CHAPTERI
DowntheRabbit—HoleAlicewasbeginningtogetverytiredofsittingbyhersisteronthebank，andofhavingnothingtodo：onceortwiceshehadpeepedintothebookhersisterwasreading，butithadnopicturesorconversationsinit，`andwhatistheuseofabook，’
thoughtAlice`withoutpicturesorconversation？’
Soshewasconsideringinherownmind（aswellasshecould，forthehotdaymadeherfeelverysleepyandstupid），whetherthepleasureofmakingadaisy—chainwouldbeworththetroubleofgettingupandpickingthedaisies，whensuddenlyaWhiteRabbitwithpinkeyesranclosebyher。
TherewasnothingsoVERYremarkableinthat；nordidAlicethinkitsoVERYmuchoutofthewaytoheartheRabbitsaytoitself，`Ohdear!Ohdear!Ishallbelate!’（whenshethoughtitoverafterwards，itoccurredtoherthatsheoughttohavewonderedatthis，butatthetimeitallseemedquitenatural）；
butwhentheRabbitactuallyTOOKAWATCHOUTOFITSWAISTCOAT—
POCKET，andlookedatit，andthenhurriedon，Alicestartedtoherfeet，foritflashedacrosshermindthatshehadneverbeforeseenarabbitwitheitherawaistcoat—pocket，orawatchtotakeoutofit，andburningwithcuriosity，sheranacrossthefieldafterit，andfortunatelywasjustintimetoseeitpopdownalargerabbit—holeunderthehedge。
InanothermomentdownwentAliceafterit，neveronceconsideringhowintheworldshewastogetoutagain。
Therabbit—holewentstraightonlikeatunnelforsomeway，andthendippedsuddenlydown，sosuddenlythatAlicehadnotamomenttothinkaboutstoppingherselfbeforeshefoundherselffallingdownaverydeepwell。
Eitherthewellwasverydeep，orshefellveryslowly，forshehadplentyoftimeasshewentdowntolookaboutherandtowonderwhatwasgoingtohappennext。First，shetriedtolookdownandmakeoutwhatshewascomingto，butitwastoodarktoseeanything；thenshelookedatthesidesofthewell，andnoticedthattheywerefilledwithcupboardsandbook—shelves；
hereandthereshesawmapsandpictureshunguponpegs。Shetookdownajarfromoneoftheshelvesasshepassed；itwaslabelled`ORANGEMARMALADE’，buttohergreatdisappointmentitwasempty：shedidnotliketodropthejarforfearofkillingsomebody，somanagedtoputitintooneofthecupboardsasshefellpastit。
`Well!’thoughtAlicetoherself，`aftersuchafallasthis，I
shallthinknothingoftumblingdownstairs!Howbravethey’llallthinkmeathome!Why，Iwouldn’tsayanythingaboutit，evenifIfelloffthetopofthehouse!’（Whichwasverylikelytrue。）
Down，down，down。WouldthefallNEVERcometoanend!`I
wonderhowmanymilesI’vefallenbythistime？’shesaidaloud。
`Imustbegettingsomewherenearthecentreoftheearth。Letmesee：thatwouldbefourthousandmilesdown，Ithink——’（for，yousee，Alicehadlearntseveralthingsofthissortinherlessonsintheschoolroom，andthoughthiswasnotaVERYgoodopportunityforshowingoffherknowledge，astherewasnoonetolistentoher，stillitwasgoodpracticetosayitover）`——yes，that’sabouttherightdistance——butthenIwonderwhatLatitudeorLongitudeI’vegotto？’（AlicehadnoideawhatLatitudewas，orLongitudeeither，butthoughttheywerenicegrandwordstosay。）
Presentlyshebeganagain。`IwonderifIshallfallrightTHROUGHtheearth!Howfunnyit’llseemtocomeoutamongthepeoplethatwalkwiththeirheadsdownward!TheAntipathies，I
think——’（shewasrathergladthereWASnoonelistening，thistime，asitdidn’tsoundatalltherightword）`——butIshallhavetoaskthemwhatthenameofthecountryis，youknow。
Please，Ma’am，isthisNewZealandorAustralia？’（andshetriedtocurtseyasshespoke——fancyCURTSEYINGasyou’refallingthroughtheair!Doyouthinkyoucouldmanageit？）`Andwhatanignorantlittlegirlshe’llthinkmeforasking!No，it’llneverdotoask：perhapsIshallseeitwrittenupsomewhere。’
Down，down，down。Therewasnothingelsetodo，soAlicesoonbegantalkingagain。`Dinah’llmissmeverymuchto—night，I
shouldthink!’（Dinahwasthecat。）`Ihopethey’llrememberhersaucerofmilkattea—time。Dinahmydear!Iwishyouweredownherewithme!Therearenomiceintheair，I’mafraid，butyoumightcatchabat，andthat’sverylikeamouse，youknow。
Butdocatseatbats，Iwonder？’AndhereAlicebegantogetrathersleepy，andwentonsayingtoherself，inadreamysortofway，`Docatseatbats？Docatseatbats？’andsometimes，`Dobatseatcats？’for，yousee，asshecouldn’tanswereitherquestion，itdidn’tmuchmatterwhichwaysheputit。Shefeltthatshewasdozingoff，andhadjustbeguntodreamthatshewaswalkinghandinhandwithDinah，andsayingtoherveryearnestly，`Now，Dinah，tellmethetruth：didyouevereatabat？’whensuddenly，thump!thump!downshecameuponaheapofsticksanddryleaves，andthefallwasover。
Alicewasnotabithurt，andshejumpedupontoherfeetinamoment：shelookedup，butitwasalldarkoverhead；beforeherwasanotherlongpassage，andtheWhiteRabbitwasstillinsight，hurryingdownit。Therewasnotamomenttobelost：
awaywentAlicelikethewind，andwasjustintimetohearitsay，asitturnedacorner，`Ohmyearsandwhiskers，howlateit’sgetting!’Shewasclosebehinditwhensheturnedthecorner，buttheRabbitwasnolongertobeseen：shefoundherselfinalong，lowhall，whichwaslitupbyarowoflampshangingfromtheroof。
Thereweredoorsallroundthehall，buttheywerealllocked；
andwhenAlicehadbeenallthewaydownonesideanduptheother，tryingeverydoor，shewalkedsadlydownthemiddle，wonderinghowshewasevertogetoutagain。
Suddenlyshecameuponalittlethree—leggedtable，allmadeofsolidglass；therewasnothingonitexceptatinygoldenkey，andAlice’sfirstthoughtwasthatitmightbelongtooneofthedoorsofthehall；but，alas!eitherthelocksweretoolarge，orthekeywastoosmall，butatanyrateitwouldnotopenanyofthem。However，onthesecondtimeround，shecameuponalowcurtainshehadnotnoticedbefore，andbehinditwasalittledooraboutfifteenincheshigh：shetriedthelittlegoldenkeyinthelock，andtohergreatdelightitfitted!
