The Queen’s Croquet Ground

           Alargerose-treestoodneartheentranceofthegarden: therosesgrowingonitwerewhite,buttherewerethreegardenersatit,busilypaintingthemred. Alicethoughtthisaverycuriousthing,andshewentnearertowatchthem,and,justasshecameuptothem, sheheardoneofthemsay"Lookoutnow,Five!Don’tgosplashingpaintovermelikethat!" 

           "Icouldn’thelpit,"saidFive,inasulkytone. "Sevenjoggedmyelbow." 

           OnwhichSevenlookedupandsaid"That’sright,Five! Alwayslaytheblameonothers!" 

           "You’dbetternottalk! "saidFive. "IheardtheQueensayonlyyesterdayyoudeservedtobebeheaded." 

           "Whatfor? "saidtheonewhohadspokenfirst. 

           "That’snoneofyourbusiness,Two! "saidSeven. 

           "Yes,itishisbusiness! "saidFive. "AndI’lltellhim—itwasforbringingthecooktulip-rootsinsteadofonions." 

           Sevenflungdownhisbrush,andhadjustbegun "Well,ofalltheunjustthings——" whenhiseyechancedtofalluponAlice,asshestoodwatchingthem,andhecheckedhimselfsuddenly: theotherslookedroundalso,andallofthembowedlow. 

           "Wouldyoutellme,please,"saidAlice,alittletimidly,"whyyouarepaintingthoseroses?" 

           FiveandSevensaidnothing,butlookedatTwo.