The Duchess talks to Alice

Chapter Fourteen

THE DUCHESS TALKS TO ALICE

Now the Duchess noticed Alice and went up to her. “I am so glad to see you again, my dear,” she said. Then she put her hand on Alice’s arm and they walked away together.

“She is very nice today,” thought Alice. “I am very glad she is not angry with me now. I am sure that she was angry that time[1] in the kitchen only because there was too much pepper in the soup and in the air. She was sneezing all the time. And it made her angry. In my kitchen there will be no pepper[2]. I am sure that pepper makes people angry, and sugar and sweets make them nice and happy. People must give children more sweets and sugar! Then everybody will be nice to each other and everybody will be happy.” Alice thought about those things so long that she forgot all about the Duchess. Suddenly she heard the voice of the Duchess.

The Duchess was saying into her ear: “What are you thinking about? Why don’t you talk to me?”

And the Duchess put her chin on Alice’s shoulder.

Alice did not like it because the Duchess had a very sharp chin. But you know that Alice was a very polite child, so she said nothing about it.

“My dear child,” said the Duchess, “shall I put my arms around you and give you a kiss?”

“You mustn’t do it,” said Alice quickly. “My flamingo bites.”

“Then I shall not do it,” said the Duchess. In a moment she said again: “I want to make you a present. I’ll make you a present of everything I say[3].”

“A very silly present,” said Alice to herself. “I’m glad I don’t get birthday presents like that![4]”

“Oh, my dear,” said the Duchess and put her sharp chin on Alice’s shoulder, “you are again thinking!”

“I have a right to think,” said Alice. She was getting angry with the Duchess.

“Becau...” began the Duchess and stopped in the middle of the word. Alice looked up and saw the Queen in front of them. The Queen was looking at the Duchess like an angry dog.

“A nice day, your majesty,” began the Duchess.

“Be off at once, or your head will be off[5],” shouted the Queen.

The Duchess was frightened and ran off at once.

“Let’s go on with the game,” said the Queen to Alice. Alice was afraid to say “no” to the Queen.

So the Queen and Alice went back. When they came to the croquet-ground, the players were resting. But when they saw the Queen they jumped to their feet. The Queen looked at them angrily and said:

“Let’s begin at once or I shall tell the soldiers to cut off your heads.”

The players began to play at once.

Every minute the Queen shouted: “Off with his head,” or “Off with her head!”

The soldiers took the players away and by the end of an hour[6] only the King, the Queen and Alice stayed on the croquet-ground.

Suddenly they heard a cry:

“The trial is beginning.”

“Let’s go to the courtroom,” said the Queen,

“it is time to begin the trial.”

“What trial is it?” asked Alice.

But the Queen only answered: “The Knave of Hearts tried to steal my tarts.”

Then the King and the Queen walked off and Alice started after them.

[1] that time — в тот раз

[2] In my kitchen there will be no pepper. — В моей кухне не будет перца.

[3] I’ll (I shall) make you a present of everything I say. — Я преподношу тебе в подарок все те слова (букв, все), что я говорю.

[4] I’m glad I don’t get birthday presents like that! — Я рада, что не получаю подобных подарков ко дню рождения!

[5] Be off at once or your head will be off — Убирайся тотчас же, а не то твоя голова слетит прочь

[6] by the end of an hour [аиэ] — не прошло и часа (букв, к концу часа)

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