Aliceopenedthedoorandfoundthatitledintoasmallpassage，notmuchlargerthanarat—hole：shekneltdownandlookedalongthepassageintotheloveliestgardenyoueversaw。
Howshelongedtogetoutofthatdarkhall，andwanderaboutamongthosebedsofbrightflowersandthosecoolfountains，butshecouldnotevengetherheadthoughthedoorway；`andevenifmyheadwouldgothrough，’thoughtpoorAlice，`itwouldbeofverylittleusewithoutmyshoulders。Oh，howIwishIcouldshutuplikeatelescope!IthinkIcould，ifIonlyknowhowtobegin。’For，yousee，somanyout—of—the—waythingshadhappenedlately，thatAlicehadbeguntothinkthatveryfewthingsindeedwerereallyimpossible。
Thereseemedtobenouseinwaitingbythelittledoor，soshewentbacktothetable，halfhopingshemightfindanotherkeyonit，oratanyrateabookofrulesforshuttingpeopleupliketelescopes：thistimeshefoundalittlebottleonit，（`whichcertainlywasnotherebefore，’saidAlice，）androundtheneckofthebottlewasapaperlabel，withthewords`DRINKME’
beautifullyprintedonitinlargeletters。
Itwasallverywelltosay`Drinkme，’butthewiselittleAlicewasnotgoingtodoTHATinahurry。`No，I’lllookfirst，’shesaid，`andseewhetherit’smarked\"poison\"ornot’；
forshehadreadseveralnicelittlehistoriesaboutchildrenwhohadgotburnt，andeatenupbywildbeastsandotherunpleasantthings，allbecausetheyWOULDnotrememberthesimplerulestheirfriendshadtaughtthem：suchas，thatared—hotpokerwillburnyouifyouholdittoolong；andthatifyoucutyourfingerVERYdeeplywithaknife，itusuallybleeds；andshehadneverforgottenthat，ifyoudrinkmuchfromabottlemarked`poison，’itisalmostcertaintodisagreewithyou，soonerorlater。
However，thisbottlewasNOTmarked`poison，’soAliceventuredtotasteit，andfindingitverynice，（ithad，infact，asortofmixedflavourofcherry—tart，custard，pine—apple，roastturkey，toffee，andhotbutteredtoast，）sheverysoonfinisheditoff。
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`Whatacuriousfeeling!’saidAlice；`Imustbeshuttinguplikeatelescope。’
Andsoitwasindeed：shewasnowonlytenincheshigh，andherfacebrightenedupatthethoughtthatshewasnowtherightsizeforgoingthroughthelittledoorintothatlovelygarden。
First，however，shewaitedforafewminutestoseeifshewasgoingtoshrinkanyfurther：shefeltalittlenervousaboutthis；`foritmightend，youknow，’saidAlicetoherself，`inmygoingoutaltogether，likeacandle。IwonderwhatIshouldbelikethen？’Andshetriedtofancywhattheflameofacandleislikeafterthecandleisblownout，forshecouldnotremembereverhavingseensuchathing。
Afterawhile，findingthatnothingmorehappened，shedecidedongoingintothegardenatonce；but，alasforpoorAlice!
whenshegottothedoor，shefoundshehadforgottenthelittlegoldenkey，andwhenshewentbacktothetableforit，shefoundshecouldnotpossiblyreachit：shecouldseeitquiteplainlythroughtheglass，andshetriedherbesttoclimbuponeofthelegsofthetable，butitwastooslippery；
andwhenshehadtiredherselfoutwithtrying，thepoorlittlethingsatdownandcried。
`Come，there’snouseincryinglikethat!’saidAlicetoherself，rathersharply；`Iadviseyoutoleaveoffthisminute!’
Shegenerallygaveherselfverygoodadvice，（thoughsheveryseldomfollowedit），andsometimesshescoldedherselfsoseverelyastobringtearsintohereyes；andoncesherememberedtryingtoboxherownearsforhavingcheatedherselfinagameofcroquetshewasplayingagainstherself，forthiscuriouschildwasveryfondofpretendingtobetwopeople。`Butit’snousenow，’thoughtpoorAlice，`topretendtobetwopeople!Why，there’shardlyenoughofmelefttomakeONErespectableperson!’
Soonhereyefellonalittleglassboxthatwaslyingunderthetable：sheopenedit，andfoundinitaverysmallcake，onwhichthewords`EATME’werebeautifullymarkedincurrants。
`Well，I’lleatit，’saidAlice，`andifitmakesmegrowlarger，Icanreachthekey；andifitmakesmegrowsmaller，Icancreepunderthedoor；soeitherwayI’llgetintothegarden，andI
don’tcarewhichhappens!’
Sheatealittlebit，andsaidanxiouslytoherself，`Whichway？Whichway？’，holdingherhandonthetopofherheadtofeelwhichwayitwasgrowing，andshewasquitesurprisedtofindthatsheremainedthesamesize：tobesure，thisgenerallyhappenswhenoneeatscake，butAlicehadgotsomuchintothewayofexpectingnothingbutout—of—the—waythingstohappen，thatitseemedquitedullandstupidforlifetogooninthecommonway。
Soshesettowork，andverysoonfinishedoffthecake。
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CHAPTERII
ThePoolofTears`Curiouserandcuriouser!’criedAlice（shewassomuchsurprised，thatforthemomentshequiteforgothowtospeakgoodEnglish）；`nowI’mopeningoutlikethelargesttelescopethateverwas!Good—bye，feet!’（forwhenshelookeddownatherfeet，theyseemedtobealmostoutofsight，theyweregettingsofaroff）。`Oh，mypoorlittlefeet，Iwonderwhowillputonyourshoesandstockingsforyounow，dears？I’msure_I_shan’tbeable!Ishallbeagreatdealtoofarofftotroublemyselfaboutyou：youmustmanagethebestwayyoucan；——butImustbekindtothem，’thoughtAlice，`orperhapstheywon’twalkthewayIwanttogo!Letmesee：I’llgivethemanewpairofbootseveryChristmas。’
Andshewentonplanningtoherselfhowshewouldmanageit。
`Theymustgobythecarrier，’shethought；`andhowfunnyit’llseem，sendingpresentstoone’sownfeet!Andhowoddthedirectionswilllook!
ALICE’SRIGHTFOOT，ESQ。
HEARTHRUG，NEARTHEFENDER，（WITHALICE’SLOVE）。
Ohdear，whatnonsenseI’mtalking!’
