Stranica 132 [132]
116 THE QUEEN'S
When the procession came opposite to Alice,
they all stopped and looked at her, and the
Queen said severely “ Who is this?” She said
it to the Knave of Hearts, who only bowed and
smiled ir reply.
“Tdiot!” said the Queen, tossing her head
impatiently ; and, turning to Alice, she went on,
“What’s your name, child?"
“My name is Alice, so please your Majesty,”
said Alice very politely; but she added, to her¬
self, " Why, theyre only a pack of cards, after
all. J needn't be afraid of them!”
‘And who are these?” said the Queen, point¬
ing to the three gardeners who were lying
round the rose-tree; for you see, as they were
lying on their faces, and the pattern on their
backs was the same as the rest of the pack,
she could not tell whether they were gardeners,
or soldiers, or courtiers, or three of her own
children.
“How should J know?” said Alice, surprised
at her own courage. ‘It’s no business of mine.”