She spoke to the Red Queen, whose answer was a little wide of the mark.
As to fishes, she said, very slowly and solemnly, putting her mouth
close to Alice s ear, her White Majesty knows a lovely riddle all in
poetry all about fishes. Shall she repeat it?
Her Red Majesty s very kind to mention it, the White Queen murmured
into Alice s other ear, in a voice like the cooing of a pigeon. It
would be _such_ a treat! May I?
Please do, Alice said very politely.
The White Queen laughed with delight, and stroked Alice s cheek. Then
she began:
First, the fish must be caught.
That is easy: a baby, I think, could have caught it.
Next, the fish must be bought.
That is easy: a penny, I think, would have bought it.
Now cook me the fish!
That is easy, and will not take more than a minute.
Let it lie in a dish!
That is easy, because it already is in it.
Bring it here! Let me sup!
It is easy to set such a dish on the table.
Take the dish-cover up!
Ah, that is so hard that I fear I m unable!
For it holds it like glue
Holds the lid to the dish, while it lies in the middle:
Which is easiest to do,
Un-dish-cover the fish, or dishcover the riddle?
Take a minute to think about it, and then guess, said the Red Queen.
Meanwhile, we ll drink your health Queen Alice s health! she screamed
at the top of her voice, and all the guests began drinking it directly,
and very queerly they managed it: some of them put their glasses upon
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