Justthenherheadstruckagainsttheroofofthehall：infactshewasnowmorethanninefeethigh，andsheatoncetookupthelittlegoldenkeyandhurriedofftothegardendoor。
PoorAlice!Itwasasmuchasshecoulddo，lyingdownononeside，tolookthroughintothegardenwithoneeye；buttogetthroughwasmorehopelessthanever：shesatdownandbegantocryagain。
`Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，’saidAlice，`agreatgirllikeyou，’（shemightwellsaythis），`togooncryinginthisway!Stopthismoment，Itellyou!’Butshewentonallthesame，sheddinggallonsoftears，untiltherewasalargepoolallroundher，aboutfourinchesdeepandreachinghalfdownthehall。
Afteratimesheheardalittlepatteringoffeetinthedistance，andshehastilydriedhereyestoseewhatwascoming。
ItwastheWhiteRabbitreturning，splendidlydressed，withapairofwhitekidglovesinonehandandalargefanintheother：hecametrottingalonginagreathurry，mutteringtohimselfashecame，`Oh!theDuchess，theDuchess!Oh!won’tshebesavageifI’vekeptherwaiting!’Alicefeltsodesperatethatshewasreadytoaskhelpofanyone；so，whentheRabbitcamenearher，shebegan，inalow，timidvoice，`Ifyouplease，sir——’TheRabbitstartedviolently，droppedthewhitekidglovesandthefan，andskurriedawayintothedarknessashardashecouldgo。
Alicetookupthefanandgloves，and，asthehallwasveryhot，shekeptfanningherselfallthetimeshewentontalking：
`Dear，dear!Howqueereverythingisto—day!Andyesterdaythingswentonjustasusual。IwonderifI’vebeenchangedinthenight？Letmethink：wasIthesamewhenIgotupthismorning？IalmostthinkIcanrememberfeelingalittledifferent。ButifI’mnotthesame，thenextquestionis，WhointheworldamI？Ah，THAT’Sthegreatpuzzle!’Andshebeganthinkingoverallthechildrensheknewthatwereofthesameageasherself，toseeifshecouldhavebeenchangedforanyofthem。
`I’msureI’mnotAda，’shesaid，`forherhairgoesinsuchlongringlets，andminedoesn’tgoinringletsatall；andI’msureIcan’tbeMabel，forIknowallsortsofthings，andshe，oh!sheknowssuchaverylittle!Besides，SHE’Sshe，andI’mI，and——ohdear，howpuzzlingitallis!I’lltryifIknowallthethingsIusedtoknow。Letmesee：fourtimesfiveistwelve，andfourtimessixisthirteen，andfourtimessevenis——ohdear!
Ishallnevergettotwentyatthatrate!However，theMultiplicationTabledoesn’tsignify：let’stryGeography。
LondonisthecapitalofParis，andParisisthecapitalofRome，andRome——no，THAT’Sallwrong，I’mcertain!ImusthavebeenchangedforMabel!I’lltryandsay\"Howdoththelittle——\"’
andshecrossedherhandsonherlapasifsheweresayinglessons，andbegantorepeatit，buthervoicesoundedhoarseandstrange，andthewordsdidnotcomethesameastheyusedtodo：——
`HowdoththelittlecrocodileImprovehisshiningtail，AndpourthewatersoftheNileOneverygoldenscale!
`Howcheerfullyheseemstogrin，Howneatlyspreadhisclaws，AndwelcomelittlefishesinWithgentlysmilingjaws!’
`I’msurethosearenottherightwords，’saidpoorAlice，andhereyesfilledwithtearsagainasshewenton，`ImustbeMabelafterall，andIshallhavetogoandliveinthatpokylittlehouse，andhavenexttonotoystoplaywith，andoh!eversomanylessonstolearn!No，I’vemadeupmymindaboutit；ifI’mMabel，I’llstaydownhere!It’llbenousetheirputtingtheirheadsdownandsaying\"Comeupagain，dear!\"Ishallonlylookupandsay\"WhoamIthen？Tellmethatfirst，andthen，ifI
likebeingthatperson，I’llcomeup：ifnot，I’llstaydownheretillI’msomebodyelse\"——but，ohdear!’criedAlice，withasuddenburstoftears，`IdowishtheyWOULDputtheirheadsdown!IamsoVERYtiredofbeingallalonehere!’
Asshesaidthisshelookeddownatherhands，andwassurprisedtoseethatshehadputononeoftheRabbit’slittlewhitekidgloveswhileshewastalking。`HowCANIhavedonethat？’shethought。`Imustbegrowingsmallagain。’Shegotupandwenttothetabletomeasureherselfbyit，andfoundthat，asnearlyasshecouldguess，shewasnowabouttwofeethigh，andwasgoingonshrinkingrapidly：shesoonfoundoutthatthecauseofthiswasthefanshewasholding，andshedroppedithastily，justintimetoavoidshrinkingawayaltogether。
`ThatWASanarrowescape!’saidAlice，agooddealfrightenedatthesuddenchange，butverygladtofindherselfstillinexistence；`andnowforthegarden!’andsheranwithallspeedbacktothelittledoor：but，alas!thelittledoorwasshutagain，andthelittlegoldenkeywaslyingontheglasstableasbefore，`andthingsareworsethanever，’thoughtthepoorchild，`forIneverwassosmallasthisbefore，never!AndIdeclareit’stoobad，thatitis!’
Asshesaidthesewordsherfootslipped，andinanothermoment，splash!shewasuptoherchininsaltwater。Herfirstideawasthatshehadsomehowfallenintothesea，`andinthatcaseIcangobackbyrailway，’shesaidtoherself。（Alicehadbeentotheseasideonceinherlife，andhadcometothegeneralconclusion，thatwhereveryougotoontheEnglishcoastyoufindanumberofbathingmachinesinthesea，somechildrendigginginthesandwithwoodenspades，thenarowoflodginghouses，andbehindthemarailwaystation。）However，shesoonmadeoutthatshewasinthepooloftearswhichshehadweptwhenshewasninefeethigh。
`IwishIhadn’tcriedsomuch!’saidAlice，assheswamabout，tryingtofindherwayout。`Ishallbepunishedforitnow，I
suppose，bybeingdrownedinmyowntears!ThatWILLbeaqueerthing，tobesure!However，everythingisqueerto—day。’
Justthensheheardsomethingsplashingaboutinthepoolalittlewayoff，andsheswamnearertomakeoutwhatitwas：atfirstshethoughtitmustbeawalrusorhippopotamus，butthensherememberedhowsmallshewasnow，andshesoonmadeoutthatitwasonlyamousethathadslippedinlikeherself。
`Woulditbeofanyuse，now，’thoughtAlice，`tospeaktothismouse？Everythingissoout—of—the—waydownhere，thatIshouldthinkverylikelyitcantalk：atanyrate，there’snoharmintrying。’Soshebegan：`OMouse，doyouknowthewayoutofthispool？Iamverytiredofswimmingabouthere，OMouse!’
