_two_ little shrieks, and more sounds of broken glass. What a number
of cucumber-frames there must be! thought Alice. I wonder what
they ll do next! As for pulling me out of the window, I only wish they
_could!_ I m sure _I_ don t want to stay in here any longer!
She waited for some time without hearing anything more: at last came a
rumbling of little cartwheels, and the sound of a good many voices all
talking together: she made out the words: Where s the other
ladder? Why, I hadn t to bring but one; Bill s got the other Bill!
fetch it here, lad! Here, put em up at this corner No, tie em
together first they don t reach half high enough yet Oh! they ll do
well enough; don t be particular Here, Bill! catch hold of this
rope Will the roof bear? Mind that loose slate Oh, it s coming down!
Heads below! (a loud crash) Now, who did that? It was Bill, I
fancy Who s to go down the chimney? Nay, _I_ shan t! _You_ do
it! _That_ I won t, then! Bill s to go down Here, Bill! the master says
you re to go down the chimney!
Oh! So Bill s got to come down the chimney, has he? said Alice to
herself. Shy, they seem to put everything upon Bill! I wouldn t be in
Bill s place for a good deal: this fireplace is narrow, to be sure; but
I _think_ I can kick a little!
She drew her foot as far down the chimney as she could, and waited till
she heard a little animal (she couldn t guess of what sort it was)
scratching and scrambling about in the chimney close above her: then,
saying to herself This is Bill, she gave one sharp kick, and waited
to see what would happen next.
The first thing she heard was a general chorus of There goes Bill!
then the Rabbit s voice along Catch him, you by the hedge! then
silence, and then another confusion of voices Hold up his head Brandy
now Don t choke him How was it, old fellow? What happened to you? Tell
us all about it!
Last came a little feeble, squeaking voice, ( That s Bill, thought
Alice,) Well, I hardly know No more, thank ye; I m better now but I m
a deal too flustered to tell you all I know is, something comes at me
like a Jack-in-the-box, and up I goes like a sky-rocket!
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