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CHAPTER IV. THE RABBIT SENDS IN A LITTLE BILL
you coward!' and at last she spread out her hand again and made another snatch
in the air. This time there were two little shrieks and more sounds of broken glass.
'What a number of cucumber-frames there must be!' thought Alice, T wonder
what they'll do next! As for pulling me out of the window, I only wish they
couldl I'm sure I don't want to stay in here any longer!'
She waited for some time without hearing anything more; at last came a rum-
bling of little cartwheels and the sound of a good many voices all talking together;
she made out the words: 'Where's the other ladder? - Why, I hadn't to bring but
one; Bill's got the other - Bill! fetch it here, lad! - Here, put 'em up at this corner -
No, tie 'em together first - they don't reach half high enough yet - Oh! they'll do
well enough; don't be particular - Here, Bill! catch hold of this rope - Will the
roof bear? - Mind that loose slate - Oh, it's coming down! Heads below!' (a loud
crash) 'Now, who did that? - It was Bill, I fancy - Who's to go down the chim-
ney? - Nay, I shan't! you do it! - That I won't, then! - Bill's to go down - Here,
Bill! the master says you're to go down the chimney!'
'Oh! So Bill's got to come down the chimney, has
he?' said Alice to herself, 'Shy, they seem to put every-
thing upon Bill! I wouldn't be in Bill's place for a good
deal: this fireplace is narrow, to be sure; but I think I can
kick a little!'
She drew her foot as far down the chimney as she
could and waited till she heard a little animal (she
couldn't guess of what sort it was) scratching and
scrambling about in the chimney close above her; then,
saying to herself, 'This is Bill,' she gave one sharp kick
and waited to see what would happen next.
The first thing she heard was a general chorus of
'There goes Bill!' then the Rabbit's voice along -
'Catch him, you by the hedge!'; then silence, and then
another confusion of voices - 'Hold up his head - Bran-
dy now - Don't choke him - How was it, old fellow?
What happened to you? Tell us all about it!'
Last came a little feeble, squeaking voice, ('That's
Bill,' thought Alice,) 'Well, I hardly know - No more,
thank ye; I'm better now - but I'm a deal too flustered
to tell you - all I know is, something comes at me like
a Jack-in-the-box, and up I goes like a sky-rocket!'
'So you did, old fellow!' said the others.
'We must burn the house down!' said the Rabbit's voice; and Alice called out
as loud as she could, 'If you do I'll set Dinah at you!'
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