（Alicethoughtthismustbetherightwayofspeakingtoamouse：
shehadneverdonesuchathingbefore，butsherememberedhavingseeninherbrother’sLatinGrammar，`Amouse——ofamouse——toamouse——amouse——Omouse!’TheMouselookedatherratherinquisitively，andseemedtohertowinkwithoneofitslittleeyes，butitsaidnothing。
`Perhapsitdoesn’tunderstandEnglish，’thoughtAlice；`I
daresayit’saFrenchmouse，comeoverwithWilliamtheConqueror。’（For，withallherknowledgeofhistory，Alicehadnoveryclearnotionhowlongagoanythinghadhappened。）Soshebeganagain：`Ouestmachatte？’whichwasthefirstsentenceinherFrenchlesson—book。TheMousegaveasuddenleapoutofthewater，andseemedtoquiveralloverwithfright。`Oh，Ibegyourpardon!’criedAlicehastily，afraidthatshehadhurtthepooranimal’sfeelings。`Iquiteforgotyoudidn’tlikecats。’
`Notlikecats!’criedtheMouse，inashrill，passionatevoice。`WouldYOUlikecatsifyouwereme？’
`Well，perhapsnot，’saidAliceinasoothingtone：`don’tbeangryaboutit。AndyetIwishIcouldshowyouourcatDinah：
Ithinkyou’dtakeafancytocatsifyoucouldonlyseeher。
Sheissuchadearquietthing，’Alicewenton，halftoherself，assheswamlazilyaboutinthepool，`andshesitspurringsonicelybythefire，lickingherpawsandwashingherface——andsheissuchanicesoftthingtonurse——andshe’ssuchacapitaloneforcatchingmice——oh，Ibegyourpardon!’criedAliceagain，forthistimetheMousewasbristlingallover，andshefeltcertainitmustbereallyoffended。`Wewon’ttalkaboutheranymoreifyou’drathernot。’
`Weindeed!’criedtheMouse，whowastremblingdowntotheendofhistail。`AsifIwouldtalkonsuchasubject!OurfamilyalwaysHATEDcats：nasty，low，vulgarthings!Don’tletmehearthenameagain!’
`Iwon’tindeed!’saidAlice，inagreathurrytochangethesubjectofconversation。`Areyou——areyoufond——of——ofdogs？’
TheMousedidnotanswer，soAlicewentoneagerly：`ThereissuchanicelittledognearourhouseIshouldliketoshowyou!
Alittlebright—eyedterrier，youknow，withoh，suchlongcurlybrownhair!Andit’llfetchthingswhenyouthrowthem，andit’llsitupandbegforitsdinner，andallsortsofthings——I
can’trememberhalfofthem——anditbelongstoafarmer，youknow，andhesaysit’ssouseful，it’sworthahundredpounds!
Hesaysitkillsalltheratsand——ohdear!’criedAliceinasorrowfultone，`I’mafraidI’veoffendeditagain!’FortheMousewasswimmingawayfromherashardasitcouldgo，andmakingquiteacommotioninthepoolasitwent。
Soshecalledsoftlyafterit，`Mousedear!Docomebackagain，andwewon’ttalkaboutcatsordogseither，ifyoudon’tlikethem!’WhentheMouseheardthis，itturnedroundandswamslowlybacktoher：itsfacewasquitepale（withpassion，Alicethought），anditsaidinalowtremblingvoice，`Letusgettotheshore，andthenI’lltellyoumyhistory，andyou’llunderstandwhyitisIhatecatsanddogs。’
Itwashightimetogo，forthepoolwasgettingquitecrowdedwiththebirdsandanimalsthathadfallenintoit：therewereaDuckandaDodo，aLoryandanEaglet，andseveralothercuriouscreatures。Aliceledtheway，andthewholepartyswamtotheshore。
CHAPTERIII
ACaucus—RaceandaLongTaleTheywereindeedaqueer—lookingpartythatassembledonthebank——thebirdswithdraggledfeathers，theanimalswiththeirfurclingingclosetothem，andalldrippingwet，cross，anduncomfortable。
Thefirstquestionofcoursewas，howtogetdryagain：theyhadaconsultationaboutthis，andafterafewminutesitseemedquitenaturaltoAlicetofindherselftalkingfamiliarlywiththem，asifshehadknownthemallherlife。Indeed，shehadquitealongargumentwiththeLory，whoatlastturnedsulky，andwouldonlysay，`Iamolderthanyou，andmustknowbetter’；
andthisAlicewouldnotallowwithoutknowinghowolditwas，and，astheLorypositivelyrefusedtotellitsage，therewasnomoretobesaid。
AtlasttheMouse，whoseemedtobeapersonofauthorityamongthem，calledout，`Sitdown，allofyou，andlistentome!I’LL
soonmakeyoudryenough!’Theyallsatdownatonce，inalargering，withtheMouseinthemiddle。Alicekepthereyesanxiouslyfixedonit，forshefeltsureshewouldcatchabadcoldifshedidnotgetdryverysoon。
`Ahem!’saidtheMousewithanimportantair，`areyouallready？
ThisisthedriestthingIknow。Silenceallround，ifyouplease!
\"WilliamtheConqueror，whosecausewasfavouredbythepope，wassoonsubmittedtobytheEnglish，whowantedleaders，andhadbeenoflatemuchaccustomedtousurpationandconquest。EdwinandMorcar，theearlsofMerciaandNorthumbria——\"’
`Ugh!’saidtheLory，withashiver。
`Ibegyourpardon!’saidtheMouse，frowning，butverypolitely：`Didyouspeak？’
`NotI!’saidtheLoryhastily。
`Ithoughtyoudid，’saidtheMouse。`——Iproceed。\"EdwinandMorcar，theearlsofMerciaandNorthumbria，declaredforhim：
andevenStigand，thepatrioticarchbishopofCanterbury，founditadvisable——\"’
`FoundWHAT？’saidtheDuck。
`FoundIT，’theMouserepliedrathercrossly：`ofcourseyouknowwhat\"it\"means。’
`Iknowwhat\"it\"meanswellenough，whenIfindathing，’saidtheDuck：`it’sgenerallyafrogoraworm。Thequestionis，whatdidthearchbishopfind？’
TheMousedidnotnoticethisquestion，buthurriedlywenton，`\"——founditadvisabletogowithEdgarAthelingtomeetWilliamandofferhimthecrown。William’sconductatfirstwasmoderate。ButtheinsolenceofhisNormans——\"Howareyougettingonnow，mydear？’itcontinued，turningtoAliceasitspoke。
`Aswetasever，’saidAliceinamelancholytone：`itdoesn’tseemtodrymeatall。’
`Inthatcase，’saidtheDodosolemnly，risingtoitsfeet，`I
movethatthemeetingadjourn，fortheimmediateadoptionofmoreenergeticremedies——’
`SpeakEnglish!’saidtheEaglet。`Idon’tknowthemeaningofhalfthoselongwords，and，what’smore，Idon’tbelieveyoudoeither!’AndtheEagletbentdownitsheadtohideasmile：
someoftheotherbirdstitteredaudibly。
`WhatIwasgoingtosay，’saidtheDodoinanoffendedtone，`was，thatthebestthingtogetusdrywouldbeaCaucus—race。’
`WhatISaCaucus—race？’saidAlice；notthatshewantedmuchtoknow，buttheDodohadpausedasifitthoughtthatSOMEBODY
oughttospeak，andnooneelseseemedinclinedtosayanything。
`Why，’saidtheDodo，`thebestwaytoexplainitistodoit。’
（And，asyoumightliketotrythethingyourself，somewinterday，IwilltellyouhowtheDodomanagedit。）
Firstitmarkedoutarace—course，inasortofcircle，（`theexactshapedoesn’tmatter，’itsaid，）andthenallthepartywereplacedalongthecourse，hereandthere。Therewasno`One，two，three，andaway，’buttheybeganrunningwhentheyliked，andleftoffwhentheyliked，sothatitwasnoteasytoknowwhentheracewasover。However，whentheyhadbeenrunninghalfanhourorso，andwerequitedryagain，theDodosuddenlycalledout`Theraceisover!’andtheyallcrowdedroundit，panting，andasking，`Butwhohaswon？’
ThisquestiontheDodocouldnotanswerwithoutagreatdealofthought，anditsatforalongtimewithonefingerpresseduponitsforehead（thepositioninwhichyouusuallyseeShakespeare，inthepicturesofhim），whiletherestwaitedinsilence。AtlasttheDodosaid，`EVERYBODYhaswon，andallmusthaveprizes。’
`Butwhoistogivetheprizes？’quiteachorusofvoicesasked。
`Why，SHE，ofcourse，’saidtheDodo，pointingtoAlicewithonefinger；andthewholepartyatoncecrowdedroundher，callingoutinaconfusedway，`Prizes!Prizes!’
