. And if you take one from 365, what remains? 364, of course, Humpty Dumpty looked doubtful. I rather see that done on paper, he said. Alice couldn't help smiling as she took out a memorandum book, and worked it some for him. Humpty Dumpty took the book, and looked at it carefully. That seems to be done right, he began. You are holding it upside down, Alice interrupted. To be sure it was, Humpty Dumpty said gale, as she turned it round for him. I thought it looked a little queer. As I was saying, that seems to be done right, though I haven't time to look it over thoroughly just now, and that shows that there are 364 days, when you might get a birthday present. Certainly, said Alice. And only one for birthday presents, you know, there is glory for you. I don't know what you mean by glory, said Alice, Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. Of course you don't, till I tell you, I meant there is a nice knockdown argument for you. But glory doesn't mean a nice knockdown argument, Alice objected. When I use a word, Humpty Dumpty said in a rather scornful tone, it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less. The question is, said Alice, whether you can make words mean so many different things. The question is, said Humpty Dumpty, which is the master, that's all. Alice was too much puzzled to say anything, so after a minute Humpty Dumpty began again. They have a temper, some of them, particularly verbs, they are the broadest. Adjectives, you can do anything with, but not verbs. However, I can manage a whole lot of them. Impenetrability, that's what they say. Would you tell me please, said Alice, what that means? Now, you talk like a reasonable child, said Humpty Dumpty, very much pleased. I meant by impenetrability, that we've had enough of the subject. And it would be just as well, if you'd mention what you mean to do next, as I suppose you don't mean to stop here all the rest of your life. That's a great deal to make one word mean, Alice said in a thoughtful tone. When I make a word, do a lot of work like that, said Humpty Dumpty, I always pay it extra. Oh, said Alice, she was much puzzled to make any other remark. Ah, you should see him come round me, of a Saturday night, Humpty Dumpty went on, wagging his head gravely from side to side, for to get the wages, you know. Alice didn't venture to ask what he paid them this, and so you see, I can tell you. You seem very clear at explaining words, sir, said Alice. Would you kindly tell me the meaning of the poem called Jabberwocky? Let's hear it, said Humpty Dumpty. I can explain all poems that were ever invented, and the good many that haven't been invented just yet. This sounded very hopeful, so Alice repeated the first verse. It was thrilling at the slicey tops, did cry and gimble in the vape, while mimsy were the borogoths, and the murmurous odd-grabe. That's enough to begin with, Humpty Dumpty interrupted. There are plenty of hard words there. Prillig wins four o'clock in the afternoon. The time when you begin broiling sinks for dinner. That'll do very well, said Alice, and slicey. Well, slicely means slice and slimy. Light is the same as active. You see, it's like a portmanteau. There are two meanings packed into one word. I see it now, Alice remarked thoughtfully, and what are toffs? Well, toffs are something like batches. They are something like lizards, and they are something like quarkscrews. They must be very curious-looking creatures. They are dead, said Humpty Dumpty. Also, they make their nests and the sandals.  And what's crya and to gimble? To crya is to go round and round like a cryoscope. To gimble is to make holes like a gimlet. And the vape is the grass plot around the sandal, I suppose, said Alice surprised at her own ingenuity. Of course it is, it's cold vape, you know. Because it goes a long way before it, and a long way behind it. And a long way beyond it on each side, Alice added. Exactly so. Well, then, mimsy is flimsy and miserable. There's another portmanteau for you. And the burrow-goth is a thin, shabby-looking bird, with its feathers sticking all around. Something like a life mop. And what the mom rest, said Alice, I'm afraid I'm giving you a great deal of trouble.  But mom, I'm not certain about. I think it's short for from home, meaning that they'd lost their way, you know. And what does outgrabe mean? Well, outgrabing is something between ballering and whistling. It's a kind of sneeze in the middle. However, you will hear it done, maybe, down in the wood yonder. And when you've heard it once, you will be quite content. Who's been repeating all that hard stuff to you? I read it in a book, said Alice. But I had some poetry repeated to me, much easier than that by twiddly. I think it was.  I can repeat poetry as well as other folk, if it comes to that. Oh, it didn't come to that. Alice hastily said, hoping to keep him from beginning. The piece I'm going to repeat even on without noticing her remark was written entirely for your amusement. Alice felt that in that case she ought to listen to it. So she sat down and said thank you rather sadly. In winter, when the fields are wide, I sing this song for your delight. Only I don't sing it, he added, as an explanation. I see you don't, said Alice. If you can see that I'm singing or not, your sharper eyes the most, Humpty Dumpty remarked severely. Alice was silent. In spring, when woods are getting green, I'll try and tell you what they mean. Thank you very much, said Alice. In summer, when the days are long, perhaps you'll understand the song. In autumn, when the leaves are brown, take pen and ink and write it down. I will if I can remember it so long, said Alice. You needn't go on making remarks like that, Humpty Dumpty said. They are not sensible, and they put me out. I sent a message to the fish. I told him that is what I wish. The little fishes of the sea, they sent an answer back to me. The little fishes answer was, we cannot do it sir, because I am afraid it don't quite understand, said Alice. It gets easier further on, Humpty Dumpty replied. I sent to them again to say, it will be better to obey. The fishes answered with the grin, why, what a temper you are in. I told them once, I told them twice, they would not listen to it twice. I took a kettle large and new, fit for the deed I had to do. My heart went hob, my heart went sump, I filled the kettle at the pump. Then someone came to me and said, the little fishes are in bed. I said to him, I said it plain, then you must wake them up again. I said it very loud and clear, I went and shouted in his ear. Humpty Dumpty raised his voice almost to his scream, as he repeated the verse, and Alice thought with a shudder, I wouldn't have been the messenger for anything. But he was very stiff and proud, he said, you needn't shout too loud. And he was very proud and stiff, he said, I'd go and wake them if. I took a corkscrew from the shelf, and went to wake them up myself. And when I found the door was locked, I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked. And when I found the door was shut, I tried to turn the handlebutt. There was a long pause. Is that all? Alice timidly asked. That's all, said Humpty Dumpty. Goodbye. This was rather sudden Alice thought. But after such a very strong hint, that she ought to be going, she felt that it would hardly be civil to stay. So she got up and held out her hand. Goodbye till we meet again. She said as cheerfully as she could. I shouldn't know you again if you did meet. Humpty Dumpty replied with a discontented tone, giving her one of his fingers to shake. You are so exactly like other people. The face is what one goes by generally, Alice remarked in a thoughtful tone. That's just what I complain of, said Humpty Dumpty. Your face is the same as everybody has. The two eyes saw, marking their places in the air with his thumb, the nose in the middle, the mouth under. It's always the same. Now if you had two eyes on the same side of your nose for instance, or the mouth at the top, that would be some help. It wouldn't look nice, Alice objected.  Alice waited a minute to see if he would speak again. But as he never opened his eyes or took any further notice of her, she said goodbye once more and getting no answer to this, she quietly walked away. But she couldn't help saying to herself as she went, oh, all the unsatisfactory. She repeated this aloud, as it was a great comfort to have such a long word to say, of all the unsatisfactory people I ever met. She never finished the sentence. For at this moment a heavy crash shook the forest from end to end.