Through the Looking Glass

Oh, oh!” As she said the words the brooch flew open, and the Queen clutched wildly at it, and tried to clasp it again.

“Take care!” cried Alice. “You're holding it all crooked!” And she caught at the brooch; but it was too late: the pin had slipped, and the Queen had pricked her finger.

“That accounts for the bleeding, you see,” she said to Alice with a smile. “Now you understand the way things happen here.”

“But why don't you scream now?” Alice asked, holding her hands ready to put over her ears again.

“Why, I've done all the screaming already,” said the Queen. “What would be the good of having it all over again?”

By this time it was getting light. “The crow must have flown away, I think,” said Alice: “I'm so glad it's gone. I thought it was the night coming on.”

“I wish I could manage to be glad!” the Queen said. “Only I never can remember the rule. You must be very happy, living in this wood, and being glad whenever you like!”

“Only it is so VERY lonely here!” Alice said in a melancholy voice; and at the thought of her loneliness two large tears came rolling down her cheeks.

“Oh, don't go on like that!” cried the poor Queen, wringing her hands in despair. “Consider what a great girl you are. Consider what a long way you've come to-day. Consider what o'clock it is. Consider anything, only don't cry!”

Alice could not help laughing at this, even in the midst of her tears. “Can YOU keep from crying by considering things?” she asked.

“That's the way it's done,” the Queen said with great decision: “nobody can do two things at once, you know. Let's consider your age to begin with—how old are you?”

“I'm seven and a half exactly.”

“You needn't say “exactually,” the Queen remarked: “I can believe it without that. Now I'll give YOU something to believe. I'm just one hundred and one, five months and a day.”

“I can't believe THAT!” said Alice.

“Can't you?” the Queen said in a pitying tone. “Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.”

Alice laughed. “There's no use trying,” she said: “one CAN'T believe impossible things.