Lewis Carroll: Through the Looking Glass

CHAPTER 9: Queen Alice (continued)

`I don't know what you mean,' she said.

`I talks English, doesn't I?' the Frog went on. `Or are you deaf? What did it ask you?'

`Nothing!' Alice said impatiently. `I've been knocking at it!'

`Shouldn't do that--shouldn't do that--' the Frog muttered. `Vexes it, you know.' Then he went up and gave the door a kick with one of his great feet. `You let IT alone,' he panted out, as he hobbled back to his tree, `and it'll let YOU alone, you know.'

At this moment the door was flung open, and a shrill voice was heard singing:

    `To the Looking-Glass world it was Alice that said,
     "I've a sceptre in hand, I've a crown on my head;
     Let the Looking-Glass creatures, whatever they be,
     Come and dine with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me."'

And hundreds of voices joined in the chorus:

    `Then fill up the glasses as quick as you can,
     And sprinkle the table with buttons and bran:
     Put cats in the coffee, and mice in the tea--
     And welcome Queen Alice with thirty-times-three!'

Then followed a confused noise of cheering, and Alice thought to herself, `Thirty times three makes ninety. I wonder if any one's counting?' In a minute there was silence again, and the same shrill voice sang another verse;

    `"O Looking-Glass creatures," quothe Alice, "draw near!
     'Tis an honour to see me, a favour to hear:
     'Tis a privilege high to have dinner and tea
     Along with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!"'

Then came the chorus again: --

    `Then fill up the glasses with treacle and ink,
     Or anything else that is pleasant to drink:
     Mix sand with the cider, and wool with the wine--
     And welcome Queen Alice with ninety-times-nine!'