CHAPTER VIII

The Queen's Croquet-Ground

A large rose-tree stood near the entrance of the garden: the

roses growing on it were white, but there were three gardeners at

it, busily painting them red. Alice thought this a very curious

thing, and she went nearer to watch them, and just as she came up

to them she heard one of them say, `Look out now, Five! Don't go

splashing paint over me like that!'

`I couldn't help it,' said Five, in a sulky tone; `Seven jogged

my elbow.'

On which Seven looked up and said, `That's right, Five! Always

lay the blame on others!'

`YOU'D better not talk!' said Five. `I heard the Queen say only

yesterday you deserved to be beheaded!'

`What for?' said the one who had spoken first.

`That's none of YOUR business, Two!' said Seven.

`Yes, it IS his business!' said Five, `and I'll tell him--it was for

bringing the cook tulip-roots instead of onions.'

Seven flung down his brush, and had just begun `Well, of all

the unjust things--' when his eye chanced to fall upon Alice, as

she stood watching them, and he checked himself suddenly: the

others looked round also, and all of them bowed low.

`Would you tell me,' said Alice, a little timidly, `why you are

painting those roses?'

Five and Seven said nothing, but looked at Two. Two began in a

low voice, `Why the fact is, you see, Miss, this here ought to have

been a RED rose-tree, and we put a white one in by mistake;

and if the Queen was to find it out, we should all have our heads

cut off, you know. So you see, Miss, we're doing our best, afore

she comes, to--' At this moment Five, who had been anxiously

looking across the garden, called out `The Queen! The Queen!'

and the three gardeners instantly threw themselves flat upon