`Humpty Dumpty saw it too,' the White Queen went on in a low voice, more as if she were talking to herself. `He came to the door with a corkscrew in his hand--'

`What did he want?' said the Red Queen.

`He said he would come in,' the White Queen went on, `because he was looking for a hippopotamus. Now, as it happened, there wasn't such a thing in the house, that morning.'

`Is there generally?' Alice asked in an astonished tone.

`Well, only on Thursdays,' said the Queen.

`I know what he came for,' said Alice: `he wanted to punish the fish, because--'

Here the White Queen began again. `It was such a thunderstorm, you ca'n't think!' (`She never could, you know,' said the Red Queen.) `And part of the roof came off, and ever so much thunder got in--and it went rolling round the room in great lumps--and knocking over the tables and things--till I was so frightened, I couldn't remember my own name!'

Alice thought to herself `I never should try to remember my name in the middle of an accident! Where would be the use of it?' but she did not say this aloud, for fear of hurting the poor Queen's feelings.

`Your Majesty must excuse her,' the Red Queen said to Alice, taking one of the White Queen's hands in her own, and gently stroking it: `she means well, but she ca'n't help saying foolish things as a general rule.'

The White Queen looked timidly at Alice, who felt she ought to say something kind, but really couldn't think of anything at the moment.

`She never was really well brought up,' the Red Queen went on: `but it's amazing how good-tempered she is! Pat her on the head, and see how pleased she'll be!' But this was more than Alice had courage to do.

`A little kindness--and putting her hair in papers--would do wonders with her--'

The White Queen gave a deep sigh, and laid her head on Alice's shoulder. `I am so sleepy!' she moaned.

`She's tired, poor thing!' said the Red Queen. `Smooth her hair--lend her your nightcap--and sing her a soothing lullaby.'

`I haven't got a nightcap with me,' said Alice, as she tried to obey the first direction: `and I don't know any soothing lullabies.'

`I must do it myself, then,' said the Red Queen, and she began:

`Hush-a-by lady, in Alice's lap!
Till the feast's ready, we've time for a nap.
When the feast's over, we'll go to the ball--
Red Queen, and White Queen, and Alice, and all!

`And now you know the words,' she added, as she put her head down on Alice's other shoulder, `just sing it through to me. I'm getting sleepy, too.' In another moment both Queens were fast asleep, and snoring loud.

`What am I to do?' exclaimed Alice, looking about in great perplexity, as first one round head, and then the other, rolled down from her shoulder, and lay like a heavy lump in her lap. `I don't think it ever happened before, that any one had to take care of two Queens asleep at once! No, not in all the History of England-- it couldn't, you know, because there never was more than one Queen at a time. Do wake up, you heavy things!' she went on in an impatient tone; but there was no answer but a gentle snoring.