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136 THE MOCK
“A fine day, your Majesty!” the Duchess
began in a low, weak voice.
“Now, | give you fair warning,” shouted the
Queen, stamping on the ground as she spoke ;
“either you or your head must be off, and that
in about half no time! Take your choice!”
The Duchess took her choice, and was gone
in a moment.
“Let's go on with the game,” the Queen
said to Alice; and Alice was too much frightened
to say a word, but any followed her back to
the croquet-ground.
I'he other guests had taken advantage of
the Queen’s absence, and were resting in the
shade: however, the moment they saw her, they
hurried back to the game, the Queen merely
remarking that a moments delay would cost
them their lives.
All the time they were playing the Queen
never left off quarrelling with the other players,
and shouting " Off with his head!” or “Off
with her head!” Those whom she sentenced