Alicehadnoideawhattodo，andindespairsheputherhandinherpocket，andpulledoutaboxofcomfits，（luckilythesaltwaterhadnotgotintoit），andhandedthemroundasprizes。
Therewasexactlyonea—pieceallround。
`Butshemusthaveaprizeherself，youknow，’saidtheMouse。
`Ofcourse，’theDodorepliedverygravely。`Whatelsehaveyougotinyourpocket？’hewenton，turningtoAlice。
`Onlyathimble，’saidAlicesadly。
`Handitoverhere，’saidtheDodo。
Thentheyallcrowdedroundheroncemore，whiletheDodosolemnlypresentedthethimble，saying`Webegyouracceptanceofthiselegantthimble’；and，whenithadfinishedthisshortspeech，theyallcheered。
Alicethoughtthewholethingveryabsurd，buttheyalllookedsogravethatshedidnotdaretolaugh；and，asshecouldnotthinkofanythingtosay，shesimplybowed，andtookthethimble，lookingassolemnasshecould。
Thenextthingwastoeatthecomfits：thiscausedsomenoiseandconfusion，asthelargebirdscomplainedthattheycouldnottastetheirs，andthesmalloneschokedandhadtobepattedontheback。However，itwasoveratlast，andtheysatdownagaininaring，andbeggedtheMousetotellthemsomethingmore。
`Youpromisedtotellmeyourhistory，youknow，’saidAlice，`andwhyitisyouhate——CandD，’sheaddedinawhisper，halfafraidthatitwouldbeoffendedagain。
`Mineisalongandasadtale!’saidtheMouse，turningtoAlice，andsighing。
`ItISalongtail，certainly，’saidAlice，lookingdownwithwonderattheMouse’stail；`butwhydoyoucallitsad？’AndshekeptonpuzzlingaboutitwhiletheMousewasspeaking，sothatherideaofthetalewassomethinglikethis：——
`Furysaidtoamouse，Thathemetinthehouse，\"Letusbothgotolaw：IwillprosecuteYOU。——Come，I’lltakenodenial；Wemusthaveatrial：ForreallythismorningI’venothingtodo。\"
Saidthemousetothecur，\"Suchatrial，dearSir，Withnojuryorjudge，wouldbewastingourbreath。\"
\"I’llbejudge，I’llbejury，\"
SaidcunningoldFury：
\"I’lltrythewholecause，andcondemnyoutodeath。\"’
`Youarenotattending!’saidtheMousetoAliceseverely。
`Whatareyouthinkingof？’
`Ibegyourpardon，’saidAliceveryhumbly：`youhadgottothefifthbend，Ithink？’
`IhadNOT!’criedtheMouse，sharplyandveryangrily。
`Aknot!’saidAlice，alwaysreadytomakeherselfuseful，andlookinganxiouslyabouther。`Oh，doletmehelptoundoit!’
`Ishalldonothingofthesort，’saidtheMouse，gettingupandwalkingaway。`Youinsultmebytalkingsuchnonsense!’
`Ididn’tmeanit!’pleadedpoorAlice。`Butyou’resoeasilyoffended，youknow!’
TheMouseonlygrowledinreply。
`Pleasecomebackandfinishyourstory!’Alicecalledafterit；andtheothersalljoinedinchorus，`Yes，pleasedo!’buttheMouseonlyshookitsheadimpatiently，andwalkedalittlequicker。
`Whatapityitwouldn’tstay!’sighedtheLory，assoonasitwasquiteoutofsight；andanoldCrabtooktheopportunityofsayingtoherdaughter`Ah，mydear!LetthisbealessontoyounevertoloseYOURtemper!’`Holdyourtongue，Ma!’saidtheyoungCrab，alittlesnappishly。`You’reenoughtotrythepatienceofanoyster!’
`IwishIhadourDinahhere，IknowIdo!’saidAlicealoud，addressingnobodyinparticular。`She’dsoonfetchitback!’
`AndwhoisDinah，ifImightventuretoaskthequestion？’
saidtheLory。
Alicerepliedeagerly，forshewasalwaysreadytotalkaboutherpet：`Dinah’sourcat。Andshe’ssuchacapitaloneforcatchingmiceyoucan’tthink!Andoh，Iwishyoucouldseeherafterthebirds!Why，she’lleatalittlebirdassoonaslookatit!’
Thisspeechcausedaremarkablesensationamongtheparty。
Someofthebirdshurriedoffatonce：oneoldMagpiebeganwrappingitselfupverycarefully，remarking，`Ireallymustbegettinghome；thenight—airdoesn’tsuitmythroat!’andaCanarycalledoutinatremblingvoicetoitschildren，`Comeaway，mydears!It’shightimeyouwereallinbed!’Onvariouspretextstheyallmovedoff，andAlicewassoonleftalone。
`IwishIhadn’tmentionedDinah!’shesaidtoherselfinamelancholytone。`Nobodyseemstolikeher，downhere，andI’msureshe’sthebestcatintheworld!Oh，mydearDinah!I
wonderifIshalleverseeyouanymore!’AndherepoorAlicebegantocryagain，forshefeltverylonelyandlow—spirited。
Inalittlewhile，however，sheagainheardalittlepatteringoffootstepsinthedistance，andshelookedupeagerly，halfhopingthattheMousehadchangedhismind，andwascomingbacktofinishhisstory。
CHAPTERIV
TheRabbitSendsinaLittleBillItwastheWhiteRabbit，trottingslowlybackagain，andlookinganxiouslyaboutasitwent，asifithadlostsomething；
andshehearditmutteringtoitself`TheDuchess!TheDuchess!
