really are a Queen ? What right have you to call yourself so? You can t
be a Queen, you know, till you ve passed the proper examination. And
the sooner we begin it, the better.
I only said if ! poor Alice pleaded in a piteous tone.
The two Queens looked at each other, and the Red Queen remarked, with a
little shudder, She _says_ she only said if
But she said a great deal more than that! the White Queen moaned,
wringing her hands. Oh, ever so much more than that!
So you did, you know, the Red Queen said to Alice. Always speak the
truth think before you speak and write it down afterwards.
I m sure I didn t mean Alice was beginning, but the Red Queen
interrupted her impatiently.
That s just what I complain of! You _should_ have meant! What do you
suppose is the use of child without any meaning? Even a joke should
have some meaning and a child s more important than a joke, I hope. You
couldn t deny that, even if you tried with both hands.
I don t deny things with my _hands_, Alice objected.
Nobody said you did, said the Red Queen. I said you couldn t if you
tried.
She s in that state of mind, said the White Queen, that she wants to
deny _something_ only she doesn t know what to deny!
A nasty, vicious temper, the Red Queen remarked; and then there was
an uncomfortable silence for a minute or two.
The Red Queen broke the silence by saying to the White Queen, I invite
you to Alice s dinner-party this afternoon.
The White Queen smiled feebly, and said And I invite _you_.
I didn t know I was to have a party at all, said Alice; but if there
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