Read Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland Online

41

CHAPTER VII. A MAD TEA-PARTY 


Alice felt dreadfully puzzled. The Hatter's remark seemed to have no sort of 
meaning in it and yet it was certainly English. T don't quite understand you,' she 
said, as politely as she could. 

'The Dormouse is asleep again,' said the Hatter, and he poured a little hot tea 
upon its nose. 

The Dormouse shook its head impatiently, and said, without opening its eyes, 
'Of course, of course; just what I was going to remark myself.' 

'Have you guessed the riddle yet?' the Hatter said, turning to Alice again. 

'No, I give it up,' Alice replied, 'what's the answer?' 

T haven't the slightest idea,' said the Hatter. 

'Nor I,' said the March Hare. 

Alice sighed wearily. T think you might do something better with the time,' 
she said, 'than waste it in asking riddles that have no answers.' 

'If you knew Time as well as I do,' said the Hatter, 'you wouldn't talk about 
wasting it. It's him' 

T don't know what you mean,' said Alice. 

'Of course you don't!' the Hatter said, tossing his head contemptuously, 
T dare say you never even spoke to Time!' 

'Perhaps not,' Alice cautiously replied, 'but I know I have to beat time when 
I learn music' 

Ah! that accounts for it,' said 
the Hatter, 'He won't stand beating. 
Now, if you only kept on good terms 
with him, he'd do almost anything 
you liked with the clock. For instance, 
suppose it were nine o'clock in the 
morning, just time to begin lessons; 
you'd only have to whisper a hint to 
Time, and round goes the clock in 
a twinkling! Half-past one, time for 
dinner!' 

(T only wish it was,' the March 
Hare said to itself in a whisper.) 

'That would be grand, certainly,' 
said Alice thoughtfully, 'but then - 
I shouldn't be hungry for it, you 
know.' 

'Not at first, perhaps,' said the 
Hatter, 'but you could keep it to half-past one as long as you liked.' 

'Is that the way you manage?' Alice asked.