Ohmydearpaws!Ohmyfurandwhiskers!She’llgetmeexecuted，assureasferretsareferrets!WhereCANIhavedroppedthem，Iwonder？’Aliceguessedinamomentthatitwaslookingforthefanandthepairofwhitekidgloves，andsheverygood—naturedlybeganhuntingaboutforthem，buttheywerenowheretobeseen——everythingseemedtohavechangedsinceherswiminthepool，andthegreathall，withtheglasstableandthelittledoor，hadvanishedcompletely。
VerysoontheRabbitnoticedAlice，asshewenthuntingabout，andcalledouttoherinanangrytone，`Why，MaryAnn，whatARE
youdoingouthere？Runhomethismoment，andfetchmeapairofglovesandafan!Quick，now!’AndAlicewassomuchfrightenedthatsheranoffatonceinthedirectionitpointedto，withouttryingtoexplainthemistakeithadmade。
`Hetookmeforhishousemaid，’shesaidtoherselfassheran。
`Howsurprisedhe’llbewhenhefindsoutwhoIam!ButI’dbettertakehimhisfanandgloves——thatis，ifIcanfindthem。’
Asshesaidthis，shecameuponaneatlittlehouse，onthedoorofwhichwasabrightbrassplatewiththename`W。RABBIT’
engraveduponit。Shewentinwithoutknocking，andhurriedupstairs，ingreatfearlestsheshouldmeettherealMaryAnn，andbeturnedoutofthehousebeforeshehadfoundthefanandgloves。
`Howqueeritseems，’Alicesaidtoherself，`tobegoingmessagesforarabbit!IsupposeDinah’llbesendingmeonmessagesnext!’Andshebeganfancyingthesortofthingthatwouldhappen：`\"MissAlice!Comeheredirectly，andgetreadyforyourwalk!\"\"Cominginaminute，nurse!ButI’vegottoseethatthemousedoesn’tgetout。\"OnlyIdon’tthink，’Alicewenton，`thatthey’dletDinahstopinthehouseifitbeganorderingpeopleaboutlikethat!’
Bythistimeshehadfoundherwayintoatidylittleroomwithatableinthewindow，andonit（asshehadhoped）afanandtwoorthreepairsoftinywhitekidgloves：shetookupthefanandapairofthegloves，andwasjustgoingtoleavetheroom，whenhereyefelluponalittlebottlethatstoodnearthelooking—
glass。Therewasnolabelthistimewiththewords`DRINKME，’
butneverthelesssheuncorkeditandputittoherlips。`IknowSOMETHINGinterestingissuretohappen，’shesaidtoherself，`wheneverIeatordrinkanything；soI’lljustseewhatthisbottledoes。Idohopeit’llmakemegrowlargeagain，forreallyI’mquitetiredofbeingsuchatinylittlething!’
Itdidsoindeed，andmuchsoonerthanshehadexpected：
beforeshehaddrunkhalfthebottle，shefoundherheadpressingagainsttheceiling，andhadtostooptosaveherneckfrombeingbroken。Shehastilyputdownthebottle，sayingtoherself`That’squiteenough——IhopeIshan’tgrowanymore——Asitis，I
can’tgetoutatthedoor——IdowishIhadn’tdrunkquitesomuch!’
Alas!itwastoolatetowishthat!Shewentongrowing，andgrowing，andverysoonhadtokneeldownonthefloor：inanotherminutetherewasnotevenroomforthis，andshetriedtheeffectoflyingdownwithoneelbowagainstthedoor，andtheotherarmcurledroundherhead。Stillshewentongrowing，and，asalastresource，sheputonearmoutofthewindow，andonefootupthechimney，andsaidtoherself`NowIcandonomore，whateverhappens。WhatWILLbecomeofme？’
LuckilyforAlice，thelittlemagicbottlehadnowhaditsfulleffect，andshegrewnolarger：stillitwasveryuncomfortable，and，asthereseemedtobenosortofchanceofherevergettingoutoftheroomagain，nowondershefeltunhappy。
`Itwasmuchpleasanterathome，’thoughtpoorAlice，`whenonewasn’talwaysgrowinglargerandsmaller，andbeingorderedaboutbymiceandrabbits。IalmostwishIhadn’tgonedownthatrabbit—hole——andyet——andyet——it’srathercurious，youknow，thissortoflife!IdowonderwhatCANhavehappenedtome!
WhenIusedtoreadfairy—tales，Ifanciedthatkindofthingneverhappened，andnowhereIaminthemiddleofone!Thereoughttobeabookwrittenaboutme，thatthereought!AndwhenIgrowup，I’llwriteone——butI’mgrownupnow，’sheaddedinasorrowfultone；`atleastthere’snoroomtogrowupanymoreHERE。’
`Butthen，’thoughtAlice，`shallINEVERgetanyolderthanI
amnow？That’llbeacomfort，oneway——nevertobeanoldwoman——
butthen——alwaystohavelessonstolearn!Oh，Ishouldn’tlikeTHAT!’
`Oh，youfoolishAlice!’sheansweredherself。`Howcanyoulearnlessonsinhere？Why，there’shardlyroomforYOU，andnoroomatallforanylesson—books!’
Andsoshewenton，takingfirstonesideandthentheother，andmakingquiteaconversationofitaltogether；butafterafewminutessheheardavoiceoutside，andstoppedtolisten。
`MaryAnn!MaryAnn!’saidthevoice。`Fetchmemyglovesthismoment!’Thencamealittlepatteringoffeetonthestairs。AliceknewitwastheRabbitcomingtolookforher，andshetrembledtillsheshookthehouse，quiteforgettingthatshewasnowaboutathousandtimesaslargeastheRabbit，andhadnoreasontobeafraidofit。
PresentlytheRabbitcameuptothedoor，andtriedtoopenit；
but，asthedooropenedinwards，andAlice’selbowwaspressedhardagainstit，thatattemptprovedafailure。Alicehearditsaytoitself`ThenI’llgoroundandgetinatthewindow。’
`THATyouwon’t’thoughtAlice，and，afterwaitingtillshefanciedsheheardtheRabbitjustunderthewindow，shesuddenlyspreadoutherhand，andmadeasnatchintheair。Shedidnotgetholdofanything，butsheheardalittleshriekandafall，andacrashofbrokenglass，fromwhichsheconcludedthatitwasjustpossibleithadfallenintoacucumber—frame，orsomethingofthesort。
Nextcameanangryvoice——theRabbit’s——`Pat!Pat!Whereareyou？’Andthenavoiceshehadneverheardbefore，`SurethenI’mhere!Diggingforapples，yerhonour!’
`Diggingforapples，indeed!’saidtheRabbitangrily。`Here!
ComeandhelpmeoutofTHIS!’（Soundsofmorebrokenglass。）
`Nowtellme，Pat，what’sthatinthewindow？’
`Sure，it’sanarm，yerhonour!’（Hepronouncedit`arrum。’）
`Anarm，yougoose!Whoeversawonethatsize？Why，itfillsthewholewindow!’
`Sure，itdoes，yerhonour：butit’sanarmforallthat。’
`Well，it’sgotnobusinessthere，atanyrate：goandtakeitaway!’
