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。