You must excuse her. She means well, but she can't help saying foolish things, as a general rule. She never was really well brought up, but it's amazing how good tempered she is! Pat her on the head, and see how pleased she'll be! A little kindness and putting her hair in papers would do wonders with her. WHITE QUEEN [_Gives a deep sigh and leans her head on ALICE'S shoulder._] I _am_ so sleepy! RED QUEEN She's tired, poor thing; smooth her hair--lend her your night cap--and sing her a soothing lullaby. ALICE I haven't got a night cap with me, and I don't know any soothing lullabies. RED QUEEN I must do it myself, then. [Illustration: ALICE: Do wake up, you heavy things!] Hush-a-by lady, in Alice's lap! Till the feast's ready, we've time for a nap; When the feast's over, we'll go to the ball-- Red Queen and White Queen and Alice and all! And now you know the words. [_She puts her head on ALICE'S other shoulder._] Just sing it through to _me_. I'm getting sleepy too. [_Both queens fall fast asleep and snore loudly._] ALICE What _am_ I to do? Take care of two Queens asleep at once? Do wake up, you heavy things! [_All lights go out, leaving a mysterious glow on ALICE and the queens._] WHITE RABBIT [_Blows trumpet off stage._] The trial's beginning! ALICE What trial is it? WHITE RABBIT Who stole the tarts. ALICE I ate a tart. WHITE RABBIT You've got to be tried. ALICE I don't want to be tried. WHITE RABBIT You've got to be tried. ALICE I won't be tried--I won't-I won't! SCENE TWO _Is a court room suggesting playing cards. The jurymen are all kinds of creatures. The KING and QUEEN OF HEARTS are seated on the throne. The KNAVE is before them in chains. The WHITE RABBIT has a trumpet in one hand, and a scroll of parchment in the other. In the middle of the court stands a table with a large dish of tarts upon it._ WHITE RABBIT [_Blows three blasts on his trumpet._] Silence in the court! ALICE [_Watches jurymen writing busily on their slates._] What are they doing? They can't have anything to put down yet, before the trial's begun. KNAVE They're putting down their names for fear they should forget them before the end of the trial. ALICE Stupid things! WHITE RABBIT Silence in the court! JURORS [_Write in chorus._] Stupid things! ONE JUROR How do you spell stupid? ALICE A nice muddle their slates will be in before the trial's over. QUEEN There's a pencil squeaking. Cut it down! JURORS [_In chorus as they write._] Squeaking-- KING [_Wears a crown over his wig; puts on his spectacles as he says._] Herald, read the accusation! [Illustration] WHITE RABBIT [_Blows three blasts on his trumpet, unrolls parchment scroll and reads to music._] The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, All on a summer day; The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts, And took them quite away! KING Consider your verdict! WHITE RABBIT