Therewasalongsilenceafterthis，andAlicecouldonlyhearwhispersnowandthen；suchas，`Sure，Idon’tlikeit，yerhonour，atall，atall!’`DoasItellyou，youcoward!’andatlastshespreadoutherhandagain，andmadeanothersnatchintheair。ThistimetherewereTWOlittleshrieks，andmoresoundsofbrokenglass。`Whatanumberofcucumber—framestheremustbe!’thoughtAlice。`Iwonderwhatthey’lldonext!Asforpullingmeoutofthewindow，IonlywishtheyCOULD!I’msureI
don’twanttostayinhereanylonger!’
Shewaitedforsometimewithouthearinganythingmore：atlastcamearumblingoflittlecartwheels，andthesoundofagoodmanyvoicesalltalkingtogether：shemadeoutthewords：
`Where’stheotherladder？——Why，Ihadn’ttobringbutone；
Bill’sgottheother——Bill!fetchithere，lad!——Here，put’emupatthiscorner——No，tie’emtogetherfirst——theydon’treachhalfhighenoughyet——Oh!they’lldowellenough；don’tbeparticular——
Here，Bill!catchholdofthisrope——Willtheroofbear？——Mindthatlooseslate——Oh，it’scomingdown!Headsbelow!’（aloudcrash）——`Now，whodidthat？——ItwasBill，Ifancy——Who’stogodownthechimney？——Nay，Ishan’t!YOUdoit!——ThatIwon’t，then!——Bill’stogodown——Here，Bill!themastersaysyou’retogodownthechimney!’
`Oh!SoBill’sgottocomedownthechimney，hashe？’saidAlicetoherself。`Shy，theyseemtoputeverythinguponBill!
Iwouldn’tbeinBill’splaceforagooddeal：thisfireplaceisnarrow，tobesure；butITHINKIcankickalittle!’
Shedrewherfootasfardownthechimneyasshecould，andwaitedtillsheheardalittleanimal（shecouldn’tguessofwhatsortitwas）scratchingandscramblingaboutinthechimneycloseaboveher：then，sayingtoherself`ThisisBill，’shegaveonesharpkick，andwaitedtoseewhatwouldhappennext。
Thefirstthingsheheardwasageneralchorusof`TheregoesBill!’thentheRabbit’svoicealong——`Catchhim，youbythehedge!’thensilence，andthenanotherconfusionofvoices——`Holduphishead——Brandynow——Don’tchokehim——Howwasit，oldfellow？
Whathappenedtoyou？Tellusallaboutit!’
Lastcamealittlefeeble，squeakingvoice，（`That’sBill，’
thoughtAlice，）`Well，Ihardlyknow——Nomore，thankye；I’mbetternow——butI’madealtooflusteredtotellyou——allIknowis，somethingcomesatmelikeaJack—in—the—box，andupIgoeslikeasky—rocket!’
`Soyoudid，oldfellow!’saidtheothers。
`Wemustburnthehousedown!’saidtheRabbit’svoice；andAlicecalledoutasloudasshecould，`Ifyoudo。I’llsetDinahatyou!’
Therewasadeadsilenceinstantly，andAlicethoughttoherself，`IwonderwhattheyWILLdonext!Iftheyhadanysense，they’dtaketheroofoff。’Afteraminuteortwo，theybeganmovingaboutagain，andAliceheardtheRabbitsay，`A
barrowfulwilldo，tobeginwith。’
`AbarrowfulofWHAT？’thoughtAlice；butshehadnotlongtodoubt，forthenextmomentashoweroflittlepebblescamerattlinginatthewindow，andsomeofthemhitherintheface。
`I’llputastoptothis，’shesaidtoherself，andshoutedout，`You’dbetternotdothatagain!’whichproducedanotherdeadsilence。
Alicenoticedwithsomesurprisethatthepebbleswereallturningintolittlecakesastheylayonthefloor，andabrightideacameintoherhead。`IfIeatoneofthesecakes，’shethought，`it’ssuretomakeSOMEchangeinmysize；andasitcan’tpossiblymakemelarger，itmustmakemesmaller，I
suppose。’
Sosheswallowedoneofthecakes，andwasdelightedtofindthatshebeganshrinkingdirectly。Assoonasshewassmallenoughtogetthroughthedoor，sheranoutofthehouse，andfoundquiteacrowdoflittleanimalsandbirdswaitingoutside。
ThepoorlittleLizard，Bill，wasinthemiddle，beingheldupbytwoguinea—pigs，whoweregivingitsomethingoutofabottle。
TheyallmadearushatAlicethemomentsheappeared；butsheranoffashardasshecould，andsoonfoundherselfsafeinathickwood。
`ThefirstthingI’vegottodo，’saidAlicetoherself，asshewanderedaboutinthewood，`istogrowtomyrightsizeagain；
andthesecondthingistofindmywayintothatlovelygarden。
Ithinkthatwillbethebestplan。’
Itsoundedanexcellentplan，nodoubt，andveryneatlyandsimplyarranged；theonlydifficultywas，thatshehadnotthesmallestideahowtosetaboutit；andwhileshewaspeeringaboutanxiouslyamongthetrees，alittlesharpbarkjustoverherheadmadeherlookupinagreathurry。
Anenormouspuppywaslookingdownatherwithlargeroundeyes，andfeeblystretchingoutonepaw，tryingtotouchher。
`Poorlittlething!’saidAlice，inacoaxingtone，andshetriedhardtowhistletoit；butshewasterriblyfrightenedallthetimeatthethoughtthatitmightbehungry，inwhichcaseitwouldbeverylikelytoeatherupinspiteofallhercoaxing。
Hardlyknowingwhatshedid，shepickedupalittlebitofstick，andhelditouttothepuppy；whereuponthepuppyjumpedintotheairoffallitsfeetatonce，withayelpofdelight，andrushedatthestick，andmadebelievetoworryit；thenAlicedodgedbehindagreatthistle，tokeepherselffrombeingrunover；andthemomentsheappearedontheotherside，thepuppymadeanotherrushatthestick，andtumbledheadoverheelsinitshurrytogetholdofit；thenAlice，thinkingitwasverylikehavingagameofplaywithacart—horse，andexpectingeverymomenttobetrampledunderitsfeet，ranroundthethistleagain；thenthepuppybeganaseriesofshortchargesatthestick，runningaverylittlewayforwardseachtimeandalongwayback，andbarkinghoarselyallthewhile，tillatlastitsatdownagoodwayoff，panting，withitstonguehangingoutofitsmouth，anditsgreateyeshalfshut。
ThisseemedtoAliceagoodopportunityformakingherescape；
soshesetoffatonce，andrantillshewasquitetiredandoutofbreath，andtillthepuppy’sbarksoundedquitefaintinthedistance。
`Andyetwhatadearlittlepuppyitwas!’saidAlice，assheleantagainstabuttercuptorestherself，andfannedherselfwithoneoftheleaves：`Ishouldhavelikedteachingittricksverymuch，if——ifI’donlybeentherightsizetodoit!Ohdear!I’dnearlyforgottenthatI’vegottogrowupagain!Letmesee——howISittobemanaged？IsupposeIoughttoeatordrinksomethingorother；butthegreatquestionis，what？’
Thegreatquestioncertainlywas，what？Alicelookedallroundherattheflowersandthebladesofgrass，butshedidnotseeanythingthatlookedliketherightthingtoeatordrinkunderthecircumstances。Therewasalargemushroomgrowingnearher，aboutthesameheightasherself；andwhenshehadlookedunderit，andonbothsidesofit，andbehindit，itoccurredtoherthatshemightaswelllookandseewhatwasonthetopofit。
Shestretchedherselfupontiptoe，andpeepedovertheedgeofthemushroom，andhereyesimmediatelymetthoseofalargecaterpillar，thatwassittingonthetopwithitsarmsfolded，quietlysmokingalonghookah，andtakingnotthesmallestnoticeofherorofanythingelse。
CHAPTERV
AdvicefromaCaterpillarTheCaterpillarandAlicelookedateachotherforsometimeinsilence：atlasttheCaterpillartookthehookahoutofitsmouth，andaddressedherinalanguid，sleepyvoice。
`WhoareYOU？’saidtheCaterpillar。
Thiswasnotanencouragingopeningforaconversation。Alicereplied，rathershyly，`I——Ihardlyknow，sir，justatpresent——
atleastIknowwhoIWASwhenIgotupthismorning，butIthinkImusthavebeenchangedseveraltimessincethen。’
`Whatdoyoumeanbythat？’saidtheCaterpillarsternly。
`Explainyourself!’
`Ican’texplainMYSELF，I’mafraid，sir’saidAlice，`becauseI’mnotmyself，yousee。’
`Idon’tsee，’saidtheCaterpillar。
`I’mafraidIcan’tputitmoreclearly，’Alicerepliedverypolitely，`forIcan’tunderstanditmyselftobeginwith；andbeingsomanydifferentsizesinadayisveryconfusing。’
`Itisn’t，’saidtheCaterpillar。
`Well，perhapsyouhaven’tfounditsoyet，’saidAlice；`butwhenyouhavetoturnintoachrysalis——youwillsomeday，youknow——andthenafterthatintoabutterfly，Ishouldthinkyou’llfeelitalittlequeer，won’tyou？’
`Notabit，’saidtheCaterpillar。
`Well，perhapsyourfeelingsmaybedifferent，’saidAlice；
`allIknowis，itwouldfeelveryqueertoME。’
`You!’saidtheCaterpillarcontemptuously。`WhoareYOU？’
Whichbroughtthembackagaintothebeginningoftheconversation。AlicefeltalittleirritatedattheCaterpillar’smakingsuchVERYshortremarks，andshedrewherselfupandsaid，verygravely，`Ithink，yououghttotellmewhoYOUare，first。’
`Why？’saidtheCaterpillar。
Herewasanotherpuzzlingquestion；andasAlicecouldnotthinkofanygoodreason，andastheCaterpillarseemedtobeinaVERYunpleasantstateofmind，sheturnedaway。
`Comeback!’theCaterpillarcalledafterher。`I’vesomethingimportanttosay!’
Thissoundedpromising，certainly：Aliceturnedandcamebackagain。
`Keepyourtemper，’saidtheCaterpillar。
`Isthatall？’saidAlice，swallowingdownherangeraswellasshecould。
`No，’saidtheCaterpillar。
Alicethoughtshemightaswellwait，asshehadnothingelsetodo，andperhapsafterallitmighttellhersomethingworthhearing。Forsomeminutesitpuffedawaywithoutspeaking，butatlastitunfoldeditsarms，tookthehookahoutofitsmouthagain，andsaid，`Soyouthinkyou’rechanged，doyou？’
`I’mafraidIam，sir，’saidAlice；`Ican’trememberthingsasIused——andIdon’tkeepthesamesizefortenminutestogether!’
`Can’trememberWHATthings？’saidtheCaterpillar。
`Well，I’vetriedtosay\"HOWDOTHTHELITTLEBUSYBEE，\"butitallcamedifferent!’Alicerepliedinaverymelancholyvoice。
`Repeat，\"YOUAREOLD，FATHERWILLIAM，\"’saidtheCaterpillar。
Alicefoldedherhands，andbegan：——
`Youareold，FatherWilliam，’theyoungmansaid，`Andyourhairhasbecomeverywhite；
Andyetyouincessantlystandonyourhead——
Doyouthink，atyourage，itisright？’
`Inmyyouth，’FatherWilliamrepliedtohisson，`Ifeareditmightinjurethebrain；
But，nowthatI’mperfectlysureIhavenone，Why，Idoitagainandagain。’
`Youareold，’saidtheyouth，`asImentionedbefore，Andhavegrownmostuncommonlyfat；
Yetyouturnedaback—somersaultinatthedoor——
Pray，whatisthereasonofthat？’
`Inmyyouth，’saidthesage，asheshookhisgreylocks，`IkeptallmylimbsverysuppleBytheuseofthisointment——oneshillingthebox——
Allowmetosellyouacouple？’
`Youareold，’saidtheyouth，`andyourjawsaretooweakForanythingtougherthansuet；
Yetyoufinishedthegoose，withthebonesandthebeak——
Prayhowdidyoumanagetodoit？’
`Inmyyouth，’saidhisfather，`Itooktothelaw，Andarguedeachcasewithmywife；
Andthemuscularstrength，whichitgavetomyjaw，Haslastedtherestofmylife。’
`Youareold，’saidtheyouth，`onewouldhardlysupposeThatyoureyewasassteadyasever；
Yetyoubalancedaneelontheendofyournose——
Whatmadeyousoawfullyclever？’
`Ihaveansweredthreequestions，andthatisenough，’
Saidhisfather；`don’tgiveyourselfairs!
DoyouthinkIcanlistenalldaytosuchstuff？
Beoff，orI’llkickyoudownstairs!’
`Thatisnotsaidright，’saidtheCaterpillar。
`NotQUITEright，I’mafraid，’saidAlice，timidly；`someofthewordshavegotaltered。’
`Itiswrongfrombeginningtoend，’saidtheCaterpillardecidedly，andtherewassilenceforsomeminutes。
TheCaterpillarwasthefirsttospeak。
`Whatsizedoyouwanttobe？’itasked。
`Oh，I’mnotparticularastosize，’Alicehastilyreplied；
`onlyonedoesn’tlikechangingsooften，youknow。’
`IDON’Tknow，’saidtheCaterpillar。
Alicesaidnothing：shehadneverbeensomuchcontradictedinherlifebefore，andshefeltthatshewaslosinghertemper。
`Areyoucontentnow？’saidtheCaterpillar。
`Well，IshouldliketobeaLITTLElarger，sir，ifyouwouldn’tmind，’saidAlice：`threeinchesissuchawretchedheighttobe。’
`Itisaverygoodheightindeed!’saidtheCaterpillarangrily，rearingitselfuprightasitspoke（itwasexactlythreeincheshigh）。
`ButI’mnotusedtoit!’pleadedpoorAliceinapiteoustone。
